Dendritic spines: from structure to in vivo function

Abstract

EMBO reports VOL 13 | NO 8 | 2012 699 review review Dendritic spines arise as small protrusions from the dendritic shaft of various types of neuron and receive inputs from excitatory axons. Ever since dendritic spines were first described in the nineteenth century, questions about their function have spawned many hypotheses. In this review, we introduce understanding of the structural and biochemical properties of dendritic spines with emphasis on components studied with imaging methods. We then explore advances in in vivo imaging methods that are allowing spine activity to be studied in living tissue, from super-resolution techniques to calcium imaging. Finally, we review studies on spine structure and function in vivo. These new results shed light on the development, integration properties and plasticity of spines.

In-vivo administration of clozapine affects behaviour but does not reverse dendritic spine deficits in the 14-3-3ζ KO mouse model of schizophrenia-like disorders

“…It is possible that the in vivo environment examined in our study prevented or procrastinated the morphological changes seen in vitro. Differences between in vivo and in vitro observations of dendritic spine function are well recognised in the field (Rochefort and Konnerth, 2012). Alternatively, a longer treatment period or higher doses of clozapine may have led to different results.…”

Differential Protein Expression in the Nucleus Accumbens and Amygdala of Lewis and Fischer 344 Rats, and its Relevance in Drug Addiction

“…Indeed, LEW rats have fewer dendritic spines in the hippocampus than F344 rats [11] and given that actin is the main structural protein of dendritic spines [29], it is tempting to speculate that the differences that we found in ACTB might be related, at least in part, to the fewer hippocampal dendritic spines found in LEW rats.…”

Nuclear Calcium Signaling Induces Expression of the Synaptic Organizers Lrrtm1 and Lrrtm2

“…The ability of neurons to undergo structural and functional changes in response to synaptic stimulation is not only important for brain development but also forms the basis for virtually all adaptive processes in the adult nervous system, including information storage, memory formation, the buildup of neuroprotection, and the development of chronic pain (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Gene programs activated by synaptic stimuli are required for adaptations to be persistent (4,9).…”