scholarly journals Psilocybin induces rapid and persistent growth of dendritic spines in frontal cortex in vivo

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling-Xiao Shao ◽  
Clara Liao ◽  
Ian Gregg ◽  
Neil K. Savalia ◽  
Kristina Delagarza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Dose ◽  
Frontal Cortex ◽  
Dendritic Spines ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Structural Plasticity ◽  
Head Width ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Synaptic Remodeling

AbstractPsilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic with untapped therapeutic potential. Here we chronically imaged apical dendritic spines of layer 5 pyramidal neurons in mouse medial frontal cortex. We found that a single dose of psilocybin led to ∼10% increases in spine density and spine head width. Synaptic remodeling occurred quickly within 24 hours and was persistent 1 month later. The results demonstrate structural plasticity that may underpin psilocybin’s long-lasting beneficial actions.

scholarly journals Distal axotomy enhances retrograde presynaptic excitability onto injured pyramidal neurons via trans-synaptic signaling

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tharkika Nagendran ◽  
Rylan S. Larsen ◽  
Rebecca L. Bigler ◽  
Shawn B. Frost ◽  
Benjamin D. Philpot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Spines ◽  
Dendritic Spine ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Axon Injury ◽  
Synaptic Remodeling ◽  
Nerve Tracts ◽  
Specific Increase ◽  
Microfluidic Chambers

AbstractInjury of CNS nerve tracts remodels circuitry through dendritic spine loss and hyper-excitability, thus influencing recovery. Due to the complexity of the CNS, a mechanistic understanding of injury-induced synaptic remodeling remains unclear. Using microfluidic chambers to separate and injure distal axons, we show that axotomy causes retrograde dendritic spine loss at directly injured pyramidal neurons followed by retrograde presynaptic hyper-excitability. These remodeling events require activity at the site of injury, axon-to-soma signaling, and transcription. Similarly, directly injured corticospinal neurons in vivo also exhibit a specific increase in spiking following axon injury. Axotomy-induced hyper-excitability of cultured neurons coincides with elimination of inhibitory inputs onto injured neurons, including those formed onto dendritic spines. Netrin-1 downregulation occurs following axon injury and exogenous netrin-1 applied after injury normalizes spine density, presynaptic excitability, and inhibitory inputs at injured neurons. Our findings show that intrinsic signaling within damaged neurons regulates synaptic remodeling and involves netrin-1 signaling.

scholarly journals Lack of change in CA1 dendritic spine density or clustering in rats following training on a radial-arm maze task

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
Emma Craig ◽  
Christopher M. Dillingham ◽  
Michal M. Milczarek ◽  
Heather M. Phillips ◽  
Moira Davies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Spines ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Memory Load ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Memory Formation ◽  
Spatial Task ◽  
Radial Arm Maze ◽  
Nearest Neighbour ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Ca1 Region

Background: Neuronal plasticity is thought to underlie learning and memory formation. The density of dendritic spines in the CA1 region of the hippocampus has been repeatedly linked to mnemonic processes. Both the number and spatial location of the spines, in terms of proximity to nearest neighbour, have been implicated in memory formation. To examine how spatial training impacts synaptic structure in the hippocampus, Lister-Hooded rats were trained on a hippocampal-dependent spatial task in the radial-arm maze.  Methods: One group of rats were trained on a hippocampal-dependent spatial task in the radial arm maze. Two further control groups were included: a yoked group which received the same sensorimotor stimulation in the radial-maze but without a memory load, and home-cage controls. At the end of behavioural training, the brains underwent Golgi staining. Spines on CA1 pyramidal neuron dendrites were imaged and quantitatively assessed to provide measures of density and distance from nearest neighbour.  Results: There was no difference across behavioural groups either in terms of spine density or in the clustering of dendritic spines. Conclusions: Spatial learning is not always accompanied by changes in either the density or clustering of dendritic spines on the basal arbour of CA1 pyramidal neurons when assessed using Golgi imaging.

scholarly journals Bidirectional in vivo structural dendritic spine plasticity revealed by two-photon glutamate uncaging in the mouse neocortex

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Noguchi ◽  
Akira Nagaoka ◽  
Tatsuya Hayama ◽  
Hasan Ucar ◽  
Sho Yagishita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Spines ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Structural Plasticity ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
Spine Plasticity

Abstract Most excitatory synapses in the brain form on dendritic spines. Two-photon uncaging of glutamate is widely utilized to characterize the structural plasticity of dendritic spines in brain slice preparations in vitro. In the present study, glutamate uncaging was used to investigate spine plasticity, for the first time, in vivo. A caged glutamate compound was applied to the surface of the mouse visual cortex in vivo, revealing the successful induction of spine enlargement by repetitive two-photon uncaging in a magnesium free solution. Notably, this induction occurred in a smaller fraction of spines in the neocortex in vivo (22%) than in hippocampal slices (95%). Once induced, the time course and mean long-term enlargement amplitudes were similar to those found in hippocampal slices. However, low-frequency (1–2 Hz) glutamate uncaging in the presence of magnesium caused spine shrinkage in a similar fraction (35%) of spines as in hippocampal slices, though spread to neighboring spines occurred less frequently than it did in hippocampal slices. Thus, the structural plasticity may occur similarly in the neocortex in vivo as in hippocampal slices, although it happened less frequently in our experimental conditions.

