In silico investigation of the puzzling dopamine effects on excitability and synaptic plasticity in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons.

ABSTRACT: It has been shown that in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, dopamine modulates memory functions by influencing spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) and intrinsic neuronal properties. Although experimental findings have suggested potential mechanisms, their detailed interplay remains incompletely understood. Here, using a realistic CA1 pyramidal neuron model, we have investigated the possible effects of dopaminergic modulation on a neuron's signal integration and synaptic plasticity processes. The results suggest a physiological plausible explanation for the puzzling experimental observation that long-term potentiation (LTP) increases in spite of a reduction in the neuron's excitability, and explains why physiological dopamine levels are necessary for LTP induction. The model suggests

SUBMITTER: Manara E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12464202 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature