scholarly journals Sex differences in dendritic spine density and morphology in auditory and visual cortices in adolescence and adulthood

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily M. Parker ◽  
Nathan L. Kindja ◽  
Claire E. J. Cheetham ◽  
Robert A. Sweet
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Dendritic Spines ◽  
Dendritic Spine ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Dendritic Spine Density ◽  
Layer 4 ◽  
Visual Cortices ◽  
Mushroom Spines

AbstractDendritic spines are small protrusions on dendrites that endow neurons with the ability to receive and transform synaptic input. Dendritic spine number and morphology are altered as a consequence of synaptic plasticity and circuit refinement during adolescence. Dendritic spine density (DSD) is significantly different based on sex in subcortical brain regions associated with the generation of sex-specific behaviors. It is largely unknown if sex differences in DSD exist in auditory and visual brain regions and if there are sex-specific changes in DSD in these regions that occur during adolescent development. We analyzed dendritic spines in 4-week-old (P28) and 12-week-old (P84) male and female mice and found that DSD is lower in female mice due in part to fewer short stubby, long stubby and short mushroom spines. We found striking layer-specific patterns including a significant age by layer interaction and significantly decreased DSD in layer 4 from P28 to P84. Together these data support the possibility of developmental sex differences in DSD in visual and auditory regions and provide evidence of layer-specific refinement of DSD over adolescent brain development.

Effects of cranial irradiation on dendritic spine complexity in the rat hippocampus and to induce memory decline.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e13545-e13545
Author(s):  
Shengjun Ji
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Spines ◽  
Dendritic Spine ◽  
Cranial Irradiation ◽  
Cytoskeletal Proteins ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Memory Dysfunction ◽  
Dendritic Spine Density ◽  
Basal Dendrites ◽  
Radiation Induced ◽  
Mushroom Spines

e13545 Background: Cognitive deficit was the most serious complication of cranial irradiation in brain metastatic carcinoma. However, the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Dendrites are the anatomic bases of synaptic contact and action potential propagation. Alterations of dendritic architecture may contribute to radiation-induced memory dysfunction. Methods: 21-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats received 10Gy cranial irradiation. 1 and 3 months later, Morris Water Maze, Fear Conditioning test and novel object recognition were used to test the memory function. Golgi staining was used to assess changes in dendritic spine density and morphology. Moreover, cytoskeletal proteins PSD-95 were analyzed with Western blot. Results: Our data showed that 10Gy cranial irradiation induced significant decline in the spatial memory and memory retention of rats and accompanied the morphological changes in dendritic spines. The result revealed significant reductions in spine density at 1 month (40.58%) and 3 months (28.92%) in the DG. In CA1 basal dendrites, irradiation resulted in a significant reduction (33.29%) in spine density only at 1month postirradiation. Compared to control, mushroom spines reduced at 1 month (7.17%, 10.01%) and 3 months (9.29%, 11.94%) post irradiation in DG and CA1 basal dendrites, respectively. Also, we found PSD-95 depletion coincided in time with alteration in dendritic spines. Conclusions: These data suggest that cranial irradiation decreased the dendritic spine density and mushroom spines, which may be associated with radiation-induced memory dysfunction. Acknowledgment: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China 81402517 and the Suzhou Science and Technology Project SYS201651.

scholarly journals Author Correction: Sex differences in dendritic spine density and morphology in auditory and visual cortices in adolescence and adulthood

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily M. Parker ◽  
Nathan L. Kindja ◽  
Claire E. J. Cheetham ◽  
Robert A. Sweet
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Dendritic Spine ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Dendritic Spine Density ◽  
Visual Cortices

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

scholarly journals Bergmann glial ensheathment of dendritic spines regulates synapse number without affecting spine motility

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jocelyn J. Lippman Bell ◽  
Tamar Lordkipanidze ◽  
Natalie Cobb ◽  
Anna Dunaevsky
Keyword(s):  
Purkinje Cell ◽  
Dendritic Spines ◽  
Dendritic Spine ◽  
Adenoviral Vector ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Dendritic Spine Density ◽  
Spine Dynamics

