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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Analysis of Dendritic Spine Morphology in Cultured CNS Neurons
Published on: July 13, 2011
Structure and function of dendritic spines
Esther A Nimchinsky1, Bernardo L Sabatini, Karel Svoboda
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA. nimchins@cshl.org
Abstract:
Spines are neuronal protrusions, each of which receives input typically from one excitatory synapse. They contain neurotransmitter receptors, organelles, and signaling systems essential for synaptic function and plasticity. Numerous brain disorders are associated with abnormal dendritic spines. Spine formation, plasticity, and maintenance depend on synaptic activity and can be modulated by sensory experience. Studies of compartmentalization have shown that spines serve primarily as biochemical, rather than electrical, compartments. In particular, recent work has highlighted that spines are highly specialized compartments for rapid large-amplitude Ca(2+) signals underlying the induction of synaptic plasticity.
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