Age-dependent decrease of synaptic plasticity in the neocortex of αCaMKII mutant mice

Synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) were studied in the visual cortex of mutant mice lacking α-calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (αCaMKII). In adult mutants, little LTD or LTP could be elicited using standard conditioning protocols. However, substantial LTD and LTP were induced in 4- to 5-week-old mutants. Thus, the reduction in cortical plasticity in αCaMKII (−/−) mice is conditional, with the relevant condition being postnatal age.