The hippocampus, situated within the mammalian brain, evinces a notable proclivity for structural reorganization. Alterations in the dendritic complexity and synapse count of preexisting neural circuits, alongside the genesis of entirely novel neural connections through neurogenesis, characterize this phenomenon. Initially circumscribed to developmental stages, there is a widely accepted acknowledgment that the hippocampus retains its structural plasticity throughout the entirety of an individual’s lifespan. Plasticity in neuroscience refers to the brain’s dynamic and flexible nature, allowing it to modify its function and structure in response to various factors, thus enabling cognitive, behavioral, and functional adaptability. This chapter focuses on the facets of hippocampal structural and synaptic plasticity pertinent to lifespan considerations, meticulously expounding upon the methodologies employed in experimental investigations. The discourse extends to an exploration of how diverse experiential factors modulate this structural plasticity, delving into its conceivable repercussions on hippocampal functionalities such as learning, memory, anxiety, and stress regulation. Understanding the mechanisms of hippocampal plasticity provides insights into the cellular basis of learning and memory and their implications for addressing neurological disorders associated with cognitive deficits. Despite discernible advancements in these domains, unresolved issues are discerned, thereby underscoring the imperative for further scholarly scrutiny.

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Structural and Synaptic Plasticity in the Hippocampus

  • A. Cihangir Uğuz,
  • Züleyha Doğanyiğit

摘要

The hippocampus, situated within the mammalian brain, evinces a notable proclivity for structural reorganization. Alterations in the dendritic complexity and synapse count of preexisting neural circuits, alongside the genesis of entirely novel neural connections through neurogenesis, characterize this phenomenon. Initially circumscribed to developmental stages, there is a widely accepted acknowledgment that the hippocampus retains its structural plasticity throughout the entirety of an individual’s lifespan. Plasticity in neuroscience refers to the brain’s dynamic and flexible nature, allowing it to modify its function and structure in response to various factors, thus enabling cognitive, behavioral, and functional adaptability. This chapter focuses on the facets of hippocampal structural and synaptic plasticity pertinent to lifespan considerations, meticulously expounding upon the methodologies employed in experimental investigations. The discourse extends to an exploration of how diverse experiential factors modulate this structural plasticity, delving into its conceivable repercussions on hippocampal functionalities such as learning, memory, anxiety, and stress regulation. Understanding the mechanisms of hippocampal plasticity provides insights into the cellular basis of learning and memory and their implications for addressing neurological disorders associated with cognitive deficits. Despite discernible advancements in these domains, unresolved issues are discerned, thereby underscoring the imperative for further scholarly scrutiny.