Induction of NMDA receptor-dependent long-term depression in visual cortex does not require metabotropic glutamate receptors

We tested the role of group I mGluRs in the induction of long-term depression (LTD) in the visual cortex, using the novel mGluR antagonist LY341495 and mice lacking mGluR5, the predominant phosphoinositide (PI)- linked mGluR in the visual cortex. We find that LY341495 is a potent blocker of glutamate-stimulated PI hydrolysis in visual cortical synaptoneurosomes, and that it effectively antagonizes the actions of the mGluR agonist 1S,3R- aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (ACPD) on synaptic transmission in visual cortical slices. However, LY341495 has no effect on the induction of LTD by low-frequency stimulation. Furthermore, mice lacking mGluR5 show normal NMDA receptor-dependent LTD. These results indicate that group I mGluR activation is not required for the induction of NMDA receptor-dependent LTD in the visual cortex.