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Updated: Oct 23, 2025
12:51
Voltage-sensitive Dye Recording from Axons, Dendrites and Dendritic Spines of Individual Neurons in Brain Slices
Published on: November 29, 2012
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The dendron and episodic neuropeptide release.
1Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Journal of Neuroendocrinology
|August 24, 2021
Summary
The unique "dendron" in gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons integrates information distally, enabling pulsatile GnRH secretion. This blended process is crucial for reproductive neuroendocrine function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroendocrinology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons control reproduction.
- GnRH neurons exhibit unique morphological and functional specializations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the discovery and function of the "dendron", a novel neuronal structure.
- To elucidate the role of the dendron in GnRH secretion patterns.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on GnRH neuron morphology and electrophysiology.
- Analysis of synaptic and volume transmission mechanisms.
- Comparative analysis across mammalian species.
Main Results:
- GnRH neurons possess a "dendron", a blended dendritic-axonal process.
- Proximal dendrites handle conventional synaptic integration and action potential initiation.
- Distal dendrons integrate information via synapses and volume transmission, driving pulsatile GnRH release.
Conclusions:
- The dendron is a unique neuronal structure optimized for episodic neuronal output.
- Distal dendron processing is key to the pulsatile patterning of GnRH secretion.
- The dendron may be a common feature in mammals with non-migrated GnRH neuron cell bodies.
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