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Related Concept Videos

Long-term Depression01:03

Long-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.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over time, all...
Long-term Depression01:05

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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.
Membrane Fluidity01:26

Membrane Fluidity

Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
Mosaic nature of the membrane
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Overview of Lipid Metabolism

Lipid metabolism is a crucial process in the human body that involves the synthesis and degradation of lipids. This process is essential for energy production, cell membrane formation, and hormone production, among other functions.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Lipid Droplet Isolation for Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Analysis
10:23

Lipid Droplet Isolation for Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Published on: April 17, 2017

Activity-dependent lipid droplet biogenesis and turnover regulate synaptic integrity.

Eleni Katafygiotou1, Ada Squires2, Anne Liang1

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University; Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.

Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|July 10, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Neuronal lipid droplets (LDs) form dynamically with activity. Impaired clearance of these lipid stores via lipophagy disrupts synaptic function and causes motor deficits, highlighting their crucial role in neuronal health.

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Isolation of Cellular Lipid Droplets: Two Purification Techniques Starting from Yeast Cells and Human Placentas
09:41

Isolation of Cellular Lipid Droplets: Two Purification Techniques Starting from Yeast Cells and Human Placentas

Published on: April 1, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Lipid droplets (LDs) are organelles crucial for lipid storage and cellular stress response.
  • Their specific dynamics and functions within neurons are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the activity-dependent dynamics of neuronal LDs.
  • To elucidate the role of lipophagy in regulating LDs in neurons and its impact on synaptic function and neuronal health.

Main Methods:

  • Developed and utilized a novel genetically encoded LD reporter (LipiDew) for visualizing LDs in cultured neurons and mouse motor cortex.
  • Examined the effects of disrupting lipophagy on neuronal lipid accumulation, synaptic protein recruitment, and calcium kinetics.
  • Assessed motor function in mice with neuron-specific genetic impairment of lipophagy.

Main Results:

  • Neuronal activation triggers predominant and transient formation of LDs in neurites.
  • Disruption of lipophagy leads to aberrant lipid accumulation in dendritic spines and shafts.
  • Impaired lipophagy alters synaptic scaffolding protein localization and neuronal calcium dynamics.
  • Mice lacking neuron-specific lipophagy exhibit motor function deficits.

Conclusions:

  • Neuronal LD formation is activity-dependent and dynamically regulated.
  • Lipophagic clearance of LDs is essential for maintaining synaptic integrity and normal neuronal function.
  • Dysregulation of LD metabolism and clearance contributes to neurological dysfunction.