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[Involvement of aquaporin-4 in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory.] [Article in Chinese]

WU Xin, GAO Jian-Feng^*

Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450008, China

Abstract

Aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) is the predominant water channel in the central nervous system (CNS) and primarily expressed in
astrocytes. Astrocytes have been generally believed to play important roles in regulating synaptic plasticity and information processing. However, the role of AQP-4 in regulating synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, cognitive function is only beginning to be investigated. It is well known that synaptic plasticity is the prime candidate for mediating of learning and memory. Long term potentiation (LTP) and long term depression (LTD) are two forms of synaptic plasticity, and they share some but not all the properties and mechanisms. Hippocampus is a part of limbic system that is particularly important in regulation of learning and memory. This article is to review some research progresses of the function of AQP-4 in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, and propose the possible role of AQP-4 as a new target in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction.

Key words: aquaporin-4; hippocampus; synaptic plasticity; learning and memory; astrocyte

Received: 2016-11-16　　Accepted: 2016-12-12

Corresponding author: 高剑峰　　E-mail: jc.gjfeng@hotmail.com

Citing This Article：

WU Xin, GAO Jian-Feng. [Involvement of aquaporin-4 in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory.] [Article in Chinese]. Acta Physiol Sin 2017; 69 (3): 335-343 (in Chinese with English abstract).