Characterization of the time course of changes of the evoked electrical activity in a model of a chemically-induced neuronal plasticity

Background Neuronal plasticity is initiated by transient elevations of neuronal networks activity leading to changes of synaptic properties and providing the basis for memory and learning [1]. An increase of electrical activity can be caused by electrical stimulation [2] or by pharmacological manipulations: elevation of extracellular K+ [3], blockage of inhibitory pathways [4] or by an increase of second messengers intracellular concentrations [5]. Neuronal plasticity is mediated by several biochemical pathways leading to the modulation of synaptic strength, density of ionic channels and morphological changes of neuronal arborisation [6]. On a time scale of a few minutes, neuronal plasticity is mediated by local protein trafficking [7] while, in order to sustain modifications beyond 2–3 h, changes of gene expression are required [8].