Question 5: READ paper and Answer
Slutsky et al, 2010. Enhancement of Learning and Memory by Elevating Brain Magnesium. 65: 165.

5.1 LTP (10pt)
Fig. 5C and D show the effect of long-term magnesium supplementation (MgT) on hippocampal LTP. Based on what you learned in class, do these results surprise you? Explain and justify your response. (roughly 2 sentences)

5.2 Pairing protocol (10pt)
Technically, they did not use a traditional LTP induction protocol to produce Fig. 5C and D. Instead they “paired” stimulation of pre- and post-synaptic cells: the pre-synaptic cell was stimulated, and then the post-synaptic cell was stimulated 10ms after the EPSP. What do you predict might have occurred in the control rats if they had done this protocol backwards, with the post-synaptic cell stimulated first? Justify your response. (roughly 1-2 sentences)

5.3 Water maze (12pt)
What do Fig. 3A-C and E-G tell you about how spatial learning in young and old rats? More precisely, what do their experiments tell you about:
- How learning differs between young and old rats normally;
- How learning differs between 1 hour and 24 hours normally;
- How learning differs with magnesium supplementation.
In your response, refer to specific pieces of data in the graphs. (roughly 3-6 sentences)

5.4 Increased p-CAMKII (10pt)
Fig. 4C shows an increase in NMDAR levels in rats treated with long-term magnesium supplementation. Why does Fig. 4D show increases in p-CamKII and p-CREB levels but not CamKII or CREB levels? Justify your response with the molecular mechanism for how the increases occurred. (roughly 3-6 sentences)

5.5 AMPARs (10pt)
Considering the results in Fig. 5C and D, would you expect an increase in AMPARs overall? Justify your response. (roughly 2-3 sentences)
5.6 Pre-synaptic NMDARs (10pt)

At some synapses, there are NMDARs at the presynaptic terminal. How would activating these, for example by delivering a burst of action potentials presynaptically, alter neurotransmitter release? Justify your response. (roughly 1 sentence)

5.7 Synaptic facilitation (8pt)
In Fig. 5B, the scientists claim to measure synaptic facilitation. How do they know that it’s synaptic facilitation? Justify your response. (roughly 1 sentence)

Question 5: READ paper and Answer Slutsky et al, 2010. Enhancement...