LTP
Q. Which statement best describes the glutamate response in respect to ion flows in AMPA and NMDA receptors?
a. AMPA receptors contribute to the early phase of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) by allowing Na⁺ influx, while NMDA receptors contribute to the late phase once the Mg²⁺ block is removed.
b. NMDA receptors are responsible for the peak amplitude of EPSCs, while AMPA receptors only contribute to the late phase of synaptic currents.
c. Both AMPA and NMDA receptors are equally active in the presence of glutamate, with no differences in ion flow.
d. Only AMPA receptors contribute to synaptic responses, while NMDA receptors have no measurable effect.
a. AMPA receptors contribute to the early phase of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) by allowing Na⁺ influx, while NMDA receptors contribute to the late phase once the Mg²⁺ block is removed.
Q. LTD is best described by which of the following statements?
a. LTD is the decreased probability of presynaptic neurotransmitter release
b. LTD is the sustained reduction in postsynaptic response
c. LTD is the loss of ALL glutamate receptors from the postsynaptic membrane
d. LTD is the inactivation of ALL calcium channels in the neuron
b. LTD is the sustained reduction in postsynaptic response
Q. What best describes a seizure?
a. A brief drop in glutamate release that reduces postsynaptic firing
b. A sudden, abnormal synchronization and overactivity within a population of cortical neurons
c. A temporary block of calcium channels in excitatory neurons
d. A shift from inhibitory to excitatory transmission in the brainstem
b. A sudden, abnormal synchronization and overactivity within a population of cortical neurons
A promoter for pan-neuronal expression (all neurons)
What is hSYN or hSYN1 or hSynapsin
Q: Which of the following viral vectors has the largest capacity for genetic material?
a. Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV)
b. Lentivirus
c. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Amplicon
d. Rabies Virus
c. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Amplicon
Q. You have designed an experiment to induce LTP at a certain synapse. Which of the following is a sign that LTP has been induced?
a. There are more NMDA receptors at the postsynaptic cell.
b. There are more AMPA receptors at the postsynaptic cell.
c. There is increased glutamate release from the presynaptic cell.
d. Mg2+ is unblocked from NMDA receptors.
b. There are more AMPA receptors at the postsynaptic cell.
Q. In STDP what happens when the postsynaptic neuron fires before the presynaptic neuron, within 20-50ms?
a. Lower calcium levels levels activate phosphatases like phosphatases like calcineurin, leading to AMPAR internalization and synaptic weakening
b. High calcium levels activate kinases like CaMKII, leading to AMPAR insertion and synaptic strengthening
c. The synapse weakens due to lack of glutamate binding to AMPARs, preventing NMDAR activation
d. The mistimed activity leads to a general decrease in glutamate receptor expression across the neuron
a. Lower calcium levels levels activate phosphatases like phosphatases like calcineurin, leading to AMPAR internalization and synaptic weakening
Q. What is the key difference between a seizure and epilepsy?
a. Epilepsy affects the entire brain; seizures are always localized
b. Epilepsy involves abnormal GABA function, but seizures do not
c. A seizure can occur once due to fever or trauma; epilepsy involves repeated, unprovoked seizures
d. A seizure is a single event; epilepsy refers to a disorder of recurrent, spontaneous seizures
d. A seizure is a single event; epilepsy refers to a disorder of recurrent, spontaneous seizures
A Cre-driver line specifc for expression in inhibitory cerebellar neurons
What is PV-Cre
Q: Which viral vector shows the fastest speed of expression, making it useful when rapid gene delivery is needed?
a. AAV
b. HSV Amplicon
c. Lentivirus
d. All express at the same rate
b. HSV Amplicon
Q. Describe the pathway of the laminate hippocampal formation.
Perforant fiber pathway ⇒ Dentate gyrus ⇒ Ca3 ⇒ Schaffer collateral-commissural pathway ⇒ Ca1
Q. Explain how AMPA and NMDA receptors work together to initiate synaptic plasticity events like LTP or LTD.
AMPARs open first, allowing Na⁺ influx
This causes membrane depolarization
Depolarization removes the Mg²⁺ block from NMDARs
NMDARs can then open, allowing Ca²⁺ influx
The level and timing of Ca²⁺ entry determines whether LTP or LTD occurs
Q. How is kainic acid used in experimental models of TLE, and what does it simulate?
Injected into unilateral dorsal hippocampus
Produces spontaneous, recurrent seizures
Mimics features of human hippocampal sclerosis
Common in rodent models to study TLE and test treatments
The type of recombination reaction this vector when expressed in the appropriate driver line will undergo
[IMAGE]
Answer is FLEXing or FLEX reaction - Floxing is not specific enough
Q: What are two major limitations of using stimulating electrodes or lesions in neuroscience research?
Poor spatial precision: can unintentionally activate neurons outside the target area
Poor temporal control: can’t finely control when neurons are activated
Off-target effects: can lead to confounding biological effects or misinterpretation
Slow onset: in methods like pharmacology, the time course is long