scholarly journals Chronic 2P-STED imaging reveals high turnover of dendritic spines in the hippocampus in vivo

eLife ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Pfeiffer ◽  
Stefanie Poll ◽  
Stephane Bancelin ◽  
Julie Angibaud ◽  
VVG Krishna Inavalli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Spines ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Mammalian Brain ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Behavioral Experiments ◽  
High Turnover ◽  
Synaptic Circuits ◽  
Working Distance ◽  
High Level

Rewiring neural circuits by the formation and elimination of synapses is thought to be a key cellular mechanism of learning and memory in the mammalian brain. Dendritic spines are the postsynaptic structural component of excitatory synapses, and their experience-dependent plasticity has been extensively studied in mouse superficial cortex using two-photon microscopy in vivo. By contrast, very little is known about spine plasticity in the hippocampus, which is the archetypical memory center of the brain, mostly because it is difficult to visualize dendritic spines in this deeply embedded structure with sufficient spatial resolution. We developed chronic 2P-STED microscopy in mouse hippocampus, using a ‘hippocampal window’ based on resection of cortical tissue and a long working distance objective for optical access. We observed a two-fold higher spine density than previous studies and measured a spine turnover of ~40% within 4 days, which depended on spine size. We thus provide direct evidence for a high level of structural rewiring of synaptic circuits and new insights into the structure-dynamics relationship of hippocampal spines. Having established chronic super-resolution microscopy in the hippocampus in vivo, our study enables longitudinal and correlative analyses of nanoscale neuroanatomical structures with genetic, molecular and behavioral experiments.

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.

scholarly journals Role of presenilin1 in structural plasticity of cortical dendritic spines in vivo

2011 ◽  
Vol 119 (5) ◽  
pp. 1064-1073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian K. E. Jung ◽  
Martin Fuhrmann ◽  
Kamran Honarnejad ◽  
Fred Van Leuven ◽  
Jochen Herms
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Spines ◽  
Structural Plasticity

scholarly journals Microglia inhibition rescues developmental hypofrontality in a mouse model of mental illness

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mattia Chini ◽  
Christoph Lindemann ◽  
Jastyn A. Pöpplau ◽  
Xiaxia Xu ◽  
Joachim Ahlbeck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
List Type ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Abnormal Rate ◽  
Hippocampal Networks ◽  
Local Circuits ◽  
Circuit Function

SUMMARYCognitive deficits, core features of mental illness, largely result from dysfunction of prefrontal-hippocampal networks. This dysfunction emerges already during early development, before a detectable behavioral readout, yet the cellular elements controlling the abnormal maturation are still unknown. Combining in vivo electrophysiology and optogenetics with neuroanatomy and pharmacology in neonatal mice mimicking the dual genetic - environmental etiology of psychiatric disorders, we identified pyramidal neurons in layer II/III of the prefrontal cortex as key elements causing disorganized oscillatory entrainment of local circuits in beta-gamma frequencies. Their abnormal firing rate and timing result from sparser dendritic arborization and lower spine density. Pharmacological modulation of aberrantly hyper-mature microglia rescues morphological, synaptic and functional neuronal deficits and restores the early circuit function. Elucidation of the cellular substrate of developmental miswiring related to later cognitive deficits opens new perspectives for identification of neurobiological targets, amenable to therapies.HighlightsMice mimicking the etiology of mental illness have dysregulated prefrontal networkStructural and synaptic deficits cause abnormal rate and timing of pyramidal firingWeaker activation of prefrontal circuits results from deficits of pyramidal neuronsRescue of microglial function restores developing prefrontal circuits

scholarly journals Effect of Phosphorylated Tau on Cortical Pyramidal Neuron Morphology during Hibernation

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamen Regalado-Reyes ◽  
Ruth Benavides-Piccione ◽  
Isabel Fernaud-Espinosa ◽  
Javier DeFelipe ◽  
Gonzalo León-Espinosa
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Spines ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Tau Hyperphosphorylation ◽  
Spine Density ◽  
Neuronal Structure ◽  
Morphological Alterations ◽  
Length And Area

Abstract The dendritic spines of pyramidal cells are the main postsynaptic target of excitatory glutamatergic synapses. Morphological alterations have been described in hippocampal dendritic spines during hibernation—a state of inactivity and metabolic depression that occurs via a transient neuronal tau hyperphosphorylation. Here, we have used the hibernating Syrian hamster to investigate the effect of hyperphosphorylated tau regarding neocortical neuronal structure. In particular, we examined layer Va pyramidal neurons. Our results indicate that hibernation does not promote significant changes in dendritic spine density. However, tau hyperphosphorylated neurons show a decrease in complexity, an increase in the tortuosity of the apical dendrites, and an increase in the diameter of the basal dendrites. Tau protein hyperphosphorylation and aggregation have been associated with loss or alterations of dendritic spines in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Our results may shed light on the correlation between tau hyperphosphorylation and the neuropathological processes in AD. Moreover, we observed changes in the length and area of the apical and basal dendritic spines during hibernation regardless of tau hyperphosphorylation. The morphological changes observed here also suggest region specificity, opening up debate about a possible relationship with the differential brain activity registered in these regions in previous studies.

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