The role of estrous cycle in modulating hippocampal function
Although histological evidence suggests that estrous cycle influence CA1 neurons in the mammalian hippocamps, it is still not clear how estrous cycle shapes dendritic spine dynamics and hippocampal spatial coding in vivo.
In this study, the researchers explore estrous-cycle modulation of hippocampal neuron structure and function.
Using longitudinal two-photon imaging across the estrous cycle, they find significant modulation at the synaptic, cellular, and population levels.
The researchers show that spine density peaking during proestrus when estradiol levels are highest and coincided with greater somatodendritic coupling and increased infiltration of back-propagating action potentials into the apical dendrite.
