Synaptic plasticity in the subiculum

The subiculum is the principal target of CA1 pyramidal cells. It functions as a mediator of hippocampal–cortical interaction and has been proposed to play an important role in the encoding and retrieval of long-term memory. The cellular mechanisms of memory formation are thought to include long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD) of synaptic strength. This review summarizes the contemporary knowledge of LTP and LTD at CA1–subiculum synapses. The observation that the underlying mechanisms of LTP and LTD at CA1–subiculum synapses correlate with the discharge properties of subicular pyramidal cell reveals a novel and intriguing mechanism of cell-specific consolidation of hippocampal output.