Structural and functional modifications of presynaptic afferents: Do they correlate with learning mechanisms?

Abstract

We review the modern data on the involvement of structural modifications of presynaptic afferents during the acquisition of individual experiences. During the ontogeny or regeneration of nervous tissue, this mechanism is responsible for adjusting the architecture of neuronal ensembles to the demands of adaptive behavior. The molecular basis of the formation and elimination of additional axonal branches is the modifi cation of the actin cytoskeleton. These modifications involve cell adhesion molecules, as well as extracellular and intracellular signal and regulatory proteins, most of which play an important role in long term plasticity. The possible involvement of structural modifications of presynaptic afferents in long term memory consoli dation is discussed.