Dendritic spines: from structure to in vivo function
- PMID: 22791026
- PMCID: PMC3410382
- DOI: 10.1038/embor.2012.102
Dendritic spines: from structure to in vivo function
Abstract
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 in vivo 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 in vivo. These new results shed light on the development, integration properties and plasticity of spines.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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