Biology A fundamental step towards understanding the function of the brain is deciphering the process of synaptogenesis. Synaptogenesis is critical in the initial establishment of synaptic connections and the refinement of the connections that occur throughout brain development.
Glutamatergic synapses are the most abundant synapses within the vertebrate central nervous system.
Yet, despite the importance of the glutamatergic synapse, the details of its formation remain to be determined. During the previous year, our laboratory has been active in several aspects of the area of synaptogenesis. Space limitations do not permit a detailed review. We have attempted to characterize the process of AMPA receptors clustering during synaptogenesis by using electrophysiological methods to determine directly the distribution of functional glutamate receptors along dendrites of cultured hippocampal neurons during different stages of synaptogenesis. Using this technique, we characterized the insertion, clustering, and activation of functional glutamate receptors during synaptogenesis in hippocampal cultures.