Calcineurin is required for TRPV1-induced long-term depression of hippocampal interneurons.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) mediates a novel form of presynaptic long-term depression (LTD) in hippocampal interneurons. To date, while TRPV1 is currently being heavily studied in the PNS for its anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties, much less is known regarding TRPV1 signaling and function in the CNS, including the mechanism mediating hippocampal interneuron LTD. Here we performed whole-cell voltage clamp electrophysiology experiments on CA1 hippocampal interneurons from Sprague-Dawley male rats to identify this signaling mechanism.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 agonists modulate hippocampal CA1 LTP via the GABAergic system.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) was shown to modulate hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cell synaptic plasticity, including long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). Synaptic plasticity is the cellular mechanism thought to mediate declarative learning and memory in the hippocampus. Although TRPV1 is involved in modulating hippocampal plasticity, it has yet to be determined how TRPV1 mediates its effects.

A novel non-CB1/TRPV1 endocannabinoid-mediated mechanism depresses excitatory synapses on hippocampal CA1 interneurons.

Endocannabinoids (eCBs) mediate various forms of synaptic plasticity at excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the brain. The eCB anandamide binds to several receptors including the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1). We recently identified that TRPV1 is required for long-term depression at excitatory synapses on CA1 hippocampal stratum radiatum interneurons.