Experience-dependent Structural Plasticity in Dendrite Development: Emerging Common Themes Across Model Systems

Excerpt

From flies to humans, the nervous system of animals is remarkably adept at modifying itself in response to altered neuronal activity. One crucial component underlying this robust plasticity is a complex array of cellular and molecular changes occurring on the dendritic arbor of postsynaptic neurons. Both local events at the synapse, as well as broader effects, such as cell surface receptor-to-nuclear signaling, work together to adjust various features of neuronal dendrites, including branching patterns, arbor size, spine density and maturity. How dendrites respond to experience and activity are also influenced by their cellular environment and neighboring cells, such as astrocytes and microglia. With updated research methods and new technologies, these phenomena remain subjects of intense investigations. Studying dendrite plasticity not only helps us understand fundamental principles guiding the construction and modifications of circuit connectivity, but also begin to uncover root causes for a wide spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders and neuropsychiatric diseases.