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Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

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Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

Introduction

[Long-Term Potentiation](/mechanisms/long-term-potentiation) (LTP) and its counterpart Long-Term Depression (LTD) represent the primary cellular mechanisms underlying learning and memory. This page explores how these fundamental synaptic plasticity processes are disrupted in neurodegenerative diseases, with particular focus on Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), and related tauopathies.

Overview

[Long-term potentiation](/mechanisms/long-term-potentiation) (LTP) is a persistent strengthening of synapses based on recent patterns of activity, first described by Bliss and Lømo in 1973[^1]. It is one of the major cellular mechanisms underlying learning and memory[^2]. The discovery of LTP established a biological substrate for Hebb's postulate ("[neurons](/entities/neurons) that fire together, wire together") and remains the leading model for understanding how experience shapes neural circuits[^3].

Long-term depression (LTD) is the opposite process—a persistent weakening of synaptic strength. LTD is equally important for neural circuit refinement and memory flexibility. Both LTP and LTD require precise calcium signaling, and dysregulation of this signaling is a hallmark of neurodegenerative disease[^4].[@pmid2023]

Molecular Mechanisms of LTP

Induction Phase

LTP induction involves several key molecular steps:

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