Spatiotemporal specificity of synaptic plasticity: cellular rules and mechanisms

Abstract. Recent experimental results on spike-timingdependent plasticity (STDP) and heterosynaptic interaction in various systems have revealed new temporal and spatial properties of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. These results challenge the conventional understanding of Hebb's rule and raise intriguing questions regarding the fundamental processes of cellular signaling. In this article, I review these new findings that lead to formulation of a new set of cellular rules. Emphasis is on evaluating potential molecular and cellular mechanisms that may underlie the spike-timing window of STDP and different patterns of heterosynaptic modifications. I also highlight several unresolved issues, and suggest future lines of research.

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2002
• Where: BC
• Authors: Guo-Qiang Bi
• Keywords: Activity-dependent Synaptic Plasticity, BC 2002, Heterosynaptic Interaction, Spike-timingdependent Plasticity