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Related Concept Videos

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Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy01:16

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The cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal cord offers a detailed view of its complex structure and function within the central nervous system. At the core of the spinal cord lies the gray matter, characterized by its butterfly or "H"-shaped appearance in cross-section. This central region is enveloped by white matter, with the overall structure divided into symmetrical halves by the dorsal median sulcus and the ventral median fissure.
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The vertebral column or spine is a flexible column that supports the head, neck, and body and  allows for their movements. It also protects the spinal cord.
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Spinal nerves are pivotal conduits in the nervous system, bridging the central nervous system (CNS) with the peripheral nervous system (PNS). These nerves enable a complex communication network between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body, facilitating sensory input, motor output, and autonomic functions.
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Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy01:15

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The spinal cord resides within the protective confines of the vertebral column. It is the main pathway for information traveling between the brain and the body. It plays a fundamental role in nearly all bodily functions, from simple reflexes to complex motor movements. The spinal cord begins at the medulla oblongata at the base of the brainstem and extends downward, terminating at the conus medullaris near the first and second lumbar vertebrae. The spinal cord's length in adults is...
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The spinal cord is the body’s major nerve tract of the central nervous system, communicating afferent sensory information from the periphery to the brain and efferent motor information from the brain to the body. The human spinal cord extends from the hole at the base of the skull, or foramen magnum, to the level of the first or second lumbar vertebra.
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3D Modeling of Dendritic Spines with Synaptic Plasticity
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The "addicted" spine.

Saturnino Spiga1, Giovanna Mulas2, Francesca Piras3

  • 1Department of Animal Biology and Ecology, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy.

Frontiers in Neuroanatomy
|October 18, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Dendritic spines, crucial for neural plasticity, are significantly reduced in Medium Spiny Neurons (MSNs) of the Nucleus Accumbens (Nacc) after withdrawal from abused drugs. This structural change impacts synaptic function and neuronal circuitry.

Keywords:
dopaminelearninglong thinnucleus accumbensspines

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Addiction Research

Background:

  • Dendritic spines are vital for neuronal function and synaptic plasticity.
  • Structural plasticity, changes in neuronal structure, is increasingly studied in the context of addiction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of drug abuse withdrawal on dendritic spines in Medium Spiny Neurons (MSNs) of the Nucleus Accumbens (Nacc).
  • To identify specific changes in dendritic spine morphology and their implications for neural circuitry.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized animal models of drug addiction.
  • Examined dendritic spine density and morphology in Nacc MSNs following withdrawal from opiates, cannabinoids, and alcohol.
  • Assessed tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive terminals and dopamine (DA) contacts.

Main Results:

  • Withdrawal from abused drugs led to a significant reduction in dendritic spines on Nacc MSNs.
  • This reduction was localized to second-order dendritic branches, affecting dopamine-innervated spines.
  • Long-thin dendritic spines appeared preferentially affected, suggesting potential impairment of cellular learning.

Conclusions:

  • Dendritic spines are profoundly affected by widely abused drugs, serving as key markers of drug-induced neural plasticity.
  • These structural alterations in synapses, system organization, and neuronal circuitry have significant physiological consequences.
  • The findings highlight the role of structural plasticity in the neurobiology of addiction.