long-term potentiation
LONG TURM poh-ten-shee-AY-shun
lɒŋ tɜːm pəˌtɛnʃiˈeɪʃənListen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
Dictionary meaning
a long-lasting strengthening of synaptic connections following repeated or intense stimulation of a synapse; the primary cellular mechanism underlying learning and memory formation; first described by Timothy Bliss and Terje Lømo (1973) in the hippocampus; depends on NMDA and AMPA glutamate receptors; the biological substrate of the Hebbian principle: 'neurons that fire together, wire together'
Examples
- Long-term potentiation is the cellular basis of how we form lasting memories.
- Repeated practice triggers long-term potentiation, physically altering synaptic strength.
No significant pronunciation difference between American and British English for this term.
Synonyms: LTP, synaptic strengthening
Pronunciation tips
Potentiation (from Latin potentia, power) means making something more powerful. LTP literally makes synapses stronger and more responsive.
Learn one new pronunciation a day
Get a word, name or idiom like “long-term potentiation” in your inbox — daily or weekly, free. Unsubscribe any time.