
@article {77438,
	title = {Convolvulus pluricaulis extract can modulate synaptic plasticity in rat brain hippocampus.},
	journal = {Neuroreport},
	volume = {31},
	year = {2020},
	month = {2020 May 22},
	pages = {597-604},
	abstract = {<p>The memory-boosting property of Indian traditional herb, Convolvulus pluricaulis, has been documented in literature; however, its effect on synaptic plasticity has not yet been reported. Two important forms of synaptic plasticity known to be involved in the processes of memory formation are long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). In the present study, the effect of C. pluricaulis plant extract on LTP and LTD were evaluated. The adult male Wistar rats were fed orally with 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of this extract for 4 weeks and the effect was determined on LTP and LTD in the Schaffer collaterals of the hippocampal cornu ammonis region CA1. We found that the 500 mg/kg dose of the extract could significantly enhance LTP compared to the vehicle treated ones. Moreover, the same dose could also reduce LTD while used in a separate set of animals. Also, a fresh group of animals treated with the effective dose (500 mg/kg) of plant extract were examined for memory retention in two behavioral platforms namely, contextual fear conditioning (CFC) and novel object recognition test (NORT). Increased fear response to the conditioned stimulus and enhanced recognition of objects were observed in CFC and NORT, respectively, both indicating strengthening of memory. Following up, ex-vivo electrophysiology experiments were performed with the active single molecule scopoletin, present in C. pluricaulis extract and similar patterns in synaptic plasticity changes were obtained. These findings suggest that prolonged treatment of C. pluricaulis extract, at a specific dose in healthy animals, can augment memory functions by modulating hippocampal plasticity.</p>
},
	issn = {1473-558X},
	doi = {10.1097/WNR.0000000000001446},
	author = {Das, Rishi and Sengupta, Tathagata and Roy, Shubhrajit and Chattarji, Sumantra and Ray, Jharna}
}
@article {8203,
	title = {Chronic but not acute immobilization stress stably enhances hippocampal CA1 metabotropic glutamate receptor dependent Long-Term Depression.},
	journal = {Neurosci Lett},
	volume = {633},
	year = {2016},
	month = {2016 Sep 20},
	pages = {101-105},
	abstract = {<p>Acute stress has been shown to facilitate but not increase metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) mediated Long-Term Depression (LTD) in the hippocampus. However, the effect of chronic stress on mGluR dependent LTD has not been investigated. Moreover, whether stress leads to a transient modification LTD threshold or a more stable change in synaptic plasticity needs to be addressed. In the present study, we have explored the effects of both a ten-day long and a single day immobilization stress protocol on mGluR-LTD at the CA3:CA1synapse in the hippocampus of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, a day after applying stress. Bath application of the selective group 1 mGluR agonist (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) promoted robust LTD in hippocampal slices from control (i.e. un-stressed) animals. Administration of immobility stress for two hours per day for ten days significantly elevated this LTD to a level almost twice that of control, when observed 24h following the last stress event. Acute stress i.e. a single day of two hours of immobilization, however, failed to significantly enhance LTD, 24h later. These results demonstrate for the first time, that repeated exposure to stress, but not a single stress event, is required to bring about a stable alteration in mGluR mediated synaptic plasticity.</p>
},
	issn = {1872-7972},
	doi = {10.1016/j.neulet.2016.09.031},
	author = {Sengupta, Tathagata and Das, Rishi and Chattarji, Sumantra}
}
