Biomaterial Database

The function of dendritic spines: a review of theoretical issues. 1985

R G Coss, and D H Perkel

The discovery of dendritic spines in the late nineteenth century has prompted nearly 90 years of speculation about their physiological importance. Early observations that bulbous spine heads had very close approximations with the axon terminals of other neurons, confirmed later by ultrastructural study, led to ideas that spines enhance dendritic surface areas for making synaptic contacts. More recent application of cable and core-conductor theory to the anatomical study of spines has raised a number of new ideas about spine function. One important issue was derived from the theoretical treatment of spines as tiny dendrites with much higher input resistances than those of the larger parent dendrites. The high spine-stem resistance results in relative electrical isolation of the spine head; this causes large local depolarizations in the spine head. Several theoretical studies have also shown that if the spine-head input resistances are substantially higher than those of the parent dendrites, spines have the potential for modulating a host of biochemical and biophysical processes that might regulate synaptic efficacy. Empirical studies have documented that spine heads increase rapidly in size after afferent projections have been stimulated electrically and after animals have engaged in a single bout of ecologically important behavioral activity. Such spine head enlargement dilates the portion of the spine stem adjacent to the spine head and this process shortens the spine stem without appreciably altering overall spine length. Theoretical study shows that spine-stem shortening lowers the spine-head input resistance relative to the branch input resistance. This reduction in input resistance can enhance the transfer of electrical charge from the spine head to the parent dendrite, especially when the synaptic conductance is large relative to the spine-head input conductance. Spine-stem shortening also lowers the peak transient membrane potential in the spine head and this factor could delimit Ca2+ influx into the spine head via voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. The modulation of Ca2+ influx by spine-stem shortening has the potential for regulating Ca2+-sensitive enzymatic activity in the spine head that could affect phosphorylation of cytoskeletal proteins maintaining spine shape and phosphorylation of proteins in the postsynaptic density. Finally, theoretical findings are described that examine the effects of voltage-dependent inward-current channels in the spine head and their ability to amplify the charge transfer due to transmitter-dependent synaptic conductances.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007473	Ion Channels	Gated, ion-selective glycoproteins that traverse membranes. The stimulus for ION CHANNEL GATING can be due to a variety of stimuli such as LIGANDS, a TRANSMEMBRANE POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE, mechanical deformation or through INTRACELLULAR SIGNALING PEPTIDES AND PROTEINS.	Membrane Channels,Ion Channel,Ionic Channel,Ionic Channels,Membrane Channel,Channel, Ion,Channel, Ionic,Channel, Membrane,Channels, Ion,Channels, Ionic,Channels, Membrane
D008564	Membrane Potentials	The voltage differences across a membrane. For cellular membranes they are computed by subtracting the voltage measured outside the membrane from the voltage measured inside the membrane. They result from differences of inside versus outside concentration of potassium, sodium, chloride, and other ions across cells' or ORGANELLES membranes. For excitable cells, the resting membrane potentials range between -30 and -100 millivolts. Physical, chemical, or electrical stimuli can make a membrane potential more negative (hyperpolarization), or less negative (depolarization).	Resting Potentials,Transmembrane Potentials,Delta Psi,Resting Membrane Potential,Transmembrane Electrical Potential Difference,Transmembrane Potential Difference,Difference, Transmembrane Potential,Differences, Transmembrane Potential,Membrane Potential,Membrane Potential, Resting,Membrane Potentials, Resting,Potential Difference, Transmembrane,Potential Differences, Transmembrane,Potential, Membrane,Potential, Resting,Potential, Transmembrane,Potentials, Membrane,Potentials, Resting,Potentials, Transmembrane,Resting Membrane Potentials,Resting Potential,Transmembrane Potential,Transmembrane Potential Differences
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D008869	Microtubule-Associated Proteins	High molecular weight proteins found in the MICROTUBULES of the cytoskeletal system. Under certain conditions they are required for TUBULIN assembly into the microtubules and stabilize the assembled microtubules.	Ensconsin,Epithelial MAP, 115 kDa,Epithelial Microtubule-Associate Protein, 115 kDa,MAP4,Microtubule Associated Protein,Microtubule Associated Protein 4,Microtubule Associated Protein 7,Microtubule-Associated Protein,Microtubule-Associated Protein 7,E-MAP-115,MAP1 Microtubule-Associated Protein,MAP2 Microtubule-Associated Protein,MAP3 Microtubule-Associated Protein,Microtubule Associated Proteins,Microtubule-Associated Protein 1,Microtubule-Associated Protein 2,Microtubule-Associated Protein 3,7, Microtubule-Associated Protein,Associated Protein, Microtubule,E MAP 115,Epithelial Microtubule Associate Protein, 115 kDa,MAP1 Microtubule Associated Protein,MAP2 Microtubule Associated Protein,MAP3 Microtubule Associated Protein,Microtubule Associated Protein 1,Microtubule Associated Protein 2,Microtubule Associated Protein 3,Microtubule-Associated Protein, MAP1,Microtubule-Associated Protein, MAP2,Microtubule-Associated Protein, MAP3,Protein 7, Microtubule-Associated,Protein, Microtubule Associated,Protein, Microtubule-Associated
D008959	Models, Neurological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of the neurological system, processes or phenomena; includes the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Neurologic Models,Model, Neurological,Neurologic Model,Neurological Model,Neurological Models,Model, Neurologic,Models, Neurologic
D009431	Neural Conduction	The propagation of the NERVE IMPULSE along the nerve away from the site of an excitation stimulus.	Nerve Conduction,Conduction, Nerve,Conduction, Neural,Conductions, Nerve,Conductions, Neural,Nerve Conductions,Neural Conductions
D009435	Synaptic Transmission	The communication from a NEURON to a target (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) across a SYNAPSE. In chemical synaptic transmission, the presynaptic neuron releases a NEUROTRANSMITTER that diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to specific synaptic receptors, activating them. The activated receptors modulate specific ion channels and/or second-messenger systems in the postsynaptic cell. In electrical synaptic transmission, electrical signals are communicated as an ionic current flow across ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES.	Neural Transmission,Neurotransmission,Transmission, Neural,Transmission, Synaptic
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation