Effects of changes in glucose concentration on synaptic plasticity in hippocampal slices

The effects of a low or high concentration of glucose in the perfusion medi um on synaptic activity and plasticity were studied in hippocampal slices f rom rats. Low-glucose medium depressed the field excitatory post-synaptic p otentials (fEPSP) significantly, whereas high-glucose medium had little eff ect on the fEPSP. Tetanization of the afferent fibres elicited significant potentiation (LTP) of synaptic activity irrespective of the glucose concent ration in the medium. This may indicate that LTP induction does not depend on optimal neural transmission. Paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) experiments showed that the medium glucose concentration did not significantly influen ce potentiation of the second response. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.