Hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) is one of the best-studied models
of learning and memory at the molecular level. While it has long been known
that tetanic stimulation causes changes at the synapse within seconds to m
inutes, recent research has begun to focus on factors that may affect synap
tic plasticity on a longer time scale. One group of factors with many of th
e characteristics predicted for both short- and long-term actions at the sy
napse is the cytokines and growth factors. In vitro, these proteins can alt
er neuronal morphology, gene expression, and proliferation, and many cytoki
nes and their receptors are present in the adult CNS. Because brain-derived
neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the best-studied synaptic modulator of this
class, we begin by discussing the experimental evidence linking BDNF to LTP
. Ten cytokines and growth factors that have been examined in the context o
f hippocampal LTP are then considered. We discuss the effects of LTP on the
expression of the cytokines and explore the regulation of synaptic plastic
ity by exogenous application or antagonist perturbation of these proteins.
The available evidence strongly supports a role for these factors in synapt
ic modulation and should prompt further exploration of their functions at t
he synapse.