What is the Difference Between Long-term Depression and Long-term Potentiation?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Long-term depression (LTD) and long-term potentiation (LTP) are both forms of synaptic plasticity, which involve enduring changes in synaptic strength, induced by specific patterns of synaptic activity. They are essential for information storage and memory formation in the central nervous system (CNS). However, there are several differences between them:
- Direction of change: LTD is an activity-dependent reduction in the efficacy of neuronal synapses, while LTP is the long-lasting increase of synaptic strength.
- Occurrence: LTD can result from strong synaptic stimulation or persistent weak synaptic stimulation, while LTP is the opposing process that involves strengthening synapses.
- Function: LTD serves to selectively weaken specific synapses in order to make their overall function more efficient, whereas LTP strengthens synapses to improve their efficiency.
- Discovery: LTD was first discovered by Tim Bliss and Terje Lomo in 1973, while LTP was first discovered by Terje Lomo in 1966.
Both LTD and LTP rely on similar molecular mechanisms and are believed to represent cellular correlates of learning and memory. They have been extensively studied for their potential roles in memory and cognition, and their molecular and cellular mechanisms are well-characterized.
Comparative Table: Long-term Depression vs Long-term Potentiation
Long-term depression (LTD) and long-term potentiation (LTP) are both forms of synaptic plasticity, which are enduring changes in synaptic strength induced by specific patterns of synaptic activity. They play crucial roles in learning, memory, and information storage in the central nervous system. Here is a table comparing the differences between LTD and LTP:
| Feature | Long-term Depression (LTD) | Long-term Potentiation (LTP) |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | LTD is the process of reduction in the efficacy of neuronal synapses that last for an extended period. | LTP is the process of strengthening neuronal synapses based on recent activity. |
| Direction of Synaptic Strength Change | Synaptic connections between neurons are weakened. | Synaptic connections between neurons are strengthened. |
| Role in Memory | LTD is believed to be involved in forgetting or weakening of less relevant synaptic connections. | LTP is believed to be involved in learning and memory formation by enhancing the connections between stimulated neurons. |
| Discovery | LTD was first discovered by Tim Bliss and Terje Lomo in 1973. | LTP was first discovered by Terje Lomo in 1966. |
In summary, the key difference between LTD and LTP is the direction of change in synaptic strength: LTD weakens the synaptic connections, while LTP strengthens them. Both processes are essential for learning, memory, and information storage in the brain.
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