Abstract
Dendritic spines are cellular microcompartments that are isolated from their parent dendrites and neighboring spines. Recently, imaging studies of spine Ca(2+) dynamics have revealed that Ca(2+) can enter spines through voltage-sensitive and ligand-activated channels, as well as through Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores. Relationships between spine Ca(2+) signals and induction of various forms of synaptic plasticity are beginning to be elucidated. Measurements of spine Ca(2+) concentration are also being used to probe the properties of single synapses and even individual calcium channels in their native environment.
MeSH terms
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Action Potentials / physiology
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Animals
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Calcium Channels / physiology
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Calcium Signaling / physiology*
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Cell Compartmentation
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Dendrites / physiology*
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Dendrites / ultrastructure
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Humans
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Ion Channel Gating
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Ion Transport
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Mice
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Mice, Knockout
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology
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Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
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Purkinje Cells / cytology
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Purkinje Cells / physiology
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Pyramidal Cells / cytology
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Pyramidal Cells / physiology
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Rats
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Rats, Mutant Strains
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Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / physiology
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Signal Transduction / physiology*
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Synaptic Transmission / physiology*
Substances
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Calcium Channels
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate