[Long-term potentiation in the neurons of the edible snail]

Abstract

A brief high-frequency stimulation of the anal nerve of the isolated nerve ring of snail Helix induced a pronounced increase in the amplitude of EPSPs, evoked in identified neurons of left parietal and visceral ganglions by low frequency (once in 5 min) stimulation of the same nerve. The amplitude of EPSP returned to the control level 30-120 min after tetanization. We called this effect long-term potentiation. A brief application of serotonin (10 microM) in the majority of neurons also induced lasting either 15-30 min or more than 2 hours facilitation of EPSP, evoked by anal nerve stimulation. Intracellular cAMP injections, being without effect on EPSP amplitude in many neurons, in certain neurons caused an increase in EPSP amplitude, lasting up to 30 min. It is suggested that the 3 factors shown to increase synaptic efficiency in molluscan neurons may have common mechanisms of action.