Intrinsic and synaptic plasticity in the vestibular system.

Full Abstract

The vestibular system provides an attractive model for understanding how changes in cellular and synaptic activity influence learning and memory in a quantifiable behavior, the vestibulo-ocular reflex. The vestibulo-ocular reflex produces eye movements that compensate for head motion; simple yet powerful forms of motor learning calibrate the circuit throughout life. Learning in the vestibulo-ocular reflex depends initially on the activity of Purkinje cells in the cerebellar flocculus, but consolidated memories appear to be stored downstream of Purkinje cells, probably in the vestibular nuclei. Recent studies have demonstrated that the neurons of the vestibular nucleus possess the capacity for both synaptic and intrinsic plasticity. Mechanistic analyses of a novel form of firing rate potentiation in neurons of the vestibular nucleus have revealed new rules of plasticity that could apply to spontaneously firing neurons in other parts of the brain.

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Author information

Author/s: Gittis, Aryn H (AH); du Lac, Sascha (S);

Affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.

Grants: EY11027 (Agency:NEI NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Current opinion in neurobiology (Curr Opin Neurobiol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Aug; vol 16 (issue 4) : pp 385-90

Dates: Created 2006/08/07; Completed 2006/11/01; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 16842990, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Action Potentials - physiology
Animals
Cerebellar Cortex - physiology
Humans
Learning - physiology
Neuronal Plasticity - physiology

Neuronal Plasticity - physiology
Neurons - physiology
Postural Balance - physiology
Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular - physiology
Vestibular Nuclei - physiology
Vestibule, Labyrinth - physiology

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