Associative learning with odors can increase synaptic currents evoked by association fiber stimulation (Saar et al., 2002), as well as dendritic spine density in regions of the apical dendritic where association fibers terminate (Knafo et al., 2001).

Furthermore, this learning induced synaptic potentiation interferes with in vitro induction of long-term potentiation and enhances predisposition toward long-term depression induction, suggesting a common mechanism selleck chemicals llc with NMDA dependent long-term potentiation (Lebel et al., 2001). In addition to the intrinsic association fibers, in some circumstances afferent synapses can also express long-term potentiation (Patil et al., 1998, Poo and Isaacson, 2007, Roman et al., 1993 and Sevelinges et al., 2004). Synaptic plasticity at this synapse appears to be most robust in very young animals (Best and Wilson, 2003 and Poo and Isaacson, 2007) or in situations which elevate acetylcholine (Patil et al., 1998), though the magnitude of this plasticity still does not reach that expressed mTOR inhibition by association fiber synapses (see Development below). However, while afferent synapses show reduced long-term potentiation, they do show robust and behaviorally important short-term depression (Best and Wilson, 2004). The piriform cortex displays

rapid adaptation to stable odor input (Wilson, 1998a), and this cortical adaptation to odor is associated with afferent synaptic depression recorded intracellularly, in vivo (Wilson, 1998b). The recovery of odor responses occurs within about 2 min, as does the ADP-ribosylation synaptic depression (Best and Wilson, 2004). This cortical adaptation is mediated by pre-synaptic metabotropic receptors (group III) which reduce glutamate release from mitral/tufted cell axons during repetitive stimulation (Best and Wilson, 2004). Pharmacological blockade of mGluRIII receptors within the piriform cortex prevents afferent synaptic depression, cortical odor adaptation, and short-term behavioral habituation (Bell et al., 2008, Best et al., 2005 and Yadon and Wilson, 2005). Noradrenergic inputs to piriform cortex can also reduce synaptic

depression (Best and Wilson, 2004), potentially via presynaptic beta receptors on mitral cell axons. Activation of noradrenergic beta receptors can inhibit mGluRIII receptor function via a protein kinase A dependent phosphorylation (Cai et al., 2001). Loud sounds which elevate norepinephrine within the piriform cortex (Smith et al., 2009) can induce dishabituation of odor-evoked behavioral responses (Smith et al., 2009). The behavioral dishabituation is blocked by intra-cortical infusion of the noradrenergic beta receptor antagonist propranolol (Smith et al., 2009). The synaptic depression is homosynaptic, leaving afferent inputs conveying information from other nonactive mitral/tufted cells (and glomeruli) intact (Best and Wilson, 2004).