Abstract
Synaptic plasticity, the strengthening or weakening of neuronal connections influenced by neuronal activity, underpins memory, and involves changes in synaptic glutamate receptors. Our lab previously demonstrated that the memory-enhancing and neuroprotective neuromodulator, secreted amyloid precursor protein-alpha (sAPPα), induces the synthesis of amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptors and their movement to the neuronal surface. However, sAPPα's effect on N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), which form calcium channels and are also crucial to synaptic plasticity remains unresolved.
We hypothesized that sAPPα would also enhance total surface and synaptic NMDAR expression.