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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
09:39
Improved Preparation and Preservation of Hippocampal Mouse Slices for a Very Stable and Reproducible Recording of Long-term Potentiation
Published on: June 26, 2013
Protracted synaptogenesis after activity-dependent spinogenesis in hippocampal neurons
U Valentin Nägerl1, German Köstinger, John C Anderson
1Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, 82152 München-Martinsried, Germany. naegerl@neuro.mpg.de
Summary
Newly formed dendritic spines require hours to mature into functional synapses. This study tracks spine development, revealing that synaptic contacts form within minutes but take 15-19 hours to fully mature.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Synaptic Plasticity
Background:
- Neuronal morphological plasticity is key to CNS network reconfiguration.
- Activity-dependent synaptic activation can induce new dendritic spine growth, suggesting synapse formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To directly investigate the timeline of synapse formation in newly developed dendritic spines.
- To correlate time-lapse imaging with electron microscopy for detailed ultrastructural analysis.
Main Methods:
- Time-lapse two-photon microscopy of CA1 pyramidal neurons in organotypic hippocampal slices.
- Correlating dynamic imaging with high-resolution electron microscopy.
- Analyzing spines at different developmental stages, from hours to days.
Main Results:
- Spines aged only a few hours rarely formed synapses.
- Spines aged 15-19 hours consistently showed synaptic ultrastructural hallmarks.
- Physical contacts with presynaptic boutons formed within minutes, maturing over many hours.
Conclusions:
- Newly formed dendritic spines require a significant maturation period to become functional synapses.
- This study elucidates the temporal dynamics of activity-dependent spinogenesis and synapse development.
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