Effects of changes in dynamic equilibrium in microtubule and microfilament systems on the plastic responses of neurons.

Studies were carried out on the effects of disruption and stabilization of microtubules and microfilaments on the formation of neuronal plastic responses in isolated nerve cells of the mollusk Lymnaea stagnalis. Disruption of these cytoskeletal elements prevented the development of neuronal plastic responses. Microtubule stabilization produced a dynamic relationship between the development and retention of neuronal plastic responses and series of stimuli. Stabilization of microfilaments blocked the development but promoted the retention of these neuronal responses.