Figure 1.

Activity-mediated structural plasticity. Left panel: synaptic networks are characterized by a continuous process of growth (dark blue spine) and elimination (dotted line) of dendritic spines that is developmentally regulated. Middle panel: during learning or learning related activity, baseline turnover is significantly enhanced leading to an increased formation and elimination of synaptic contacts, thus allowing remodeling and adaptation of connectivity. New spines also tend to grow in the proximity of activated synapses favoring the formation of spine clusters. Right panel: newly formed and activated synapses are preferentially stabilized (dotted circles) allowing to maintain important functional connections.