RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Rapid Dendritic Morphogenesis in CA1 Hippocampal Dendrites Induced by Synaptic Activity
JF Science
JO Science
FD American Association for the Advancement of Science
SP 1923
OP 1927
DO 10.1126/science.283.5409.1923
VO 283
IS 5409
A1 Maletic-Savatic, M.
A1 Malinow, R.
A1 Svoboda, K.
YR 1999
UL http://science.sciencemag.org/content/283/5409/1923.abstract
AB Activity shapes the structure of neurons and their circuits. Two-photon imaging of CA1 neurons expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein in developing hippocampal slices from rat brains was used to characterize dendritic morphogenesis in response to synaptic activity. High-frequency focal synaptic stimulation induced a period (longer than 30 minutes) of enhanced growth of small filopodia-like protrusions (typically less than 5 micrometers long). Synaptically evoked growth was long-lasting and localized to dendritic regions close (less than 50 micrometers) to the stimulating electrode and was prevented by blockade of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. Thus, synaptic activation can produce rapid input-specific changes in dendritic structure. Such persistent structural changes could contribute to the development of neural circuitry.