Dendritic spines as basic functional units of neuronal integration
Abstract
Most excitatory synaptic connections occur on dendritic spines. Calcium imaging experiments have suggested that spines constitute individual calcium compartments, but recent results have challenged this idea. Using two-photon microscopy to image fluorescence with high resolution in strongly scattering tissue, we measured calcium dynamics in spines from CA1 pyramidal neurons in slices of rat hippocampus. Subthreshold synaptic stimulation and spontaneous synaptic events produced calcium accumulations that were localized to isolated spines, showed stochastic failure, and were abolished by postsynaptic blockers. Single somatic spikes induced fast-peaking calcium accumulation in spines throughout the cell. Pairing of spikes with synaptic stimulation was frequently cooperative, that is, it resulted in supralinear calcium accumulations. We conclude: (1) calcium channels exist in spine heads; (2) action potentials invade the spines; (3) spines are individual calcium compartments; and (4) spines can individually detect the temporal coincidence of pre- and postsynaptic activity, and thus serve as basic functional units of neuronal integration.
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The expression of AMPA receptors is controlled independently at the level of the individual spine.
“This observation suggests that the expression of AMPA receptors is controlled independently at a level of the individual spine, consistent with the classical notion that a single spine may behave as an independent chemical compartment to regulate synaptic transmission13, 14.”
From Dendritic spine geometry is critical for AMPA receptor expression in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons (2001) · cites this paper as [14]
Compartmentalization may facilitate spine-specific plasticity and thereby regulate the individual strength of synaptic connections.
“Such compartmentalization may facilitate spine-specific plasticity and thereby regulate the individual strength of synaptic connections (Yuste and Denk, 1995; Matsuzaki et al., 2004; Holtmaat and Svoboda, 2009; Araya et al., 2014).”
From Barriers in the brain: resolving dendritic spine morphology and compartmentalization (2014) · cites this paper as Yuste and Denk, 1995
Pioneering two-photon microscopy of calcium dynamics in slices of hippocampal neurons revealed that synaptic stimulation results in accumulation of calcium ions in single spines.
“Pioneering two-photon microscopy of calcium dynamics in slices of hippocampal neurons revealed that synaptic stimulation results in accumulation of calcium ions in single spines (Yuste and Denk, 1995).”
From Barriers in the brain: resolving dendritic spine morphology and compartmentalization (2014) · cites this paper as Yuste and Denk, 1995
Such synchronous events result in only a short-lasting influx of Ca2+ through NMDA receptors during each spike (<2 μM).
“Given that such synchronous events result in only a short-lasting influx of Ca2+ through NMDA receptors during each spike (<2 μM) (24, 25), postsynaptic spikes must play the key role in the exocytosis of BDNF; for example, involving [Ca2+]i increases in the dendritic shaft via voltage-gated Ca2+ channels.”
From Protein synthesis and neurotrophin-dependent structural plasticity of single dendritic spines (2008) · cites this paper as [24]
Postsynaptic spikes must play the key role in the exocytosis of BDNF.
“Given that such synchronous events result in only a short-lasting influx of Ca2+ through NMDA receptors during each spike (<2 μM) (24, 25), postsynaptic spikes must play the key role in the exocytosis of BDNF; for example, involving [Ca2+]i increases in the dendritic shaft via voltage-gated Ca2+ channels.”
From Protein synthesis and neurotrophin-dependent structural plasticity of single dendritic spines (2008) · cites this paper as [24]
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- Authors
- Yuste, R., & Denk, W.
- Affiliations
- AT&T (United States) (US)
- Venue
- Nature
- Published
- 1995-06
- Volume
- 375
- Issue
- 6533
- Pages
- 682-684
- ISSN
- 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-4687
- OpenAlex
- W1972815737
- Cited by
- 950
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 13 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 32 · 2013: 39 · 2012: 29
- FWCI
- 15.20
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Nature (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Ion channel regulation and function
- Keywords
- dendritic spines, calcium dynamics, neural integration, CA1 pyramidal neurons, hippocampus, calcium channels, action potential propagation, synaptic plasticity
- MeSH terms
- Action Potentials, Animals, Calcium, Cells, Cultured, Dendrites, Differential Threshold, Fluorescent Dyes, Hippocampus, Microscopy, Fluorescence, Organic Chemicals, Synapses, Calcium Channels, Pyramidal Cells, Rats
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