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Cited by 78Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchMemory and Neural MechanismsAdvanced Electron Microscopy Techniques and Applications

Nanoscale analysis of structural synaptic plasticity

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Bourne, Jennifer N, Harris, Kristen M·2012·Current Opinion in Neurobiology
DOI 10.1016/j.conb.2011.10.019PMC PMC3292623
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Abstract

Structural plasticity of dendritic spines and synapses is an essential mechanism to sustain long lasting changes in the brain with learning and experience. The use of electron microscopy over the last several decades has advanced our understanding of the magnitude and extent of structural plasticity at a nanoscale resolution. In particular, serial section electron microscopy (ssEM) provides accurate measurements of plasticity-related changes in synaptic size and density and distribution of key cellular resources such as polyribosomes, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and synaptic vesicles. Careful attention to experimental and analytical approaches ensures correct interpretation of ultrastructural data and has begun to reveal the degree to which synapses undergo structural remodeling in response to physiological plasticity.

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  • Several studies have combined two-photon live imaging with post hoc serial sectioning EM to examine the microstructure of spine, for example to directly demonstrate synapse formation associated with the emergence of a new spine during live imaging.

    “Therefore, several studies have combined two-photon live imaging with post hoc serial sectioning EM to examine the microstructure of spine, for example to directly demonstrate synapse formation associated with the emergence of a new spine during live imaging (Trachtenberg et al., 2002; Holtmaat et al., 2006; Bourne and Harris, 2012).”

    From Barriers in the brain: resolving dendritic spine morphology and compartmentalization (2014) · cites this paper as Bourne and Harris, 2012

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  • Different preparation procedures in EM can easily introduce artifacts.

    “In addition, different preparation procedures can easily introduce artifacts (Bourne and Harris, 2012)”

    From Barriers in the brain: resolving dendritic spine morphology and compartmentalization (2014) · cites this paper as Bourne and Harris, 2012

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Authors
Bourne, J. N., & Harris, K. M.
Affiliations
The University of Texas at Austin (US)
Corresponding author
Harris, Kristen M
ORCID
Venue
Current Opinion in Neurobiology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2012-06
Volume
22
Issue
3
Pages
372-382
ISSN
0959-4388 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.conb.2011.10.019
PMC
PMC3292623
OpenAlex
W2166536682
Cited by
78
References
4
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 5
FWCI
0.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Current Opinion in Neurobiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH104319)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS074644, R37NS021184)
  • National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (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 › Structural Biology › Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques and Applications
Keywords
structural synaptic plasticity, dendritic spines, synapses, serial section electron microscopy, synaptic ultrastructure, synaptic remodeling, polysomes, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, synaptic vesicles, learning and memory
MeSH terms
Animals, Dendrites, Humans, Microscopy, Electron, Models, Anatomic, Neuronal Plasticity, Neurons, Synapses, Nanotechnology, Dendritic Spines

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