Free Radicals Accelerate the Decay of Long-Term Potentiation in Field CA1 of Guinea-Pig Hippocampus

Abstract

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a persistent increase in monosynaptic efficacy following a high frequency train. Because the potentiation can last for hours or even days in vivo, this electrophysiological phenomenon has been considered to be a correlate of memory and learning. The biochemical changes that underlie LTP are complex, possibly involving a number of second messenger systems. Free radicals and active oxygen compounds (e.g. peroxide, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals) are normally generated with cellular metabolism but are well controlled by intrinsic enzyme systems and antioxidants. Under certain pathological conditions, this delicate balance can be disrupted. Free radicals are thought to contribute to a number of diseases such as ischemic injury, aluminum toxicity, Alzheimer's disease and Down's syndrome, all of which affect cognitive processes.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA242652

Entities

People

  • G. E. Hollinden
  • J. M. Sarvey
  • T. C. Pellmar

Organizations

  • Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Amplitude
  • Analysis Of Variance
  • Animals
  • Cells
  • Couplings
  • Experimental Data
  • Free Radicals
  • Frequency
  • High Gain
  • Intensity
  • Laboratory Animals
  • Peroxides
  • Probability
  • Rocket Oxidizers
  • Rodents
  • Transmitters

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Immunology and Pathology
  • Neuroscience