What effect does posttetanic potentiation have on memory retrieval?

Posttetanic potentiation is a phenomenon related to synaptic transmission, where brief periods of intense stimulation can enhance the efficiency of synaptic transmission for a time after the stimulation has ceased. This enhancement occurs due to increased availability of neurotransmitters and greater receptor sensitivity, which can facilitate synaptic responses.

When considering memory retrieval, the concept of posttetanic potentiation supports the idea that once a memory has been encoded and stored, its subsequent retrieval can be more efficient. Specifically, this means that when minimal stimulation is applied—such as a related cue or context that reminds a person of the original information—the retrieval process is strengthened. This allows individuals to access memories more easily as their synaptic connections are more responsive after experiencing potentiation. As a result, the defining characteristic of posttetanic potentiation—an increased likelihood of effective synaptic firing with less input—correlates with the ease of memory recovery that minimal stimulation can achieve.