"Changes of synaptic structures associated with learning, memory and di" by Yang Yang, Ju Lu et al.

Home > BRAIN-SCIENCE-ADVANCES > Vol. 4 (2018) > No. 2

Article Title

Changes of synaptic structures associated with learning, memory and diseases

Authors

Yang Yang, School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
Ju Lu, Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
Yi Zuo, Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA

Keywords

synaptic plasticity, spine, axonal bouton, sensory deprivation, learning, neurological disease, multi-synaptic bouton, multi-synaptic spine

Abstract

Synaptic plasticity is widely believed to be the cellular basis of learning and memory. It is influenced by various factors including development, sensory experiences, and brain disorders. Long-term synaptic plasticity is accompanied by protein synthesis and trafficking, leading to structural changes of the synapse. In this review, we focus on the synaptic structural plasticity, which has mainly been studied with in vivo two-photon laser scanning microscopy. We also discuss how a special type of synapses, the multi-contact synapses (including those formed by multi-synaptic boutons and multi-synaptic spines), are associated with experience and learning.