Objective
There have been considerable advances in our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying NMDAR-dependent LTP and LTD. Less attention has been focused on a particularly intriguing finding: The capacity of synapses for plastic changes is itself plastic, that is, it is subject to considerable activity-dependent modulation.
This higher-order plasticity, termed 'metaplasticity', may be crucial for maintaining plastic synapses within a dynamic functional range. It also provides an additional layer of complexity for synaptic integration of temporally spaced episodes of synaptic activity.
Such metaplasticity has been observed experimentally as an inhibition of LTP or change in the frequency threshold between LTP and LTD by prior activation of NMDARs, or as a facilitation of LTP following either the activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors or the alteration of a behavioural state.
Despite its functional importance, metaplasticity has been studied exclusively at synapses that require postsynaptic activation of NMDAR s for LTP and LTD induction, such as the Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapse within the hippocampus.
In contrast, LTP induction at the hippocampal mossy fiber-CA3 synapse, as well as at a number of other synapses, is thought to rely mainly on presynaptic mechanisms Accordingly, the experiments in the current proposal will utilize the mossy fiber-CA3 synapse as a model to study metaplasticity of presynaptic LTP and LTD.
We plan to study the following four phenomena:
- priming-induced metaplasticity at the mossy-fiber CA3 synapse,
- the Ca2+ influx pathways mediating presynaptic metaplasticity,
- the signal transduction mechanisms underlying presynaptic metaplasticity, and
- he role of metaplasticity in spatial learning and memory.
These lines of research should clarify the mechanisms of presynaptic metaplasticity and also provide new insights into the role of metaplasticity in learning and memory.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkaline earth metals
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-7
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
IIF - Marie Curie actions-Incoming International Fellowships
Coordinator
BONN
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.