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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Studying the Integration of Adult-born Neurons
Published on: March 25, 2011
Sensory input enhances synaptogenesis of adult-born neurons
Yoav Livneh1, Naomi Feinstein, Marguerita Klein
1Department of Neurobiology, Institute for Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
Abstract:
The adult mammalian brain maintains a prominent stem cell niche in the subventricular zone supplying new neurons to the olfactory bulb. We examined the dynamics of synaptogenesis by imaging the formation and elimination of clusters of a postsynaptic marker (PSD95), genetically targeted to adult-born neurons. We imaged in vivo adult-born periglomerular neurons (PGNs) during two phases of development, immaturity and maturity. Immature PGNs showed high levels of PSD95 puncta dynamics during 12-72 h intervals. Mature PGNs were more stable compared with immature PGNs but still remained dynamic, suggesting that synaptogenesis persists long after these neurons integrated into the network. By combining intrinsic signal and two photon imaging we followed PSD95 puncta in sensory enriched glomeruli. Sensory input upregulated the development of adult-born PGNs only in enriched glomeruli. Our data provide evidence for an activity-based mechanism that enhances synaptogenesis of adult-born PGNs during their initial phases of development.
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