Synaptic plasticity

Agenda
• Synaptic plasticity
 Neuromodulation
• Change the strength of synapses
and change the intrinsic properties
of neurons (usually involving GPCR).
• Slow time course!
Synaptic plasticity
 Synaptic plasticity
• Changes the efficacy of synaptic transmission (or
strength of synaptic ‘connections’)

Example: strength of
the synapse
increased
 Goals
• Define synaptic plasticity
• Explain how synaptic plasticity influences the gill
withdrawal reflex in Aplysia
Habituation and sensitization in Aplysia
Eric Kandel (1929-

“If you want to understand the

brain you’re going to have to
take a reductionist approach,
one cell at a time.”
 Habituation in Aplysia

This is (see blue arrow)

A. Habituation
B. Sensitization
 Habituation in Aplysia

This is (see blue arrow)

A. Habituation
B. Sensitization
 Habituation in Aplysia
Simple forms of learning

Habituation (follow blue arrow): response to same

stimulus declines
 Sensitization in Aplysia
Simple forms of learning

A shock to the tail sensitizes the response

 Habituation and sensitization in Aplysia
Simple forms of learning

This is (see blue arrow)

A. Habituation
B. Sensitization
 Goals
• Explain how synaptic plasticity influences the gill
withdrawal reflex in Aplysia. Focus on:
– Habituation and sensitization
– Role of serotonin
– Short and long term sensitization
 Habituation in Aplysia

This is (see blue arrow)

A. Habituation
B. Sensitization
depression

Formulate two competing hypotheses

that could underlie habituation
 Habituation due to reduced synaptic
transmission
• Reduced transmission between sensory neuron and
motor neuron (synaptic depression)
• Caused by changes in the presynaptic (sensory) neuron.
– What causes the presynaptic (sensory neuron) to release fewer
NT?

This is (see blue arrow)

A. Habituation
B. Sensitization
depression
 Sensitization in Aplysia
Sensitization caused by serotonin
from modulatory neuron
Sensitization in Aplysia

5-HT

Release of serotonin (5HT) !!!

 Serotonin sensitizes the reflex
• Involves presynaptic neuron
• Involves a modulatory neuron releasing serotonin
» Binds to receptors →
» PKA inactivates K+ channels →
»  AP duration →
»  Ca2+ influx (increased Ca2+ influx) →
»  neurotransmitter release by sensory neuron

» Increased excitation of motor neuron!

 Serotonin sensitizes the reflex
Summary:
• Habituation is due to depletion of transmitter
vesicles
• Serotonin signaling increases calcium influx.
• This increased intracellular calcium compensates
for depletion of transmitter vesicles
Short term and long term
potentiation
Long-term sensitization also involves cAMP
signaling
• Slower genomic responses, adding more synaptic terminals
(transcriptional changes)
• Note phosphorylation of CREB, changes in gene expression

Serotonin
receptor

*cAMP response element binding protein

is phosphorylated
 Neuromodulation
• Change the strength of synapses
and change the intrinsic properties
of neurons (usually involving GPCR).
• Slow time course!
 Goals
• Explain how synaptic plasticity influences the gill
withdrawal reflex in Aplysia. We discussed:
– Habituation and sensitization
– Role of serotonin
– Short- and long-term sensitization (both involve cAMP)