LTP promotes formation of multiple spine synapses between a single axon terminal and a dendrite

N. Toni, P.-A. Buchs, I. Nikonenko, C. R. Bron and D. Muller ()
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N. Toni: Neuropharmacology, CMU, University of Geneva
P.-A. Buchs: Neuropharmacology, CMU, University of Geneva
I. Nikonenko: Neuropharmacology, CMU, University of Geneva
C. R. Bron: Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern
D. Muller: Neuropharmacology, CMU, University of Geneva

Nature, 1999, vol. 402, issue 6760, 421-425

Abstract: Abstract Structural remodelling of synapses1,2,3,4 and formation of new synaptic contacts5,6,7,8 has been postulated as a possible mechanism underlying the late phase of long-term potentiation (LTP), a form of plasticity which is involved in learning and memory9. Here we use electron microscopy to analyse the morphology of synapses activated by high-frequency stimulation and identified by accumulated calcium in dendritic spines. LTP induction resulted in a sequence of morphological changes consisting of a transient remodelling of the postsynaptic membrane followed by a marked increase in the proportion of axon terminals contacting two or more dendritic spines. Three-dimensional reconstruction revealed that these spines arose from the same dendrite. As pharmacological blockade of LTP prevented these morphological changes, we conclude that LTP is associated with the formation of new, mature and probably functional synapses contacting the same presynaptic terminal and thereby duplicating activated synapses.

Date: 1999
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DOI: 10.1038/46574

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