Presynaptic Vesicles Supply Membrane for Axonal Bouton Enlargement during Long Term Potentiation
Abstract
Long-term potentiation (LTP) induces presynaptic bouton enlargement and a reduction in the number of synaptic vesicles. To understand the relationship between these events, we performed 3D analysis of serial section electron micrographs in rat hippocampal area CA1, 2 hours after LTP induction. We observed a high vesicle packing density in control boutons, contrasting with a lower density in most LTP boutons. Notably, the summed membrane area of the vesicles lost in low-density LTP boutons is comparable to the surface membrane required for the observed bouton enlargement when compared to high-density control boutons. These novel findings suggest that presynaptic vesicle density provides a new structural indicator of LTP that supports a local mechanism of bouton enlargement.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Nerve injury and regeneration
Botulinum Toxin and Related Neurological Disorders
Cellular transport and secretion
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Neuroscience
- Publisher
- Society for Neuroscience
- Volume
- 46
- Issue
- 26
- Pages
- e1335252026–e1335252026
- Publication date
- 2 June 2026
- Language
- EN