Visualization and functional exploration of deep brain spine enlargement associated with learning

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20683
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0704:Neuroscience, brain sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Sawada Takeshi 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科(医学部), 助教 (40908563)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: シナプス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Morphological changes in dendritic spines have long been thought to be the foundation of memory. However, due to optical limitations, it is difficult to observe the actual changes in spine morphology in most brain areas, excluding the surface.　The objective of this research was to map the enlargement of spines in a wide range of brain areas, including deep regions, in living organisms through the observation of probes that specifically label recently enlarged spines. Furthermore, the study aimed to develop a new method for manipulating spines in order to explore the functions of these enlarged spines.

During the research period, we have successfully developed a probe that labels increased spines with about 10 times the specificity of conventional methods using an isolated culture system. Furthermore, we have newly developed a method for the enlargement and shrinkage of the spines using chemical techniques, and are advancing its application in vivo.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

増大スパインの機能を脳広範で調べる本研究の手法は、スパイン増大を伴うあらゆる学習行動に適用することができる。これにより、様々な学習・記憶の基盤となるシナプス・回路構造を明らかにできれば、新しい学習理論の構築や、機械学習研究にも影響を与えうる。