Anatomical and Physiological Plasticity of Dendritic Spines
Abstract
In excitatory neurons, most glutamatergic synapses are made on the heads of dendritic spines, each of which houses the postsynaptic terminal of a single glutamatergic synapse. We review recent studies demonstrating in vivo that spines are motile and plastic structures whose morphology and lifespan are influenced, even in adult animals, by changes in sensory input. However, most spines that appear in adult animals are transient, and the addition of stable spines and synapses is rare. In vitro studies have shown that patterns of neuronal activity known to induce synaptic plasticity can also trigger changes in spine morphology. Therefore, it is tempting to speculate that the plastic changes of spine morphology reflect the dynamic state of its associated synapse and are responsible to some extent for neuronal circuitry remodeling. Nevertheless, morphological changes are not required for all forms of synaptic plasticity, and whether changes in the spine shape and size significantly impact synaptic signals is unclear.
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It is possible that the decreased spine density in older APOE4 mice results from increased spine elimination.
“Because the addition of a new stable spine is a rare event in adult mice (Alvarez and Sabatini, 2007), it is possible that the decreased spine density in older APOE4 mice results from increased spine elimination.”
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 Alvarez and Sabatini, 2007
Spine density reflects the balance between spine formation and elimination.
“However, spine density reflects the balance between spine formation and elimination (Alvarez and Sabatini, 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 Alvarez and Sabatini, 2007
Young mice have many long, thin dendritic protrusions known as filopodia, which may be spine precursors.
“Young mice have many long, thin dendritic protrusions known as filopodia, which may be spine precursors (Alvarez and Sabatini, 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 Alvarez and Sabatini, 2007
In experimental work, dendritic spines that received LTP induction increased in volume, from 50 to 200%, with this increase persisting for more than 1 h following stimulation.
“In experimental work, dendritic spines that received LTP induction increased in volume, from 50 to 200% (Alvarez and Sabatini, 2007), with this increase persisting for more than 1 h following stimulation (Alvarez and Sabatini, 2007).”
From Human Brain/Cloud Interface (2019) · cites this paper as Alvarez and Sabatini, 2007
The geometry of the spine neck determines the rate of calcium efflux into the dendrite shaft and hence the degree of elevation of calcium concentrations within the spine head, following NMDAR activation.
“The geometry of the spine neck determines the rate of calcium efflux into the dendrite shaft and hence the degree of elevation of calcium concentrations within the spine head, following n-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activation (Bloodgood and Sabatini, 2005; Alvarez and Sabatini, 2007; Sheng and Hoogenraad, 2007).”
From Human Brain/Cloud Interface (2019) · cites this paper as Alvarez and Sabatini, 2007
Dendritic morphogenesis, synaptogenesis and continued activity-dependent remodelling of synaptic connections are critical for the development and maintenance of functional neuronal networks.
“Dendritic morphogenesis, synaptogenesis and continued activity-dependent remodelling of synaptic connections are critical for the development and maintenance of functional neuronal networks.11, 12, 13, 14, 15”
From The autism and schizophrenia associated gene CYFIP1 is critical for the maintenance of dendritic complexity and the stabilization of mature spines (2014) · cites this paper as [13]
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 Alvarez and Sabatini, 2007
Both Ca2+ and Ras can regulate synaptic development and plasticity.
“Both Ca 2 þ and Ras can regulate synaptic development and plasticity (Tada and Sheng, 2006;Alvarez and Sabatini, 2007;Harvey et al, 2008).”
From Ral mediates activity‐dependent growth of postsynaptic membranes via recruitment of the exocyst (2013) · cites this paper as Alvarez and Sabatini, 2007
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“Because the addition of a new stable spine is a rare event in adult mice (Alvarez and Sabatini, 2007), it is possible that the decreased spine density in older APOE4 mice results from increased spine elimination.”
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- Authors
- Alvarez, V. A., & Sabatini, B. L.
- Affiliations
- Harvard University (US)
- Venue
- Annual Review of Neuroscience
- Publisher
- Annual Reviews
- Published
- 2007-07-01
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 79-97
- ISSN
- 0147-006X (ISSN-L)
- 1545-4126
- OpenAlex
- W2139392105
- Cited by
- 629
- References
- 18
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 44 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 28 · 2015: 40 · 2014: 51 · 2013: 46 · 2012: 50
- FWCI
- 4.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Annual Review of Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS046579)
- 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, synaptic plasticity, dendritic spine morphology, spine motility, glutamatergic synapses, postsynaptic terminals, sensory input, synaptogenesis, excitatory neurons
- MeSH terms
- Aging, Animals, Brain, Humans, Membrane Potentials, Neural Pathways, Synaptic Transmission, Neuronal Plasticity, Sensation, Synapses, Dendritic Spines
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