Here is an example image of a smooth dendrite from an aspiny neuron:Īspiny neurons also have lots of variety in their shape. They still have synapses with the axons of other neurons, but their synapses are on the main shaft of their dendrites. Finally, can you see the pyramid shape the neuron has? Aspiny NeuronsĪspiny neurons, by contrast, tend to have smooth dendrites. The axon is in red, notice its location relative to the apical dendrite. Harnett’s lab is now studying what happens in all of these different types of dendrites as mice perform navigation tasks. Like the apical oblique dendrites, the tuft dendrites have a low density of NMDA receptors. The apical dendrite and its branches are in pink. In the tuft dendrites, which receive input from the thalamus, it appears that NMDA spikes can be generated, but not very easily. Here are some images to help you identify the pyramidal shape of spiny neurons and an apical dendrite: It is very common for the axon to exit the soma opposite the apical dendrite in spiny neurons. The longer dendrite is called an apical dendrite (all the others are called basal dendrites). Spiny neurons generally have a “pyramidal” shape, which means they have one longer dendrite that travels towards the surface of the brain. You do not need to trace spines! Here is an example image to help you identify dendritic spines: Spines usually contain a synapse with the axon of another neuron, and having lots of spines increases the surface area available for a neuron to make synapses with lots of other neurons. Learning the difference between a spiny and aspiny neuron will help you trace more accurately! Spiny NeuronsĪ characteristic of all spiny neurons is that their dendrites have small projections called dendritic spines. For example, most neurons fall into two main categories: spiny and aspiny. The goal of this project is to learn all the different cell types in the brain, but we already know a lot. Unlike L5 cells, L2/3 dendrites displayed little sag in response to long current pulses, which suggests a low density of Ih in the dendrites and soma. Guide to Playing Mozak Types of Neurons - Spiny/Aspiny Here we directly measured passive and active properties of the apical dendrites of L2/3 neurons in rat brain slices using dual dendriticsomatic patch-clamp recordings and calcium imaging.

Apical dendrite