A lot of studies have demonstrated that NMDAR play an important role in regulating neuronal communication and synaptic function in the CNS.Native NMDARs are composed of NR1,NR2 (A,B,C,and D),and NR3 (A and B) subunits.In adult forebrain regions including the hippocampus and cortex,NR2A and NR2B subunits are predominant to form the NMDA receptor complex with NR1 subunit.It has shown that NR2B subunit is a crucial molecule in controlling the threshold of synaptic plasticity and learning and memory in the mouse brain.Whether does NR2B subunit represent a universal molecular switch in gating the level of synaptic plasticity and memory function in the adult brain? In the present study,we investigated the role of NR2B gene in synaptic plasticity of hippocampus and memory in NR2B transgenic long evans rats by using combination of electrophysiological and behavioral techniques.The main results are as follows:(1) There is no significant difference in basal synaptic transmission and PPF between transgenic and wild-type hippocampal slice,suggesting that both presynaptic function and postsynaptic AMPA receptors are normal in these transgenic animals.