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| Open AccessFunctional and multiscale 3D structural investigation of brain tissue through correlative in vivo physiology, synchrotron microtomography and volume electron microscopy
The function of biological tissues is encoded in their physiology and structure. Here, Bosch et al. have integrated both insights to study specific neuronal circuits by combining in vivo light, synchrotron X-ray and volume electron microscopy.
- Carles Bosch
- , Tobias Ackels
- & Andreas T. Schaefer
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| Open AccessDopamine D2 receptor regulates cortical synaptic pruning in rodents
Synaptic pruning is important during development and synaptic plasticity. Here, the authors show that the dopamine D2 receptor (Drd2) in the anterior cingulate cortex regulates synaptic pruning, affecting LTD and behaviour in transgenic rats.
- Ya-Qiang Zhang
- , Wei-Peng Lin
- & Dong-Min Yin
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Article
| Open AccessEndoplasmic reticulum visits highly active spines and prevents runaway potentiation of synapses
In hippocampal pyramidal cells, a subset of dendritic spines contain endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here, the authors show that ER enters dendritic spines in a non-random manner, during high synaptic activity with the function of limiting synaptic strength.
- Alberto Perez-Alvarez
- , Shuting Yin
- & Thomas G. Oertner
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| Open AccessREM sleep promotes experience-dependent dendritic spine elimination in the mouse cortex
Sleep plays an important role in learning and memory. Here the authors show that experience dependent elimination of spines is attenuated by REM sleep deprivation.
- Yanmei Zhou
- , Cora Sau Wan Lai
- & Wen-Biao Gan
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| Open AccessKetamine disinhibits dendrites and enhances calcium signals in prefrontal dendritic spines
The authors show that a subanesthetic dose of ketamine markedly elevate calcium signals in apical dendritic spines in the mouse prefrontal cortex. This effect is driven by a local-circuit mechanism that involves the suppression of somatostatin interneurons leading to dendritic disinhibition.
- Farhan Ali
- , Danielle M. Gerhard
- & Alex C. Kwan
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| Open AccessAltered dendritic spine function and integration in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome
Fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorders are associated with circuit hyperexcitability, however, its cellular and synaptic bases are not well understood. Here, the authors report abnormal synaptogenesis with an increased prevalence of polysynaptic spines with normal morphology in a mouse model of fragile X.
- Sam A. Booker
- , Aleksander P. F. Domanski
- & Peter C. Kind
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Article
| Open AccessAnatomy and function of the vertebral column lymphatic network in mice
The lymphatic vasculature is essential to maintain fluid homeostasis and immune surveillance, including in the brain where lymphatic vessels were only recently identified. Here, Jacob et al. provide an anatomical map of lymphatic vessels in the vertebral column, where they find these contribute to fluid drainage and immune responses.
- Laurent Jacob
- , Ligia Simoes Braga Boisserand
- & Jean-Leon Thomas
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| Open AccessMicroglia remodel synapses by presynaptic trogocytosis and spine head filopodia induction
Direct visualization of microglia-mediated synapse pruning has been lacking. This study shows direct evidence of microglia-synapse interaction where microglia do not necessarily ‘eat’ post-synaptic structure but ‘nibble’ on pre-synaptic terminals, much akin to trogocytosis by lymphocytes.
- Laetitia Weinhard
- , Giulia di Bartolomei
- & Cornelius T. Gross
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| Open AccessTargeting Tyro3 ameliorates a model of PGRN-mutant FTLD-TDP via tau-mediated synaptic pathology
Progranulin (PGRN) mutations cause frontotemporal lobe dementia with TDP-43 pathology. Here the authors develop a mutant PGRN knock-in mouse model of the disease, and show that Tyro3, a tyrosine kinase membrane receptor that acts upstream of PKC and MAPK, is inhibited by PGRN which contributes to pathology in this model.
- Kyota Fujita
- , Xigui Chen
- & Hitoshi Okazawa
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Article
| Open AccessHotspots of dendritic spine turnover facilitate clustered spine addition and learning and memory
Structural remodeling of dendritic spines is thought to be a mechanism of memory storage. Here, the authors look at how spine turnover and clustering predict future learning and memory performance, and see that a genetically modified mouse with enhanced spine turnover has enhanced learning.
- Adam C. Frank
- , Shan Huang
- & Alcino J. Silva
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| Open AccessLhx1/5 control dendritogenesis and spine morphogenesis of Purkinje cells via regulation of Espin
Purkinje cells (PCs) receive signals from different inputs through their extensively branched dendrites and dysregulation of this process leads to ataxia and other diseases. Here the authors show that the LIM-homeodomain transcription factors Lhx1 and Lhx5 govern dendritogenesis and dendritic spine morphogenesis in postnatal PCs through regulating Espin expression.
