Dendrites are specific extensive cytoplasmic regions that ensure effective connectivity in almost all neurons. Dendritogenesis, the development of dendritic arbor, more precisely the number of dendrites, their shape and their branching pattern vary according to neuronal types. Dendritic trees receive various synaptic inputs from other neurons and their primary function is to integrate and transmit these incoming signals to the cell body leading or not to the creation of an action potential.
During development stages, the dendritogenesis relies on a combination of various factors including cell-intrinsic genetic programs and extracellular signals, such as trophic factors signaling, cell–cell interactions, and neuronal activity. Dendrites grow in length, enter a period of dynamic branching and retractions followed by a period of stabilization, where dendritic arbors are less dynamic.
Each dendrite possesses a unique arrangement of receptors and ion channels as well as organelles like mitochondria and ribosomes that enables it to alter protein density in response to changes in activity of neuronal inputs.
Understanding the development and regulation of dendritic arbors and spines, and the cell biological control of dendritic properties, presents an important and challenging field of research.
Indeed, the formation of dendrites is essential for the development of neuronal circuit activity, but also for experience-dependent plasticity that plays a key role in physiological processes such as learning and memory. Numerous human diseases and disorders such as epilepsy are now known to be tied to dendritic function disruptions. So far, several in vitro and in vivo model systems proved that various intrinsic and extrinsic parameters influence dendritogenesis, the dendritic electrical activity and its protein synthesis, but mechanisms of dendritogenesis are only partially understood.
The purpose of this Research Topic is to compile the latest developments in Dendritogenesis, including new imaging techniques, the development of biosensors for dendrite activity detection, and to outline recent discoveries related to dendrite development and function in health or diseases.
These include Review, Perspective, Method papers as well as Original Research papers that provide novel insights into dendrite function using various model systems and experimental preparations.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
Cellular mechanisms contributing to dendrite growth, stabilization, and remodeling
Dendritic spine formation and plasticity
Dendritic inhibitory synapses
Cellular signaling following dendrite electrical activity
Morphological and functional characterization of dendrites
Dendritic anatomical localization and regulation of diverse receptors, ion channel and organelles
The roles of dendritic molecules, structures, and functions in neurons, and neural circuits in health or diseases.
New techniques/models for imaging dendrites or dendrite activity
Our goal is to bring together studies investigating the field of Dendritogenesis to better understand the crucial role dendrites might have in some neurological diseases.
Dendrites are specific extensive cytoplasmic regions that ensure effective connectivity in almost all neurons. Dendritogenesis, the development of dendritic arbor, more precisely the number of dendrites, their shape and their branching pattern vary according to neuronal types. Dendritic trees receive various synaptic inputs from other neurons and their primary function is to integrate and transmit these incoming signals to the cell body leading or not to the creation of an action potential.
During development stages, the dendritogenesis relies on a combination of various factors including cell-intrinsic genetic programs and extracellular signals, such as trophic factors signaling, cell–cell interactions, and neuronal activity. Dendrites grow in length, enter a period of dynamic branching and retractions followed by a period of stabilization, where dendritic arbors are less dynamic.
Each dendrite possesses a unique arrangement of receptors and ion channels as well as organelles like mitochondria and ribosomes that enables it to alter protein density in response to changes in activity of neuronal inputs.
Understanding the development and regulation of dendritic arbors and spines, and the cell biological control of dendritic properties, presents an important and challenging field of research.
Indeed, the formation of dendrites is essential for the development of neuronal circuit activity, but also for experience-dependent plasticity that plays a key role in physiological processes such as learning and memory. Numerous human diseases and disorders such as epilepsy are now known to be tied to dendritic function disruptions. So far, several in vitro and in vivo model systems proved that various intrinsic and extrinsic parameters influence dendritogenesis, the dendritic electrical activity and its protein synthesis, but mechanisms of dendritogenesis are only partially understood.
The purpose of this Research Topic is to compile the latest developments in Dendritogenesis, including new imaging techniques, the development of biosensors for dendrite activity detection, and to outline recent discoveries related to dendrite development and function in health or diseases.
These include Review, Perspective, Method papers as well as Original Research papers that provide novel insights into dendrite function using various model systems and experimental preparations.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
Cellular mechanisms contributing to dendrite growth, stabilization, and remodeling
Dendritic spine formation and plasticity
Dendritic inhibitory synapses
Cellular signaling following dendrite electrical activity
Morphological and functional characterization of dendrites
Dendritic anatomical localization and regulation of diverse receptors, ion channel and organelles
The roles of dendritic molecules, structures, and functions in neurons, and neural circuits in health or diseases.
New techniques/models for imaging dendrites or dendrite activity
Our goal is to bring together studies investigating the field of Dendritogenesis to better understand the crucial role dendrites might have in some neurological diseases.
