title: Stereological and ultrastructural quantification of the afferent synaptome of individual neurons.
abstract: Determining the number and placement of synaptic inputs along the distinct plasma membrane domains of neurons is essential for explaining the basis of neuronal activity and function. We detail a strategy that combines juxtacellular labeling, neuronal reconstructions and stereological sampling of inputs at the ultrastructural level to define key elements of the afferent 'synaptome' of a given neuron. This approach provides unbiased estimates of the total number and somato-dendritic distribution of synapses made with individual neurons. These organizational properties can be related to the activity of the same neurons previously recorded in vivo, for direct structure-function correlations at the single-cell level. The approach also provides the quantitative data required to develop biologically realistic models that simulate and predict neuronal activity and function.
authors.affiliation: MRC Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TH, UK, phenny@med.puc.cl.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Henny
authors.forename: Matthew T C
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Benjamin R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Micklem
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Magill
authors.forename: J Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bolam
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001710:Biotin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003712:Dendrites / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D013569:Synapses / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: C070614:neurobiotin; D001710:Biotin; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase