Preparation of Synaptosomes from the Motor Cortex of Motor Skill Trained Mice.

Learning and memory are thought to occur due to changes in synaptic strength. Strengthening of synapses due to Long Term Potentiation mechanisms are mediated by increases in synaptic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) levels. Here we describe a protocol to isolate and quantify synaptic AMPAR subunit GluA1 levels from the motor cortex of mice which have undergone motor skill training.