Stimulation Paradigms
We are looking at a different kind of short-term plasticity ranging from millisecond to several minutes. Those changes are mainly modifications in the presynaptic neuron capacity to release neurotransmitters (quantal release). One aspect that changes the quantal release is the Ca2+ influx modifying the release probability from facilitation to depression (compare A, B, C from top to bottom).
A. Paired Pulse Stimulation is a simple protocol that allows testing by twins pulses at different inter-pulse intervals the quantal release probability.
B. Tetanic Stimulation is a sustained protocol that allows testing the dynamic of presynaptic vesicle trafficking which is recruited and mobilized for priming to sustain the quantal release.
C. Short-Term Synaptic Memory protocol combines a non-conditioning period of stimulation or test stimulation which usually ranks from 0.1 to 1Hz. The paradigm compares the quantal release before and after a conditioning period which usually ranks from 5 to 50Hz. After the release is perturbated its returns to a baseline in a few minutes.
D. Retrograde Plasticity is a complex protocol that compares the spontaneous quantal release before and after a theta-burst, a 100Hz stimulation period repeated fourth times. The paradigm allows enough postsynaptic Ca2+ influx to induce the release of the retrograde signaling.