Dendritic spines: from structure to <i>in vivo</i> function

DOI Web Site Web Site Web Site Web Site 5 Citations
  • Nathalie L Rochefort
    Institute of Neuroscience & Center for Integrated Protein Science, Technical University Munich Biedersteinerstrasse 29 80802 Munich Germany
  • Arthur Konnerth
    Institute of Neuroscience & Center for Integrated Protein Science, Technical University Munich Biedersteinerstrasse 29 80802 Munich Germany

Search this article

Description

<jats:p>Dendritic spines arise as small protrusions from the dendritic shaft of various types of neuron and receive inputs from excitatory axons. Ever since dendritic spines were first described in the nineteenth century, questions about their function have spawned many hypotheses. In this review, we introduce understanding of the structural and biochemical properties of dendritic spines with emphasis on components studied with imaging methods. We then explore advances in <jats:italic>in vivo</jats:italic> imaging methods that are allowing spine activity to be studied in living tissue, from super‐resolution techniques to calcium imaging. Finally, we review studies on spine structure and function <jats:italic>in vivo</jats:italic>. These new results shed light on the development, integration properties and plasticity of spines.</jats:p>

Journal

  • EMBO reports

    EMBO reports 13 (8), 699-708, 2012-07-13

    Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Citations (5)*help

See more

Report a problem

Back to top