Synaptic plasticity control refers to the precise regulation of the strength and number of connections between neurons, a fundamental process that underlies learning, memory formation, and the brain’s ability to adapt to new information. This control involves the modulation of long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), determining how efficiently neural circuits encode and retain information. Hormones and neurotrophic factors play a significant, regulatory role in maintaining this critical neurological function.
Origin
The term is a cornerstone of modern neuroscience, formalizing the concept that the brain is not a static organ but one that constantly reorganizes its neural connections based on experience. The clinical concept of “control” stems from the ability to influence these molecular mechanisms through pharmacological, hormonal, or lifestyle interventions.
Mechanism
Control is exerted through the coordinated action of various signaling molecules that influence the insertion or removal of neurotransmitter receptors, particularly NMDA and AMPA receptors, at the postsynaptic membrane. Neurotrophic factors, such as BDNF, are critical for promoting the structural changes required for long-term synaptic stability. Steroid hormones, including estrogen and testosterone, directly influence the expression of these neurotrophic factors and the morphology of dendritic spines, thereby regulating the capacity for learning and memory.
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