Dendrite – Function and Role in the Nervous System
Dendrites are branched extensions of nerve cells that receive electrical and chemical signals from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body.
Things worth knowing about "Dendrite"
Dendrites are branched extensions of nerve cells that receive electrical and chemical signals from other neurons and transmit them to the cell body.
What Is a Dendrite?
A dendrite (from Greek dendron = tree) is a tree-like extension of a nerve cell (neuron). Dendrites form the receiving end of the neuron and transmit incoming electrical and chemical signals from neighboring nerve cells to the cell body (soma), where they are processed. The characteristically branched structure of dendrites greatly increases the surface area of the neuron, allowing it to receive thousands of signals simultaneously.
Structure and Anatomy
Dendrites consist of a finely branching network of projections that extend from the neuron cell body. Their surface is studded with small protrusions known as dendritic spines. These spines are the primary sites of synaptic contact, meaning they are the points at which nerve cells communicate with one another. The number and density of dendrites and their branches vary considerably depending on the type of neuron.
Dendritic Spines
Dendritic spines are small, mushroom-shaped protrusions on the surface of dendrites. They play a central role in synaptic transmission and neuronal plasticity -- the ability of the brain to reorganize itself in response to learning and experience. Changes in the number or shape of these spines are associated with learning processes as well as various neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Function of Dendrites
The primary function of dendrites is to receive afferent (incoming) signals from other neurons or sensory cells. These signals are transmitted in the form of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters at the synapses. Dendrites convert these chemical signals into electrical impulses and relay them to the cell body, where they are integrated and processed. If the resulting signal is strong enough, an action potential is generated and transmitted to the next nerve cell via the axon.
Dendrites in Clinical Context
Changes in dendritic structure play an important role in numerous neurological and psychiatric conditions:
- Alzheimer disease: A marked loss of dendritic spines and dendritic branching occurs, contributing to cognitive decline.
- Schizophrenia: Studies demonstrate a reduced density of dendritic spines in certain brain regions.
- Epilepsy: Structural alterations in dendrites can contribute to abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
- Depression: Chronic stress and depression are associated with a reduction in dendritic branching complexity.
Neuronal Plasticity and Dendrites
A central concept in modern neuroscience is synaptic plasticity -- the ability of synapses to change in strength over time. Dendrites and their spines are the structural basis for this plasticity. Processes such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) alter dendritic structure and are fundamentally involved in learning and memory. The remodeling of dendritic structures is regulated by neuronal activity, growth factors (e.g., BDNF), and pharmacological influences.
References
- Kandel E. R., Schwartz J. H., Jessell T. M. et al. - Principles of Neural Science, 5th edition. McGraw-Hill Medical, 2012.
- Bhatt D. L., Bhatt D. H., Bhatt H. - Dendritic spines and synaptic plasticity. In: Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2009; 10(3): 173-182.
- Kasai H., Matsuzaki M., Noguchi J. et al. - Structure-stability-function relationships of dendritic spines. In: Trends in Neurosciences, 2003; 26(7): 360-368.
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