Transgenic Mice with Chronic NGF Deprivation and Alzheimer's Disease-Like Pathology Display Hippocampal Region-Specific Impairments in Short- and Long-Term Plasticities

Short-term plasticity deficits at the SC–CA1 and MPP–DG synapses of fully symptomatic (11–13 months) AD11 mice. A, SC–CA1 synapse input–output curves (fEPSP slopes versus increasing afferent FV amplitudes) were similar in aged-matched WT and AD11 mice (n = slices, N= mice). B, SC–CA1 synapse PPRs (fEPSP2 slope/fEPSP1 slope) were similar in WT and AD11 mice at all ISIs examined. C, Synaptic facilitation during repeated stimulation (15 pulses at 40 Hz) was significantly reduced at the SC–CA1 synapse from the fifth stimulus onwards in AD11 compared to WT mice (normalized to first response of train). D, MPP–DG synapse input–output curves were similar in WT and AD11 mice. E, PPR was altered, displaying increased depression, at the MPP–DG synapse of AD11 compared to WT mice. F, Synaptic depression during repeated stimulation (15 pulses at 40 Hz) was increased at the MPP–DG synapse from the fifth stimulus onwards in AD11 compared to WT mice (normalized to first response of train). Representative traces of fEPSP recordings of responses at FV intensities 100–300 μV (A, D), of PPR (all ISIs) (B, E), and of the train of fEPSPs (C, F) are shown above graphs for WT and AD11 mice. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01.