Long-Term Potentiation
Calcium/ calmodulin dependent protein kinase II is also heavily implicated in long-term potentiation (LTP) – the molecular process of strengthening active synapses that is thought to underlie the processes of memory. It is involved in many aspects of this process. LTP is initiated when the NMDA receptors (which act as “molecular coincidence receptors” and allow this process to be the result of BOTH pre- and post-synaptic neuron activation) allow Ca2+ into the post synaptic neuron. This Ca2+ influx activates CaMKII. It has been shown that there is an increase in CaMKII activity directly in the post synaptic density of dendrites after LTP induction, suggesting that activation is a direct result of stimulation.
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