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Long-Term Potentiation and Long-Term Depression

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Long-term potentiation strengthens a repeatedly used synapse by inserting more receptors; long-term depression weakens an underused one by removing them — the cellular basis of learning and memory.

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NMDA receptor activation from rapid repeated stimulation drives AMPA receptor insertion, strengthening that synapse's response.

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LTD is not simple synaptic failure — pruning weak connections sharpens the relative strength of ones that underwent LTP.