In the cerebellum, lamellar Bergmann glial (BG) appendages wrap tightly around almost every Purkinje cell dendritic spine. The function of this glial ensheathment of spines is not entirely understood. The development of ensheathment begins near the onset of synaptogenesis, when motility of both BG processes and dendritic spines are high. By the end of the synaptogenic period, ensheathment is complete and motility of the BG processes decreases, correlating with the decreased motility of dendritic spines. We therefore have hypothesized that ensheathment is intimately involved in capping synaptogenesis, possibly by stabilizing synapses. To test this hypothesis, we misexpressed GluR2 in an adenoviral vector in BG towards the end of the synaptogenic period, rendering the BG α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) Ca2+-impermeable and causing glial sheath retraction. We then measured the resulting spine motility, spine density and synapse number. Although we found that decreasing ensheathment at this time does not alter spine motility, we did find a significant increase in both synaptic pucta and dendritic spine density. These results indicate that consistent spine coverage by BG in the cerebellum is not necessary for stabilization of spine dynamics, but is very important in the regulation of synapse number.

scholarly journals Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons ofMecp2Mutant Mice Show a Dendritic Spine Phenotype Only in the Presymptomatic Stage

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher A. Chapleau ◽  
Elena Maria Boggio ◽  
Gaston Calfa ◽  
Alan K. Percy ◽  
Maurizio Giustetto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Spines ◽  
Dendritic Spine ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Mutant Mice ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Ca1 Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Dendritic Spine Density ◽  
Presymptomatic Stage ◽  
Deficient Mice

Alterations in dendritic spines have been documented in numerous neurodevelopmental disorders, including Rett Syndrome (RTT). RTT, an X chromosome-linked disorder associated with mutations inMECP2, is the leading cause of intellectual disabilities in women. Neurons inMecp2-deficient mice show lower dendritic spine density in several brain regions. To better understand the role of MeCP2 on excitatory spine synapses, we analyzed dendritic spines of CA1 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus ofMecp2tm1.1Jaemale mutant mice by either confocal microscopy or electron microscopy (EM). At postnatal-day 7 (P7), well before the onset of RTT-like symptoms, CA1 pyramidal neurons from mutant mice showed lower dendritic spine density than those from wildtype littermates. On the other hand, at P15 or later showing characteristic RTT-like symptoms, dendritic spine density did not differ between mutant and wildtype neurons. Consistently, stereological analyses at the EM level revealed similar densities of asymmetric spine synapses in CA1stratum radiatumof symptomatic mutant and wildtype littermates. These results raise caution regarding the use of dendritic spine density in hippocampal neurons as a phenotypic endpoint for the evaluation of therapeutic interventions in symptomaticMecp2-deficient mice. However, they underscore the potential role of MeCP2 in the maintenance of excitatory spine synapses.

Sexual behavior and dendritic spine density of posterodorsal medial amygdala neurons in oxytocin knockout female mice

2013 ◽  
Vol 256 ◽  
pp. 95-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Oriques Becker ◽  
Virgínia Meneghini Lazzari ◽  
Itiana Castro Menezes ◽  
Mariana Morris ◽  
Katya Rigatto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Dendritic Spine ◽  
Medial Amygdala ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Dendritic Spine Density

Prenatal Cocaine Increases Dendritic Spine Density in Cortical and Subcortical Brain Regions of the Rat

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 71-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maya Frankfurt ◽  
Hoau-Yan Wang ◽  
Naydu Marmolejo ◽  
Kalindi Bakshi ◽  
Eitan Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Spine ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Dendritic Spine Density ◽  
Subcortical Brain ◽  
Prenatal Cocaine

scholarly journals Preservation of dendritic spine morphology and postsynaptic signaling markers after treatment with solid lipid curcumin particles in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panchanan Maiti ◽  
Zackary L Bowers ◽  
Ali Bourcier ◽  
Jarod MOrse ◽  
Gary L Dunbar
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Dendritic Spines ◽  
Dendritic Spine ◽  
Amyloid Plaque ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Solid Lipid ◽  
Dendritic Spine Density ◽  
Synaptic Markers ◽  
5Xfad Mice

