Structural synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus induced by spatial experience and its implications in information processing

Introduction: Long-lasting memory formation requires that groups of neurons processing new information develop the ability to reproduce the patterns of neural activity acquired by experience. Development: Changes in synaptic efficiency let neurons organise to form ensembles that repeat certain activity patterns again and again. Among other changes in synaptic plasticity, structural modifications tend to be long-lasting which suggests that they underlie long-term memory. There is a large body of evidence supporting that experience promotes changes in the synaptic structure, particularly in the hippocampus. Conclusion: Structural changes to the hippocampus may be functionally implicated in stabilising acquired memories and encoding new information. (C) 2012 Sociedad Espanola de Neurologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.