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Related Concept Videos

Long-term Potentiation01:25

Long-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...
Neuroplasticity01:01

Neuroplasticity

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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

3D Modeling of Dendritic Spines with Synaptic Plasticity
07:13

3D Modeling of Dendritic Spines with Synaptic Plasticity

Published on: May 18, 2020

Nanoscale analysis of structural synaptic plasticity.

Jennifer N Bourne1, Kristen M Harris

  • 1Center for Learning and Memory, Department of Neurobiology, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712-0805, USA.

Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|November 18, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Structural plasticity in the brain, crucial for learning, is revealed by advanced electron microscopy. Serial section electron microscopy (ssEM) precisely measures nanoscale changes in synapses and cellular components, showing how they remodel.

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Last Updated: May 27, 2026

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Transmission Electron Microscopy as the Visualization Technique for Analysis of Circadian Synaptic Plasticity in the Mouse Barrel Cortex

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Structural plasticity of dendritic spines and synapses underlies long-term brain changes from learning and experience.
  • Electron microscopy (EM) has been pivotal in understanding nanoscale structural plasticity.
  • Serial section electron microscopy (ssEM) offers high-resolution insights into synaptic structure and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of structural plasticity in learning and memory.
  • To highlight the utility of ssEM in quantifying nanoscale synaptic modifications.
  • To detail the distribution of key cellular components within plastic synapses.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized serial section electron microscopy (ssEM) for ultrastructural analysis.
  • Performed quantitative measurements of synaptic size, density, and morphology.
  • Analyzed the distribution of polyribosomes, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and synaptic vesicles within dendritic spines.

Main Results:

  • ssEM enables accurate measurement of plasticity-related changes at the nanoscale.
  • Synaptic remodeling in response to physiological plasticity was observed.
  • Distribution patterns of key organelles within spines were quantified.

Conclusions:

  • Structural plasticity of synapses is fundamental for sustained brain changes.
  • Precise ultrastructural analysis via ssEM is critical for interpreting plasticity.
  • Understanding nanoscale remodeling provides insights into learning and memory mechanisms.