Synaptic Plasticity and Learning in Animal Models of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Table 1

Overview of available data on synaptic plasticity and memory.

Animal model	Synaptic plasticity	Learning and memory	References
𝑇𝑠𝑐2^+/− rat (Eker rat)	Reduced theta-burst stimulation-induced early phase LTP at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses. Reduced low-frequency stimulation-induced LTD at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses.	Enhanced episodic-like memory (water maze, radial maze). Mildly reduced exploration behavior (open field, novel object recognition, social exploration). No difference in anxiety-related behavior (light/dark box). No difference in hippocampus-dependent learning behavior (fear conditioning, water maze).	[26–28]
𝑇𝑠𝑐2^+/− mouse	Enhanced tetanus-induced late phase LTP at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses. No difference in tetanus-induced early phase LTP at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses. Reduced mGluR-dependent LTD at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses.	Reduced hippocampus-dependent learning behavior (water maze, radial maze, context fear conditioning).	[29, 30]
Dominant negative Tsc2 mutant mouse (ΔRG mouse)	Reduced mGluR-dependent LTD at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses.	Increased anxiety-related behavior (elevated plus maze). Mildly impaired hippocampus-dependent learning behavior (water maze, context fear conditioning). Impaired social interaction.	[31–33]
Tsc1 ^GFAP CKO mouse	Reduced tetanus-induced early phase LTP at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses.	Reduced hippocampus-dependent learning behavior (water maze, context fear conditioning).	[34]
Virus-injected mouse (Tsc1-deletion in CA1 neurons)	Reduced mGluR-dependent LTD at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses.		[35]
𝑇𝑠𝑐1^+/− mouse		Reduced hippocampus-dependent learning behavior (water maze, context fear conditioning).	[36]