Non-synaptic membrane specializations on the necks of Purkinje cell dentritic spines

Non-synaptic membrane contacts were found on the necks of the Purkinje cell dendritic spines between the spine and astrocyte plasma membranes. They were tight- or gap-junction-like and disappeared after short periods of anoxia. No similar membrane contacts were found on the most common type of pyramidal cell dendrite spine. It is suggested that the described contacts could influence the movement of ions in the neck area.