Figure 2.

Differential effects of stress hormones on AMPA receptor trafficking. During the initial phase after stress exposure when norepinephrine (NE) are rapidly and reversible released activation of β-ARs and corticosteroid hormones via MRs modulate synaptic function; release probability, lateral diffusion, synaptic incorporation of GluR1/2 containing AMPA receptors, and (threshold for) LTP is enhanced. These effects require non-genomic actions. Second, corticosteroid levels slowly rise, return to baseline, but these hormones can have persistent genomic actions via GR activation. Via GR activation these hormones increase synaptic incorporation of GluR2/3 containing AMPA receptors, increase lateral diffusion, and suppress LTP.