Synaptic consolidation: An approach to long-term learning

Abstract

Synaptic plasticity is thought to be the basis of learning and memory, but it is mostly studied on the time-scale of mere minutes. This review discusses synaptic consolidation, a process that enables synapses to retain their strength for a much longer time (days to years), instead of returning to their original value. The process involves specific plasticity-related proteins, and depends on the dopamine D1/D5 receptors. Here, we review the research on synaptic consolidation, describing electrophysiology experiments, recent modeling work, as well as behavioral correlates. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012.