Neuronal Transporters Regulate Glutamate Clearance, NMDA Receptor Activation, and Synaptic Plasticity in the Hippocampus

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4845-09.2009
• Publication Date: 2009-11-19T00:01:28Z
• Authors: Annalisa Scimemi; Hua Tian; Jeffrey S. Diamond
• Keywords: Synaptic cleft

In the mammalian brain, specificity of excitatory synaptic transmission depends on rapid diffusion glutamate away from active synapses and powerful uptake capacity transporters in astrocytes. The extent to which neuronal influence lifetime extracellular space remains unclear. Here we show that EAAC1, predominant transporter at hippocampal area CA1, buffers released during events prolongs time course its clearance by EAAC1 does not significantly alter activation receptors cleft. Instead, it reduces recruitment perisynaptic/extrasynaptic NR2B-containing NMDARs, thereby facilitating induction long-term potentiation short bursts high-frequency stimulation. We describe novel roles regulating propose NMDARs different subsynaptic locations can make distinct contributions regulation strength.