Behavioral time scale synaptic plasticity underlies CA1 place fields
Open accessAbstract
A different form of synaptic plasticity: How do synaptic or other neuronal changes support learning? This subject has been dominated by Hebb's postulate of synaptic change. Although there is strong experimental support for Hebbian plasticity in a number of preparations, alternative ideas have also been developed over the years. Bittner et al. provide in vivo, in vitro, and modeling data to support the view that non-Hebbian plasticity may underlie the formation of hippocampal place fields (see the Perspective by Krupic). Instead of multiple pairings, a single strong Ca 2+ plateau potential in neuronal dendrites paired with spatial inputs may be sufficient to produce place cells. Science , this issue p. 1033 ; see also p. 974
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Active locomotion engages spatial entorhinal inputs onto CA1 pyramidal neurons, and rapid plasticity mechanisms at these distal inputs are thought to support place field formation.
“Active locomotion is known to engage spatial entorhinal inputs onto CA1 pyramidal neurons, and rapid plasticity mechanisms at these distal inputs are thought to support place field formation17,20.”
From Place and behavioral modulation of hippocampal neurons during immobility (2026) · cites this paper as [17]
The passages labeled Abstract report that rapid potentiation of synaptic inputs can form CA1 place fields, including in mice running on a treadmill. They do not establish that active locomotion engages spatial entorhinal inputs or that the plasticity occurs at distal entorhinal inputs; the paper instead discusses position-specific input from CA3 and tests stratum radiatum axons in slices. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredPlace field formation in CA1 neurons is thought to occur via rapid synaptic plasticity mechanisms at distal entorhinal inputs.
“Place field formation in CA1 neurons is thought to occur via rapid synaptic plasticity mechanisms at distal entorhinal inputs16,17.”
From Place and behavioral modulation of hippocampal neurons during immobility (2026) · cites this paper as [17]
The paper reports that CA1 place fields can form rapidly through synaptic potentiation, even in a single trial (Abstract; page not provided). It does not identify the potentiated inputs as distal entorhinal inputs. Its slice experiments instead stimulated stratum radiatum axons, so the input-location detail is unsupported. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredBehavioral timescale synaptic plasticity (BTSP) is responsible for the rapid formation of hippocampal place fields.
“behavioral timescale synaptic plasticity (BTSP) (103–106), which is responsible for the rapid formation of hippocampal place fields.”
From Synaptic memory and CaMKII (2023) · cites this paper as [104]
BTSP is NMDAR dependent and, unlike classical LTP, has a coincidence time window of seconds rather than milliseconds.
“It is NMDAR dependent, but unlike classical LTP the coincidence time window is seconds, not milliseconds.”
From Synaptic memory and CaMKII (2023) · cites this paper as [104]
BTSP has been reproduced in slices, with the plateau potential induced by strong postsynaptic depolarization.
“BTSP has been reproduced in slices (104) (FIGURE 12, A–C). In this case the plateau potential is induced by strong postsynaptic depolarization.”
From Synaptic memory and CaMKII (2023) · cites this paper as [104]
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- Authors
- Bittner, K. C., Milstein, A. D., Grienberger, C., Romani, S., & Magee, J. C.
- Affiliations
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute (US)
- Corresponding author
- Bittner, Katie C.
- Milstein, Aaron D.
- Magee, Jeffrey C.
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 2017-09-08
- Volume
- 357
- Issue
- 6355
- Pages
- 1033-1036
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- PMC
- PMC7289271
- OpenAlex
- W2751166226
- Cited by
- 707
- References
- 37
- Citations by year
- 2026: 104 · 2025: 117 · 2024: 117 · 2023: 82 · 2022: 76 · 2021: 61 · 2020: 56 · 2019: 43 · 2018: 38 · 2017: 12
- FWCI
- 23.40
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- HHMI (award309598)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
- Keywords
- synaptic plasticity, place cells, place fields, hippocampus, CA1, spatial learning, Hebbian plasticity, dendritic calcium signaling
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Calcium, Female, Male, Memory, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Neuronal Plasticity, Long-Term Potentiation, Mice, CA1 Region, Hippocampal
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