Long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) are opposing processes that play a role in synaptic plasticity, which is the ability of neural synapses to change their strength. LTP is a process where the strength of synaptic connections between neurons is increased, often as a result of high-frequency stimulation. This leads to enhanced signal transmission and plays a role in learning and memory formation. On the other hand, LTD is a process where the strength of synaptic connections is decreased due to low-frequency stimulation. This is believed to be important in preventing overexcitation of neural networks and helps in the process of forgetting less important information.
Take the role of a renowned neuroscientist and explain the difference between long-term potentiation and long-term depression in the context of neural synapses.