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

Nature volume 368, pages 242–246 (1994)Cite this article

Abstract

THE nucleus accumbens (NA), a ventral extension of the striatum, plays a role in several complex behaviour patterns1 and also is a major site of action of drugs of abuse such as cocaine1–3. Intrinsic NA cells are predominantly quiescent4,5 and their activity depends on excitatory input from cortical and subcortical limbic afferents6,7. Here we examine the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity at the synapse between prelimbic cortical afferents and cells in the core region of the NA8–10. Manipulations that induce a Ca2+-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 abuse11–13.

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Author notes

  1. Robert C. Malenka: To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Affiliations

  1. Departments of Psychiatry and Physiology, University of California, LPPI, Box 0984, San Francisco, California, 94143-0984, USA

    Samuel B. Kombian & Robert C. Malenka

Authors
  1. Samuel B. Kombian
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  2. Robert C. Malenka
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Kombian, S., Malenka, R. Simultaneous LTP of non-NMDA- and LTD of NMDA-receptor-mediated responses in the nucleus accumbens. Nature 368, 242–246 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1038/368242a0

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