Synaptic connectivity and neuronal morphology: two sides of the same coin

Chklovskii, D. B. (September 2004) Synaptic connectivity and neuronal morphology: two sides of the same coin. Neuron, 43 (5). pp. 609-17. ISSN 0896-6273 (Print)

Abstract

Neurons often possess elaborate axonal and dendritic arbors. Why do these arbors exist and what determines their form and dimensions? To answer these questions, I consider the wiring up of a large highly interconnected neuronal network, such as the cortical column. Implementation of such a network in the allotted volume requires all the salient features of neuronal morphology: the existence of branching dendrites and axons and the presence of dendritic spines. Therefore, the requirement of high interconnectivity is, in itself, sufficient to account for the existence of these features. Moreover, the actual lengths of axons and dendrites are close to the smallest possible length for a given interconnectivity, arguing that high interconnectivity is essential for cortical function.

Item Type:	Paper
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Animals Cell Communication physiology Cell Differentiation physiology Cell Size Cerebral Cortex cytology growth & development physiology Dendrites physiology ultrastructure Humans Models Neurological Nerve Net cytology growth & development physiology Neural Pathways cytology growth & development physiology Synapses physiology ultrastructure
Subjects:	organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > tissues types and functions > axon organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > dendritic cells > dendritic arbors organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > dendritic cells > dendritic arbors organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > dendritic cells > dendritic arbors organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons
CSHL Authors:	Chklovskii, Dmitri B.
Communities:	CSHL labs > Chklovskii lab
Depositing User:	CSHL Librarian
Date:	2 September 2004
Date Deposited:	09 Feb 2012 16:07
Last Modified:	09 Feb 2012 16:07
URI:	https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/22350

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