Open AccessPlasticity in the central nervous system: do synapses divide?
Author(s) -
Richard K. Carlin,
Philip Siekevitz
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.80.11.3517
Subject(s) - postsynaptic potential , neuroscience , synapse , synaptic plasticity , dendritic spine , postsynaptic density , reinnervation , synaptic augmentation , biology , synaptic pharmacology , synaptic cleft , neuromuscular junction , nonsynaptic plasticity , metaplasticity , excitatory postsynaptic potential , central nervous system , neurotransmitter , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , biochemistry , receptor , hippocampal formation
Changes in the proportion of synapses containing postsynaptic densities with perforations during periods of increased synapse formation have led us to propose a hypothesis describing a possible division of preexisting synapses. Relevant features of this model are that various types of stimulation result in the following sequence of events: (i) the synaptic junction increases in area; (ii) a perforation forms in the enlarging synaptic junction; (iii) a synaptic spinule appears apposed to the perforation in the postsynaptic density; (iv) the perforation in the synaptic junction increases in size until the synaptic junction splits into two separate synaptic junctions within the same synaptic terminal; and (v) the dendritic spine divides into two, each containing a synaptic junction. Physiological responses in which synapse division may possibly play a role include hormone-induced neuronal changes, reinnervation of dendrites after lesions, and learning and memory.