Document Detail


Rapid alteration of synaptic number and postsynaptic thickening length by NMDA: an electron microscopic study in the occipital cortex of postnatal rats.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  1831299     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor has been widely implicated in numerous activity-dependent models of neural plasticity, learning, and memory. The formation of new synapses is a major assumption of the neural basis of learning. The current research was conducted to determine whether NMDA receptor activation could induce synaptic formation and, if so, whether this ability would mirror developmental changes in NMDA receptors. Rats at various developmental ages were given a single intraperitoneal injection of NMDA and sacrificed at various brief postinjection intervals (0.5-2 hr). The rats showed an age-dependent decline in the behavioral response to NMDA, as evidenced by reduced seizure activity and duration. Quantitative electron microscopic observations on the molecular layer of the occipital cortex, an area rich in NMDA receptors, revealed a transient increase in the length of postsynaptic thickenings in 17- and 35-day-old animals, appearing within 0.5 hr of injection. At 1 and 2 hr postinjection, an increase in synaptic density (number of synapses) was observed in 8-day-old animals. These results provide evidence that NMDA administration alone is capable of rapidly inducing alterations in synaptic structure and the formation of new synapses, underscoring the importance of the NMDA receptor in synaptogenesis and synaptic structural plasticity.
Authors:
W J Brooks; T L Petit; J C LeBoutillier; R Lo
Related Documents :
10482399 - Antillatoxin and kalkitoxin, ichthyotoxins from the tropical cyanobacterium lyngbya maj...
7693919 - The modulation of n-methyl-d-aspartate receptors by redox and alkylating reagents in ra...
12724619 - A microsatellite repeat in the promoter of the n-methyl-d-aspartate receptor 2a subunit...
7682659 - Pb2+ modulates the nmda-receptor-channel complex.
21390329 - Anaesthetic impairment of immune function is mediated via gaba(a) receptors.
1385829 - Identification of a novel n-methyl-d-aspartate receptor population in the rat medial th...
3614769 - Clonidine prevents the short-term down regulation of muscarinic receptors in mouse brai...
10482399 - Antillatoxin and kalkitoxin, ichthyotoxins from the tropical cyanobacterium lyngbya maj...
7693919 - The modulation of n-methyl-d-aspartate receptors by redox and alkylating reagents in ra...
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Synapse (New York, N.Y.)     Volume:  8     ISSN:  0887-4476     ISO Abbreviation:  Synapse     Publication Date:  1991 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1991-09-16     Completed Date:  1991-09-16     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8806914     Medline TA:  Synapse     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  41-8     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aging
Animals
Lethal Dose 50
Male
Microscopy, Electron
N-Methylaspartate / pharmacology*,  toxicity
Neuronal Plasticity / drug effects*
Neurons / drug effects,  physiology*,  ultrastructure
Occipital Lobe / drug effects,  growth & development*,  ultrastructure
Rats
Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / physiology
Synapses / drug effects,  physiology*,  ultrastructure
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; 6384-92-5/N-Methylaspartate

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  New ideas and improved instrumentation for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Next Document:  Olfactory deprivation increases dopamine D2 receptor density in the rat olfactory bulb.