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Our lecture is about monitoring
synoptic function using
multiplex imaging.
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Our aim is to try and understand
basic synaptic mechanisms
that underpin brain function.
We know that memory
formation in the brain
involves changes in the strength
of synaptic connections.
These changes normally
occur either through
an altered postsynaptic receptor
current, i.e.
postsynaptic signal,
or altered synaptic fidelity,
neurotransmitter release
probability or both.
There is a growing evidence that
0:44
variations in neurotransmitter
release probability
are key for neural coding.
This is because there are an
enormous repertoire of advantages
of having this release probability
operator, if you like.
First of it's got digital
outcome, yes or no.
It could display a long term,
steady-state plasticity,
it displays use and time
dependent short term plasticity,
it undergoes network dependent
presynaptic control,
but also all the above.
You can see the
theoretical background
for these statements
in that paper.
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Neurotransmitter
release is controlled
by presynaptic calcium entry,
and our aim is
therefore to monitor
both neurotransmitter
release and
presynaptic calcium
dynamics simultaneously.
This could be achieved using
advanced methods of
fluorescence microscopy.