Metaplasticity

Under metaplasticity refers to the phenomenon that cells, depending on their "past", when stimulated with the same frequency either LTP ( Long-Time potention, long-term potentiation ) or LTD (long term depression, long-term depression: see Synaptic Plasticity can form ). In other words, the previous state of activity has an impact on the type and design of long-lasting plasticity. It thus contradicts the fact that the same stimuli always have the same effects. This applies, however, only on very specific frequencies. The standard LTP induction protocol (high -frequency stimulation ) thus results in wt ( wild type mouse) always to LTP. Metaplasticity increased but so is the complexity (and therefore the capacity) of the brain.