¹Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Nancy Pritzker Laboratory, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA

Correspondence: Dr RC Malenka, Department of Psychiatry, Stanford Medical Center, 1201 Welch Rd., Rm. P105, Palo Alto, CA 94304-5485, USA. Tel: +1 650 724 2730; Fax: + 1 650 724 2753; E-mail: malenka@stanford.edu

Received 5 June 2007; Revised 1 August 2007; Accepted 1 August 2007; Published online 29 August 2007.

Abstract

Experiences, whether they be learning in a classroom, a stressful event, or ingestion of a psychoactive substance, impact the brain by modifying the activity and organization of specific neural circuitry. A major mechanism by which the neural activity generated by an experience modifies brain function is via modifications of synaptic transmission; that is, synaptic plasticity. Here, we review current understanding of the mechanisms of the major forms of synaptic plasticity at excitatory synapses in the mammalian brain. We also provide examples of the possible developmental and behavioral functions of synaptic plasticity and how maladaptive synaptic plasticity may contribute to neuropsychiatric disorders.