Abstract Background Synaptic failure is one of the principal events associated with cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Preservation of existing synapses and prevention of synaptic loss are promising strategies to preserve cognitive function in AD patients. As a potent natural anti-oxidant, anti-amyloid, anti-inflammatory polyphenol, curcumin (Cur) shows great promise as a therapy for AD. However, hydrophobicity of natural Cur limits its solubility, stability, bioavailability and clinical utility for AD therapy. We have demonstrated that solid lipid curcumin particles (SLCP) have greater therapeutic potential than natural Cur in vitro and in vivo models of AD. In the present study, we have investigated whether SLCP has any preservative role on affected dendritic spines and synaptic markers in 5xFAD mice.Methods Six- and 12-month-old 5xFAD and age-matched wild-type mice received oral administration of SLCP (100 mg/kg body weight) or equivalent amounts of vehicle for 2 months. Neuronal morphology, neurodegeneration and amyloid plaque load were investigated from prefrontal cortex (PFC), entorhinal cortex (EC), CA1, CA3 and the subicular complex (SC). Further, dendritic spine density of apical and basal branches were studied by Golgi-Cox stain. Further, synaptic markers, such as synaptophysin, PSD95, Shank, Homer, Drebrin, kalirin-7, CREB and phosphorylated CREB (pCREB) were studied using Western blots. Finally, cognitive and motor functions were assessed using open field, novel object recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze (MWM) tasks after treatment with SLCP.Results We observed an increase number of pyknotic and degenerated cells in all these brain areas in 5xFAD mice and SLCP treatment partially protected against those losses. Decrease in dendritic arborization and dendritic spine density from primary and secondary apical and basal branches were observed in PFC, EC, CA1, CA3 in both 6- and 12-month-old 5xFAD mice and SLCP treatments partially preserved the normal morphology of these dendritic spines. In addition, pre- and post-synaptic protein markers were also restored by SLCP treatment. Furthermore, SLCP treatment improved NOR and cognitive function in 5xFAD mice.Conclusions Overall, these findings indicate that use of SLCP exerts neuroprotective properties by decreasing amyloid plaque burden, preventing neuronal death, as well as preservation of dendritic spine density and synaptic markers in the 5xFAD mice.

Hormonal regulation of adult hippocampal dendritic spine density

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 30-31
Author(s):  
Catherine S. Woolley ◽  
Bruce S. McEwen
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Spines ◽  
Dendritic Spine ◽  
Hormonal Regulation ◽  
Dendritic Tree ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Female Rat ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Dendritic Spine Density ◽  
Progesterone Treatment ◽  
Lateral Branches

Dendritic spines cover the surface of a wide variety of neuronal types and are the postsynaptic sites of approximately 90% of the excitatory synapses formed in the central nervous system. Interestingly, changes in the morphology and/or density of dendritic spines have been shown to occur naturally, implying that they are a normal part of brain function. Even in the adult, dendritic spines are remarkably plastic. The hormonal state of an animal has been shown to be an important factor in regulation of dendritic spine density, both during development and in the adult.In the adult female rat, hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells are particularly sensitive to variation in the circulating levels of the ovarian steroids, estradiol and progesterone. Removal of estradiol and progesterone by ovariectomy results in an approximately 50% decrease in the density of dendritic spines on the lateral branches of the apical dendritic tree. Treatment with estradiol can either protect against or reverse this decrease; subsequent progesterone treatment for as few as 5 hours significantly augments the effect of estradiol. By 18-24 hours following progesterone treatment, spine density returns to low values.

Regional differences in dendritic spine density confer resilience to chronic social defeat stress

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youge Qu ◽  
Chun Yang ◽  
Qian Ren ◽  
Min Ma ◽  
Chao Dong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Spine ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Social Defeat ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Dendritic Spine Density ◽  
Chronic Social Defeat Stress ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Susceptible Group

ObjectiveAlthough alterations in the dendritic spine density in the brain regions may play a role in the stress-induced depression-like phenotype, the precise mechanisms are unknown. The aim was to investigate the role of spine density in the brain regions after chronic social defeat stress (CSDS).MethodsWe examined dendritic spine density in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), CA1, CA3, dentate gyrus (DG) of hippocampus, nucleus accumbens (NAc), and ventral tegmental area (VTA) of susceptible and resilient mice after CSDS.ResultsSpine density in the prelimbic area of mPFC, CA3, and DG in the susceptible group, but not resilient group, was significantly lower than control group. In contrast, spine density in the NAc and VTA in the susceptible group, but not resilient group, was significantly higher than control group.ConclusionsThe results suggest that regional differences in spine density may contribute to resilience versus susceptibility in mice subjected to CSDS.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document