NMDARs in granule cells contribute to parallel fiber–Purkinje cell synaptic plasticity and motor learning
Martijn Schonewille, Allison E. Girasole, Philippe Rostaing, Caroline Mailhes‐Hamon, Annick Ayon, Alexandra Nelson, Antoine Triller, Mariano Casado, Chris I. De Zeeuw, Guy Bouvier
Abstract
-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activation and postsynaptic calcium dynamics. However, the role and the location of NMDAR activation in these pathways is still debated in mature animals. Here, we show in adult rodents that NMDARs are present and functional in presynaptic terminals where their activation triggers NO signaling. In addition, we find that selective genetic deletion of presynaptic, but not postsynaptic, NMDARs prevents synaptic plasticity at parallel fiber-PC (PF-PC) synapses. Consistent with this finding, the selective deletion of GC NMDARs affects adaptation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex. Thus, NMDARs presynaptic to PCs are required for bidirectional synaptic plasticity and cerebellar motor learning.