Long-term depression in hippocampal interneurons: Joint requirement for pre- and postsynaptic events

Long-term depression (LTD) is a well-known form of synaptic plasticity of p rincipal neurons in the mammalian brain. Whether such changes occur in inte rneurons is still controversial. CA3 hippocampal interneurons expressing Ca 2+-permeable AMPA receptors exhibited LTD after tetanic stimulation of CA3 excitatory inputs. LTD was independent of NMDA receptors and required both Ca2+-influx through postsynaptic AMPA receptors and activation of presynapt ic mGluR7-Like receptors. These results point to the capability of interneu rons to undergo plastic changes of synaptic strength through joint activati on of pre- and postsynaptic glutamate receptors.