Question

there has been numerous studies presented on dendrites and dendritic spines, because of their essential roles within a functional neurocircuit.  First, describe and explain how dendrites and dendritic spines play a significant role in neurocognitive processing on a circuit level.  Second, discuss in detail how dendrites and spines can reflect alterations of brain state in the following topics: (answer all of them)

a) During hormonal changes

b) During learning/memory

c) Social deprivation

Answer 1

Dendrites are tree like extensions at the beginning of e neuron that help increase the surface area of the cell body. These tiny protrusions receive information from other neurons and transmit electrical stimulation to the soma. Electrical stimulation is transmitted onto dendrites by upstream neurons via synapses which are located at various points throughout the dendritic tree. Dendritic play critical role in integrating these synaptic inputs and in determining the extent to which action potentials are produced by the neuron.

Certain classes of dendrites contain small projections referred to as dendritic spines that increase receptive properties of dendrites to isolate signal specificity. Increased neural activity and the establishment of long term potentiation at dendritic spines change the size, shape, and conduction. This ability for dendritic growth is thought to play a role in learning and memory. Dendritic branching can be extensive and in some cases is sufficient to receive as many as, 100,000 inputs to a single neuron.

Among the hormone- induced changes in the VMH is the remodeling the dendritic arbor of VMH neurons. This remodeling involves an increased representation of OT- modulated connections, which may affect glutamate neurotransmission.

To assess the impact of social aor parental deprivation on dendritic and synaptic development in the somatosensory cortex; quantify the amount of paternal/maternal care in relation to total parental investment, compared dendritic and synaptic development of pyramidal neurons in the somatosensory cortex of animals raised by a single mother or both parents.