Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
11:56
Slice Patch Clamp Technique for Analyzing Learning-Induced Plasticity
Published on: November 11, 2017
Structural plasticity underlies experience-dependent functional plasticity of cortical circuits.
Linda Wilbrecht1, Anthony Holtmaat, Nick Wright
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA. lwilbrecht@gallo.ucsf.edu
Summary
Whisker trimming enhances new spine stabilization in the mouse barrel cortex, particularly in layer 5 neurons. This process requires alpha-calcium-calmodulin kinase II (alphaCaMKII) autophosphorylation, linking spine plasticity to adult cortical circuits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Synaptic Plasticity
- Cortical Circuits
Background:
- The stabilization of new dendritic spines in the adult barrel cortex after sensory experience, like whisker trimming, is known to be enhanced.
- However, the precise relationship between this spine stabilization and experience-dependent plasticity remains unclear.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for comprehending adult brain plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal link between new spine synapse formation and experience-dependent plasticity in the adult barrel cortex.
- To determine the role of alpha-calcium-calmodulin kinase II (alphaCaMKII) autophosphorylation in experience-dependent spine stabilization.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying plasticity in adult cortical circuits.
Main Methods:
- Whisker trimming was performed on wild-type mice and homozygote alphaCaMKII-T286A mutant mice.
- Changes in dendritic spine stabilization were analyzed, particularly in layer 5 neurons at the border of barrel columns.
- Experience-dependent potentiation of neuronal responses to spared whiskers was assessed.
Main Results:
- In wild-type mice, whisker potentiation and spine stabilization were most pronounced in layer 5 neurons bordering spared and deprived barrel columns after whisker trimming.
- Homozygote alphaCaMKII-T286A mice, lacking experience-dependent potentiation, showed no increased new spine stabilization at the border regions.
- This suggests alphaCaMKII autophosphorylation is critical for spine stabilization, but not necessarily spine formation.
Conclusions:
- A causal relationship exists between new spine synapses and the plasticity of adult cortical circuits.
- Alpha-calcium-calmodulin kinase II (alphaCaMKII) autophosphorylation is implicated in the stabilization, but not the initial formation, of new dendritic spines.
- These findings provide insight into the molecular mechanisms governing experience-dependent plasticity in the adult brain.
Related Concept Videos
01:01Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.
00:58Plasticity
Plasticity is the property where an object loses its elasticity and undergoes irreversible deformation, even after the deformation forces are eliminated. If a material deforms irreversibly without increasing stress or load, then this is called ideal plasticity. For example, when a force is applied to an aluminum rod, it changes its shape, but it does not return to its original shape once the force is removed. Plastic deformation or ductility is thus a permanent deformation or change in the...
01:25Long-term Potentiation
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when presynaptic neurons...
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when presynaptic neurons...
01:35Long-term Potentiation
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
01:19Plastic Deformations
Plastic deformation represents a fundamental concept in materials science, which explains the irreversible change in the shape of a material when it experiences stress beyond its elastic capability. This phenomenon is important in structural engineering, especially in designing and analyzing cantilever beams—structures that are securely fixed at one end and bear loads at the opposite end. When these beams are subjected to loads within their elastic range, they will return to their original...
01:05Long-term Depression
Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.