ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effects of NMDA receptors and nitric oxide (NO) on neural cell adhesion molecule(NCAM) synthesis during hippocampal long term potentiation (LTP) induction in vitro . Methods LTP induction and maintenance were tested by using extracelluar electrophysiological recording. The synthesis of NCAM protein was detected by Western blotting. Results Application of conditioned stimulation induced LTP and a rise in NCAM at 10 min. NCAM protein level continued to rise while LTP remained stably at 60 min. The NMDA receptor inhibitor AP 5 and the NO synthase inhibitor N nitro arginine inhibited the LTP induction and the increase in the NCAM synthesis. Conclusion The changes in NCAM synthesis during hippocampal LTP induction in vitro may be involved in NMDA receptors and NO.