Do thin spines learn to be mushroom spines that remember?
Abstract
Dendritic spines are the primary site of excitatory input on most principal neurons. Long-lasting changes in synaptic activity are accompanied by alterations in spine shape, size and number. The responsiveness of thin spines to increases and decreases in synaptic activity has led to the suggestion that they are 'learning spines', whereas the stability of mushroom spines suggests that they are 'memory spines'. Synaptic enhancement leads to an enlargement of thin spines into mushroom spines and the mobilization of subcellular resources to potentiated synapses. Thin spines also concentrate biochemical signals such as Ca(2+), providing the synaptic specificity required for learning. Determining the mechanisms that regulate spine morphology is essential for understanding the cellular changes that underlie learning and memory.
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The mushroom shaped spine is relatively stable and mature among the four types of spines.
“The mushroom shaped spine is relatively stable and mature among the four types of spines1617.”
Mushroom spines represent more stable synaptic connections (memory spines), whereas thin spines are more dynamic and respond to changes in synaptic connections (learning spines).
“It has been proposed that mushroom spines represent more stable synaptic connections (memory spines), whereas thin spines are more dynamic and respond to changes in synaptic connections (learning spines) (Bourne and Harris, 2007).”
From Differential Effects of ApoE Isoforms on Dendritic Spines<i>In Vivo</i>: Linking an Alzheimer's Disease Risk Factor with Synaptic Alterations (2010) · cites this paper as Bourne and Harris, 2007
In response to changes in synaptic activity, neurons can alter both pre- and postsynaptic elements of the synapse, including the number, size, and shape of dendritic spines.
“In response to changes in synaptic activity, neurons can alter both pre-and postsynaptic elements of the synapse, including the number, size, and shape of dendritic spines (Kennedy and Ehlers, 2006;Alvarez and Sabatini, 2007;Bourne and Harris, 2007;Hanus and Ehlers, 2008;Newpher and Ehlers, 2009;Kasai et al, 2010).”
From Ral mediates activity‐dependent growth of postsynaptic membranes via recruitment of the exocyst (2013) · cites this paper as Bourne and Harris, 2007
LTP increases spine volume, a process that requires the addition of membranes whose source remains largely unknown.
“In particular, LTP increases spine volume, a process that requires the addition of membranes whose source remains largely unknown”
From Ral mediates activity‐dependent growth of postsynaptic membranes via recruitment of the exocyst (2013) · cites this paper as Bourne and Harris, 2007
Spine morphology correlates with synaptic strength and structural plasticity.
“Spine morphology correlates with synaptic strength and structural plasticity; for instance, thin spines are highly motile and likely to respond to activity-induced changes, whereas mushroom spines have larger post-synaptic densities (PSDs) and are more stable [13], [14].”
From Arf4 Determines Dentate Gyrus-Mediated Pattern Separation by Regulating Dendritic Spine Development (2012) · cites this paper as [14]
Mushroom spines contain more AMPA and NMDA receptors than other spine types, and these receptors are critical for strengthening synaptic connections.
“Mushroom spines contain more AMPA and NMDA receptors than other spine types, and these receptors are critical for strengthening synaptic connections [14].”
From Arf4 Determines Dentate Gyrus-Mediated Pattern Separation by Regulating Dendritic Spine Development (2012) · cites this paper as [14]
Mushroom spines have larger postsynaptic densities (PSDs) and more glutamate receptors than thin spines, making the synapse functionally stronger and more stable.
“Mushroom spines have larger postsynaptic densities (PSDs) and more glutamate receptors than thin spines, making the synapse functionally stronger and more stable [14], [23].”
From Arf4 Determines Dentate Gyrus-Mediated Pattern Separation by Regulating Dendritic Spine Development (2012) · cites this paper as [14]
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“Mushroom spines have larger postsynaptic densities (PSDs) [1], which anchor more AMPA glutamate receptors and make these synapses functionally stronger [8–12].”
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“It has been proposed that mushroom spines represent more stable synaptic connections (memory spines), whereas thin spines are more dynamic and respond to changes in synaptic connections (learning spines) (Bourne and Harris, 2007).”
Background
- Authors
- Bourne, J., & Harris, K. M.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas at Austin (US)
- Corresponding author
- Harris, Kristen M
- Venue
- Current Opinion in Neurobiology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2007-06
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 381-386
- ISSN
- 0959-4388 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2111155182
- Cited by
- 843
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 35 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 35 · 2023: 54 · 2022: 54 · 2021: 66 · 2020: 62 · 2019: 61 · 2018: 43 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 51 · 2015: 55 · 2014: 56 · 2013: 44 · 2012: 38
- FWCI
- 2.53
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Current Opinion in Neurobiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS033574, NS21184, NS33574)
- National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (EB002170, R01EB002170)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Keywords
- dendritic spines, mushroom spines, dendritic spine morphology, synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, calcium signaling, synaptic specificity, excitatory synapses
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Calcium, Computer Simulation, Memory, Models, Molecular, Neuronal Plasticity, Neurons, Synapses, Dendritic Spines
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