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Dendrodendritic synapses are connections between the dendrites of two different neurons. This is in contrast to the more common axodendritic synapse (chemical synapse) where the axon sends signals and the dendrite receives them. Dendrodendritic Synapses are activated in a similar fashion Axodendritic synapses. There is also evidence of bi-directionality in signaling at dendrodendritic synapses. Ordinarily, one of the dendrites will display inhibitory effects while the other will display excitatory effects. Ordinarily, one of the dendrites will display inhibitory effects while the other will display excitatory effects. [1] The actual signaling mechanism utilizes Na+ and Ca2+ pumps in a similar manner to those found in axodendritic synapses.
History
editIn 1966 Wilfrid Rall, Gordon Shepard, Thomas Reese, and Milton Brightman found a novel pathway, dendrites that signaled to dendrites. While studying the mammalian olfactory bulb they found that there were active dendrites that coupled and send signals to each other. The topic was then only explored sporadically due to difficulties with techniques and technology available to further investigate Dendrodendritic synapses. Investigations into this phenomenon of active dendrites has resurfaced with vigor at the start the 21st century.
The study of dendrodendritic synapses in the olfactory bulb provided some early examples of ideas about neuronal organization relating to dendritic spines[2]
1.One spine could serve as an input-output unit
2.One neuron can contain multiple dendritic spines
3.These spines are widely spaced, indicating some independent function
4.Synaptic input-output events can occur without axonal stimulation
Location
editDendrodendritic synapses have been found and studied in both the olfactory bulb and the retina. They have also been found though not extensively studied in the following brain regions: thalamus, substantia nigra, locus ceruleus. [3]
Dendrodendritic Synapses in the Olfactory bulb
Dendrodendritic synapses have been studied extensively in the Olfactory bulb of rats where it is believed they help in the process of differentiating smells. Granule cells communicate exclusively through dendrodendritic synapses because they lack axons. These granule cells form dendrodendritic synapses with mitral cells to convey odor information from the olfactory bulb. Lateral inhibition from the granule cell spines helps to contribute to contrasts between odors and in odor memory. [4]
Dendrodendritic Synapses have also been found to have similar effects on olfactory input from the glomeruli of the antennal lobe of insect.
Dendrodendritic Synapses in the Retina
The spatial and color contrast systems of the retina operate in a similar manner. Dendrodendritic homologous gap junctions have been found as a way of communication between dendrites in the retinal α-type Ganglion cells to produce a faster method of communication to modulate the color contrast system.
Neuroplasticity
Dendrodendritic synapses can play a role in neuroplasticity. In a simulated disease state where axons were destroyed, some neurons formed dendrodendritic synapses to compensate. [5]
References
editReferences
- ^ Shepard, G.M. (1996). "The dendritic spine: a multifunctional integrative unit". J. Neurophysiol. 75: 2197–2210. PMID 8793734.
- ^ Shepard, G.M. (1996). "The dendritic spine: a multifunctional integrative unit". J. Neurophysiol. 75: 2197–2210. PMID 8793734.
- ^ Shepard, G.M. (July 2009). "Dendrodendritic synapses: past, present and future". Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1170. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.03937.x. PMC 3819211.
- ^ Shepard, G.M. (July 2009). "Dendrodendritic synapses: past, present and future". Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1170. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.03937.x. PMC 3819211.
- ^ Hamori, J (2009). "Morphological plasticity of postsynaptic neurones in reactive synaptogenesis". J Exp Biol. 153: 251–260.
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Feedback
editNice start to your new article on dendrodendritic synapses. I fixed some minor formatting issues, but a couple concerns remain
- There are a few statements that are not supported by inline citations (for example, most of the History section. It is important that every statement is supported by a citation.
- Most of the sources you use are rather old. Except for sources of historical information, you should stick to recent articles, preferably ones that are less than five years old. Anything older runs the risk of being out of date, as new discoveries are made. This is a subject that is being actively studied - articles from before 2005 are likely to be out of date, far less ones from the 1990s.