Synaptic depression in visual cortex tissue slices: an in vitro model for cortical neuron adaptation

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Abstract
Synaptic depression was assessed from intracellular recordings in cortical tissue slices. Evoked postsynaptic potentials exhibited synaptic depression with an exponential or double exponential decrease (time constants: A receptor-mediated effects. Hyperpolarizing or depolarizing neurons, and pairing polarization with afferent stimulation, also did not affect synaptic depression. This distinguishes these processes from long-term depression and long-term potentiation. Our results suggest that the most likely mechanisms of synaptic depression and adaptation in cortical cells are presynaptic decrease in transmitter release and/or receptor desensitization. Short-term postsynaptic changes may also occur after synaptic depression.