LTP

LTP is a multi-use acronym that can refer to topics in science, public planning, and beyond. The most widely cited meaning in neuroscience is Long-Term Potentiation, a lasting strengthening of synapses following high-frequency stimulation. This form of synaptic plasticity is considered a fundamental mechanism underlying learning and memory. It was first demonstrated in the hippocampus by Timothy Bliss and Terje Lømo in 1973 and is commonly studied with electrophysiological methods. In many systems, NMDA receptor–dependent LTP requires coincident pre- and postsynaptic activity and calcium influx to trigger intracellular signaling cascades, including CaMKII and receptor trafficking changes. LTP can be expressed at pre- or postsynaptic sites and may involve multiple maintenance phases, from early to late LTP that depends on protein synthesis. Research continues to explore its roles in memory formation and neurological disease, while recognizing that LTP is one form of synaptic plasticity alongside other processes such as long-term depression (LTD).

Local Transport Plan, another common meaning of LTP, is a planning framework used by local government authorities in some countries, notably the United Kingdom, to outline transport strategies, policies, and capital investments over a multi-year period. LTPs are designed to align local objectives with national transport policy, establish performance targets, and guide funding decisions for infrastructure, public transit, road safety, and related services. They are periodically updated and coordinated with national programs and funding cycles.

Because LTP can refer to multiple, unrelated concepts, recognizing the intended meaning depends on context. Other, less widely used uses exist in business, technology, or education, but the two above are among the most prominent in their respective fields.

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