Imaging of experience-dependent structural plasticity in the mouse neocortex in vivo

Holtmaat, A., De Paola, V., Wilbrecht, L., Knott, G. W. (September 2008) Imaging of experience-dependent structural plasticity in the mouse neocortex in vivo. Behav Brain Res, 192 (1). pp. 20-25.

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18501438
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2008.04.005

Abstract

The functionality of adult neocortical circuits can be altered by novel experiences or learning. This functional plasticity appears to rely on changes in the strength of neuronal connections that were established during development. Here we will describe some of our studies in which we have addressed whether structural changes, including the remodeling of axons and dendrites with synapse formation and elimination, could underlie experience-dependent plasticity in the adult neocortex. Using 2-photon laser-scanning microscopes and transgenic mice expressing GFP in a subset of pyramidal cells, we have observed that a small subset of dendritic spines continuously appear and disappear on a daily basis, whereas the majority of spines persists for months. Axonal boutons from different neuronal classes displayed similar behavior, although the extent of remodeling varied. Under baseline conditions, new spines in the barrel cortex were mostly transient and rarely survived for more than a week. However, when every other whisker was trimmed, the generation and loss of persistent spines was enhanced. Ultrastructural reconstruction of previously imaged spines and boutons showed that new spines slowly form synapses. New spines persisting for a few days always had synapses, whereas very young spines often lacked synapses. New synapses were predominantly found on large, multi-synapse boutons, suggesting that spine growth is followed by synapse formation, preferentially on existing boutons. Altogether our data indicate that novel sensory experience drives the stabilization of new spines on subclasses of cortical neurons and promotes the formation of new synapses. These synaptic changes likely underlie experience-dependent functional remodeling of specific neocortical circuits.

Item Type: Paper
Uncontrolled Keywords: Structural plasticity Cortical circuits Dendritic spines Axonal boutons In vivo imaging
Subjects: Investigative techniques and equipment
organism description > animal
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > organs types and functions > brain
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell functions
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions
Investigative techniques and equipment > imaging
organism description > animal > mammal > rodent > mouse
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell functions > neural plasticity
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > organs types and functions
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL labs > Svoboda lab
Depositing User: Matt Covey
Date: 1 September 2008
Date Deposited: 26 Feb 2013 17:27
Last Modified: 26 Feb 2013 17:27
Related URLs:
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/27548

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