Synaptic calcium transients in single spines indicate that NMDA receptors are not saturated

Article Abstract:

Synaptic [Ca2+] transients in individual dendritic spines can be used to observe quantal release of neurotransmitter and quantify postsynaptic receptor opening. It appears that synaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptors are not saturated by glutamate from a single vesicle. It is possible that the concentration profile of glutamate reaching NMDA-receptors is lower or briefer than widely-recognized estimates. The lack of saturation of NMDA-receptors has several implications for the understanding of the function of excitatory synapses.

Glutamate, Neural receptors

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In vivo dendritic calcium dynamics in neocortical pyramidal neurons

Article Abstract:

Two-photon excitation laser scanning microscopy can measure the dynamics of neural dendrites of the intact brain. A study of anaesthetized rats reveals that simultaneous recordings of intracellular voltage and dendritic [Ca2+] dynamics during whisker stimulation or injection increased [Ca2+] only in coincidence with Na+ action potentials. This implies that a considerable rise in [Ca2+] relies on somatically triggered Na+ action potentials.

Physiological aspects, Brain, Dendrites, Localization (Brain function), Neural stimulation

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Experience-dependent plasticity of dendritic spines in the developing rat barrel cortex in vivo

Article Abstract:

Time-lapse imaging has been used to show that dendritic protrusions are dynamic over timescales of 10 min and over lengths of micrometres. These findings correspond with those of experiments on hippocampal pyramidal cells in cultured brain slices.

Antigen presenting cells

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