Age-dependent decrease of synaptic plasticity in the neocortex of alphaCaMKII mutant mice.

Kirkwood, A; Silva, A; Bear, M F · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · 1997

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) were studied in the visual cortex of mutant mice lacking alpha-calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (alphaCaMKII). In adult mutants, little LTD or LTP could be elicited using standard conditioning protocols. However, substantial LTD and LTP were induced in 4- to 5-week-old mutants. Thus, the reduction in cortical plasticity in alphaCaMKII (-/-) mice is conditional, with the relevant condition being postnatal age.

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