Spine Morphogenesis
Spine Morphogenesis - Related Videos
02:50
Morphogenesis
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2026
Plant morphogenesis—the development of a plant’s form and structure—involves several overlapping developmental processes, including growth and cell differentiation. Precursor cells differentiate into specific cell types, which are organized into the tissues and organ systems that make up the functional plant. Plant growth and cell differentiation are under complex hormonal control. Plant hormones regulate gene expression, often in response to environmental stimuli. For example, many plants...
02:49
Harvesting DRG from Rat Spine: A Procedure to Extract Dorsal Root Ganglion from the Spine of a Rat Model
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2023
In this video, we demonstrate the extraction of dorsal root ganglion or DRG from a harvested rat spine for downstream applications.
09:16
Analyzing Craniofacial Morphogenesis in Zebrafish Using 4D Confocal Microscopy
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Cited by 18 •
2014
Time-lapse confocal imaging is a powerful technique useful for characterizing embryonic development. Here, we describe the methodology and characterize craniofacial morphogenesis in wild-type, as well as pdgfra, smad5, and smo mutant embryos.
05:25
Quantification of Dendritic Spines Using Confocal Microscopy Imaging
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2025
Source: Gouder, et. al. Three-dimensional Quantification of Dendritic Spines from Pyramidal Neurons Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. J. Vis. Exp. (2015).This video demonstrates the imaging and analysis of dendritic spines in transduced, immunolabeled pyramidal neurons using confocal microscopy. Background noise is reduced, and dendrites are traced by estimating their diameter and length. Automated spine segmentation involves setting parameters for dendrite and spine dimensions...
05:28
A Mouse Model of Lumbar Spine Instability
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Cited by 14 •
2021
We developed a lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration mouse model by resection of L3–L5 spinous processes along with supra- and inter-spinous ligaments and detachment of paraspinous muscles.
FAQs
Activity-dependent signaling regulates the actin cytoskeleton within dendritic spines. Because actin provides structural support, changes in its organization can cause spines to emerge, enlarge, shrink, or alter their shape. This mechanism links neural activity to physical remodeling at excitatory synapses and allows developing circuits to adjust their connectivity and synaptic strength.
The actin cytoskeleton supplies a dynamic structural framework for dendritic spines. Signals associated with neural activity can modify this framework, producing measurable changes in spine size and shape rather than leaving synaptic structures fixed. Such remodeling matters because structural state is connected to how excitatory synaptic communication changes during development and adaptation.
Changes in spine emergence, enlargement, shrinkage, and shape can modify the structural organization of excitatory synaptic connections. These alterations influence synaptic strength, allowing neural circuits to adapt as they develop. In neuroscience, this relationship helps explain how activity-dependent structural remodeling contributes to learning, memory, and the refinement of developing connections.
Researchers examine changes in dendritic spine density and structure, including differences in spine formation, maturation, size, and shape. Comparing these features across normal neural development or altered conditions can reveal how synaptic connections are remodeled. The resulting structural information helps relate cellular changes to synaptic communication and circuit development.
In developmental neuroscience, spine morphogenesis provides a way to examine how excitatory synaptic connections form, mature, and undergo activity-dependent remodeling. Researchers use changes in spine structure and density to investigate circuit refinement and the cellular basis of learning and memory. These observations connect structural development with changing patterns of neural communication.
Abnormal dendritic spine density or structure can indicate disrupted synaptic development or remodeling. Researchers therefore examine these features when investigating conditions associated with altered neural connectivity, including autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, and neurodegenerative disease. Spine morphogenesis offers a structural perspective for relating disease-associated changes to excitatory synaptic communication and circuit function.