Biomaterial Database

Simultaneous LTP of non-NMDA- and LTD of NMDA-receptor-mediated responses in the nucleus accumbens. 1994

S B Kombian, and R C Malenka

Department of Psychiatry, LPPI, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0984.

The nucleus accumbens (NA), a ventral extension of the striatum, plays a role in several complex behaviour patterns and also is a major site of action of drugs of abuse such as cocaine. Intrinsic NA cells are predominantly quiescent and their activity depends on excitatory input from cortical and subcortical limbic afferents. Here we examine the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity at the synapse between prelimbic cortical afferents and cells in the core region of the NA. Manipulations that induce a Ca(2+)-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) of non-NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate)-receptor-mediated responses also produce a simultaneous long-term depression (LTD) of NMDA-receptor-mediated responses. These results indicate that in a single cell the same change in postsynaptic Ca2+ concentration can have opposite effects on non-NMDA- and NMDA-receptor-mediated synaptic responses. This may be particularly important in the NA, where NMDA receptors are critical for mediating the behavioural actions of drugs of abuse.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D009714	Nucleus Accumbens	Collection of pleomorphic cells in the caudal part of the anterior horn of the LATERAL VENTRICLE, in the region of the OLFACTORY TUBERCLE, lying between the head of the CAUDATE NUCLEUS and the ANTERIOR PERFORATED SUBSTANCE. It is part of the so-called VENTRAL STRIATUM, a composite structure considered part of the BASAL GANGLIA.	Accumbens Nucleus,Nucleus Accumbens Septi,Accumbens Septi, Nucleus,Accumbens Septus, Nucleus,Accumbens, Nucleus,Nucleus Accumbens Septus,Nucleus, Accumbens,Septi, Nucleus Accumbens,Septus, Nucleus Accumbens
D011810	Quinoxalines		Quinoxaline
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D004533	Egtazic Acid	A chelating agent relatively more specific for calcium and less toxic than EDETIC ACID.	EGTA,Ethylene Glycol Tetraacetic Acid,EGATA,Egtazic Acid Disodium Salt,Egtazic Acid Potassium Salt,Egtazic Acid Sodium Salt,Ethylene Glycol Bis(2-aminoethyl ether)tetraacetic Acid,Ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrile)tetraacetic Acid,GEDTA,Glycoletherdiamine-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic Acid,Magnesium-EGTA,Tetrasodium EGTA,Acid, Egtazic,EGTA, Tetrasodium,Magnesium EGTA
D004558	Electric Stimulation	Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses.	Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D000200	Action Potentials	Abrupt changes in the membrane potential that sweep along the CELL MEMBRANE of excitable cells in response to excitation stimuli.	Spike Potentials,Nerve Impulses,Action Potential,Impulse, Nerve,Impulses, Nerve,Nerve Impulse,Potential, Action,Potential, Spike,Potentials, Action,Potentials, Spike,Spike Potential
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013569	Synapses	Specialized junctions at which a neuron communicates with a target cell. At classical synapses, a neuron's presynaptic terminal releases a chemical transmitter stored in synaptic vesicles which diffuses across a narrow synaptic cleft and activates receptors on the postsynaptic membrane of the target cell. The target may be a dendrite, cell body, or axon of another neuron, or a specialized region of a muscle or secretory cell. Neurons may also communicate via direct electrical coupling with ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES. Several other non-synaptic chemical or electric signal transmitting processes occur via extracellular mediated interactions.	Synapse
D015763	2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate	The D-enantiomer is a potent and specific antagonist of NMDA glutamate receptors (RECEPTORS, N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE). The L form is inactive at NMDA receptors but may affect the AP4 (2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate; APB) excitatory amino acid receptors.	2-Amino-5-phosphonopentanoic Acid,2-Amino-5-phosphonovaleric Acid,2-APV,2-Amino-5-phosphonopentanoate,5-Phosphononorvaline,d-APV,dl-APV,2 Amino 5 phosphonopentanoate,2 Amino 5 phosphonopentanoic Acid,2 Amino 5 phosphonovalerate,2 Amino 5 phosphonovaleric Acid,5 Phosphononorvaline