- Nga Chu Lui
- , Wing Yip Tam
- & Kin Ming Kwan
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Article
| Open AccessThe calcium sensor Copine-6 regulates spine structural plasticity and learning and memory
Learning and memory depend on the structural and functional plasticity of synapses. Reinhard et al. show that the calcium sensor Copine-6 is required for memory, controls spine structure by regulating Rac signalling, and through its modulation of actin, supports hippocampal LTP.
- Judith R. Reinhard
- , Alexander Kriz
- & Markus A. Ruegg
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| Open AccessLocation-dependent synaptic plasticity rules by dendritic spine cooperativity
Inputs to functionally related synapses have been suggested to show cooperative summation, although the rules governing these interactions are unclear. Here, Weber et al. uncover non-linear interactions dependent on NMDAR signalling that vary across the proximal-distal axis of individual dendrites.
- Jens P. Weber
- , Bertalan K. Andrásfalvy
- & Judit K. Makara
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Article
| Open AccessCSF-contacting neurons regulate locomotion by relaying mechanical stimuli to spinal circuits
CSF-contacting neurons are known to project to locomotor CPGs although their relevance to active locomotion is unclear. Here, the authors show that these cells constitute a mechanosensory organ relying on PKD2L1 channels to detect spinal cord curvature and modulate locomotor frequency in freely moving animals.
- Urs Lucas Böhm
- , Andrew Prendergast
- & Claire Wyart
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| Open AccessElectrical behaviour of dendritic spines as revealed by voltage imaging
Dendritic spines located on individual neurons process information, but our understanding of the electrical behaviour of spines is still limited. Here, the authors use voltage-sensitive dye imaging techniques to monitor electrical signals from thin basal spines and show that synapses are not electrically isolated by the spine neck.
- Marko A. Popovic
- , Nicholas Carnevale
- & Dejan Zecevic
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| Open AccessVoxel-based morphometry predicts shifts in dendritic spine density and morphology with auditory fear conditioning
Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) involves comparisons of high resolution structural images of the brain between groups, but what causes changes in the VBM signal is unclear. Here the authors perform a VBM study of Thy1-YFP mice following auditory fear conditioning and propose that the signal changes can be partially explained by increases in dendritic spine density.
- O. P. Keifer Jr
- , R. C. Hurt
- & K. J. Ressler
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Article
| Open AccessA role for Kalirin-7 in nociceptive sensitization via activity-dependent modulation of spinal synapses
The development of chronic inflammatory pain is linked with functional and structural modifications in nociceptive synapses. Here the authors demonstrate that Kalrinin-7 forms an essential link between synaptic receptors and cytoskeletal elements to functionally modify spinal nociceptive synapses.
- Jianning Lu
- , Ceng Luo
- & Rohini Kuner
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| Open AccessmiR-26a and miR-384-5p are required for LTP maintenance and spine enlargement
Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a form of synaptic plasticity that results in enhanced synaptic strength. Here, the authors demonstrate that miR-26a and miR-384-5p affect the maintenance, but not induction, of LTP as well as spine enlargement by regulating the expression of RSK3.
- Qin-Hua Gu
- , Danni Yu
- & Zheng Li
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Extracellular matrix inhibits structural and functional plasticity of dendritic spines in the adult visual cortex
Neuronal connectivity in the mature brain is stabilized by the extracellular matrix. This study shows that degradation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in the matrix increases connectivity in the adult cortex by causing a large increase in motility and functional plasticity of dendritic spines.
- L. de Vivo
- , S. Landi
- & G.M. Ratto
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Involvement of PGC-1α in the formation and maintenance of neuronal dendritic spines
PGC-1α regulates mitochondrial biogenesis and adaptive thermogenesis. Cheng and colleagues alter the expression of PGC-1α in primary neuronal cultures and in the adult mouse brain, and find that it regulates dendritic spine formation and maintenance by mediating the synaptogenic actions of BDNF and CREB.
- Aiwu Cheng
- , Ruiqian Wan
- & Mark P. Mattson
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| Open AccessDendritic spine formation and synaptic function require neurobeachin
Most excitatory synapses in the brain are found on dendritic spines, but the mechanisms underlying synapse formation are poorly understood. Niesmannet al. investigate the role of neurobeachin in synaptogenesis, and find that its deletion leads to fewer spinous synapses and altered postsynaptic currents.
- Katharina Niesmann
- , Dorothee Breuer
- & Markus Missler