Synaptic Plasticity in Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Summary
Synaptic plasticity—the ability of neural connections to adapt in strength and efficacy—is fundamental to learning, memory and emotional regulation. At the molecular level, long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) at excitatory synapses sculpt neural circuits in response to experience. Dysregulation of these processes is increasingly implicated in the pathophysiology of major neuropsychiatric conditions. In depression and stress-related disorders, reduced LTP-like responses have been linked to impaired mood regulation and cognitive dysfunction. In schizophrenia, deficits in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated plasticity appear to underlie core symptoms such as working memory impairment and sensory gating anomalies. Translational studies have employed non-invasive measures—visual evoked potentials (VEPs), theta oscillation analysis and stimulus-selective response modulation—to probe synaptic adaptability in humans. Neuroimaging and electrophysiological indices reveal that neuroplastic deficits may serve as both state markers of active illness and trait markers of vulnerability. Globally, understanding synaptic plasticity in these disorders has driven the search for novel biomarkers and targeted therapeutics, including modulators of glutamatergic signalling and neuromodulation approaches. Such advances promise to refine diagnosis, monitor treatment response and usher in personalised interventions that restore adaptive circuit function across diverse populations.
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Synaptic Plasticity in Neuropsychiatric Disorders publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in synaptic plasticity in neuropsychiatric disorders across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Synaptic plasticity: The capacity of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time in response to activity.
Long-term potentiation (LTP): A durable increase in synaptic strength following high-frequency stimulation.
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor: A subtype of glutamate receptor critical for calcium-mediated synaptic plasticity.
Visual evoked potential (VEP): An electrical response in the visual cortex elicited by a visual stimulus.
Theta oscillations: Rhythmic brain waves in the 4–8 Hz range associated with memory and plasticity.
References
- Long-Term Potentiation-Like Visual Synaptic Plasticity Is Negatively Associated With Self-Reported Symptoms of Depression and Stress in Healthy Adults. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (2022).
- Impaired Potentiation of Theta Oscillations During a Visual Cortical Plasticity Paradigm in Individuals With Schizophrenia. Frontiers in Psychiatry (2020).
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