Dendritic spines are susceptible to structural alterations induced by degeneration of their presynaptic afferents.
The shape of dendritic spines in mouse Sm1 cortex, which synapse with degenerating thalamocortical axon terminals, differs significantly from that of adjacent spines along the same spiny dendrites, which synapse with intact axon terminals. It is concluded that this morphological difference results from focal alterations in the heads of spines imposed by the degeneration of their presynaptic afferents.
Benshalom
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Unit of Morphology, Corob Center for Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
White
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D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D003712:Dendrites / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*