AMPA receptor regulation and the reversal of synaptic plasticity - LTP, LTD, depotentiation, and dedepression

Bidirectional regulation of the strength of specific synapses is critical for proper formation of neural circuits and information storage in the nervous system. Reversible regulation of AMPA receptor function has emerged as one of the crucial events that mediate bidirectional synaptic plasticity. There is evidence that regulation of AMPA receptor synaptic localization and phosphorylation of its subunits is critical in both long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). However, the mechanisms of synaptic potentiation and depression may vary depending on the prior history of synaptic activity. This review will compare the molecular mechanisms of LTP and LTD to their reversal counterparts (i.e., dedepression and depotentiation) in the context of AMPA receptor regulation.