Skip to main content
Log in

The morphology of synapses

  • Published:
Journal of Neurocytology

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Akert, K., Pfenninger, K., Sandri, C. &Moor, H. (1972) Freeze-etching and the cytochemistry of vesicles and membrane complexes in synapses of the central nerous system. In Structure and Function of Synapses (edited byPappas, G. D. &Purpura, D. P.) pp. 67–86. New York: Raven Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beaulieu, C., Kisvarday, Z., Somogyi, P., Cyander, M., &Cowey, A. (1992) Quantitative distribution of GABA-immunopositive and-immunonegative neurons and synapses in the monkey striate cortex (area 17).Cerebral Cortex 2, 295–309.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, M. V. L. (1977) Electrical transmission: a functional analysis and comparison to chemical transmission. InHandbook of Physiology, Section 1, The Nervous System, Vol. 1 Cellular Biology of Neurons (edited byKandel, E. R.) pp. 357–416. Bethesda, MA: American Physiology Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, M. K., Calakos, N. &Scheller, R. H. (1992) Syntaxin: a synaptic protein implicated in docking of synaptic vesicles at presynaptic active zones.Science 257, 255–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bodian, D. (1972). Synaptic diversity and characterization by electron microscopy. InStructure and Function of Synapses. (edited byPappas, G. &Purpura, D. P.) pp. 45–65. New York: Raven Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bodian, D. (1975). Origin of specific synaptic types in the motoneuron neuropil of the monkey.Journal of Comparative Neurology 159, 225–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calakos, N. &Scheller, R. H. (1996) Synaptic vesicle biogenesis, docking and fusion: a molecular description.Physiological Reviews 76, 1–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlin, R. C., Bartelt, D. C. &Siekevitz, P. (1983). Identification of fodrin as a major calmodulin-binding protein in postsynaptic density preparations.Journal of Cell Biology 96, 449–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colonnier, M. (1968) Synaptic patterns on different cell types in the different laminae of the cat visual cortex. An electron microscope study.Brain Research 9, 268–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conradi, S. (1969) Ultrastructure and distribution of neuronal and glial elements on the motoneuron surface in the lumbrosacral spinal cord of the adult cat.Acta Physiologica Scandinavica (suppl.)332, 5–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Defelipe, J., Hendry, S. H. C., Hashikawa, T., Moninari, M. &Jones, E. G. (1990) A microcolumnar structure of monkey cerebral cortex revealed by immunocytochemical studies of double bouquet cell axons.Neuroscience 37, 655–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dennison, M. E. (1971) Electron stereoscopy as a means of classifying synaptic vesticles.Journal of Cell Science 8, 525–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dreyer, F. K., Peper, K., Akert, K., Sandri, C. &Moor, H. (1973) Ultrastructure of the active zone in the frog neuromuscular junction.Brain Research 62, 373–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fairén, A., Peters, A. &Saldanha, J. (1977) A new procedure for examining Golgi impregnated neurons by light and electron microscopy.Journal of Neurocytology 6, 311–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Famiglietti, E. V. &Peters, A. (1972) The synaptic glomerulus and the intrinsic neuron in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat.Journal of Comparative Neurology 144, 285–334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fitzpatrick, D., Penny, A. R. &Schmechel, I. M. (1984) Glutamic acid decarboxylase-immunoreactive neurons and terminals in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat.Journal of Neuroscience 4, 1809–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster, M. &Sherrington, C. S. (1897)A Text Book of Physiology, Vol. 3: The Central Nervous System, 7th Edn. London: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fulton, J. F. (1938).The Physiology of the Nervous System. London: Oxford Medical Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furshpan, E. J. &Potter, D. D. (1959) Transmission at the giant motor synapses of the crayfish.Journal of Physiology 145, 289–325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gennisman, Y., Detoledo-Morrell, L., Morrell, F., Persina, I. S. &Beatty, M. A. (1996) Synapse restructuring associated with the maintenance phase of hippocampal long-term potentiation.Journal of Comparative Neurology 368, 413–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gotow, T. (1992) The cytoplasmic structure of axon terminal.Progress in Neurobiology 39, 443–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, E. G. (1959) Axosomatic and axodendritic synapses of the cerebral cortex.Journal of Anatomy 93, 420–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, E. G. (1963) Electron microscopy of presynaptic organelles of the spinal cord.Journal of Anatomy 97, 101–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, E. G. (1966) Problems of interpreting the fine structure of vertebrate and invertebrate synapses.International Review of General and Experimental Zoology 2, 139–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenough, W. T. &Chang, F-L. F. (1988) Plasticity of synapse structure and pattern in the cerebral cortex. InDevelopment and Maturation of Cerebral Cortex Cerebral Cortex, vol 7. (edited byPeters, A. &Jones, E. G.) pp. 391–440. New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gulley, R. L., Landis, D. M. D. &Reese, T. S. (1978) Internal organization of membranes at end bulbs of Held in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus.Journal of Comparative Neurology 180, 707–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamos, J. E., Van Horn, S. C., Raczkowski, D., Uhlrich, J. &Sherman, S. M. (1985) Synaptic connectivity of a local circuit neuron in lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat.Nature 317, 618–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helfert, R. H., Juiz, J. M., Bledsoe, S. C., Bonneau, J. M., Wenthold, R. J. &Altschuler, R. A. (1992) Patterns of glutamate, glycine, and GABA immunolabelling in four synaptic terminal classes in the lateral superior olive of the guinea pig.Journal of Comparative Neurology 323, 305–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuser, J. E. &Reese, T. S. (1973) Evidence for recycling of synaptic vesicle membrane during transmitter release at the frog neuro-muscular junction.Journal of Cell Biology 57, 315–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, C. A., Schenker, L. G. &Kennedy, M. (1966) PSD-95 is associated with the presynaptic membrane at forebrain synapses.Journal of Neuroscience 16, 1380–2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ichimura, T. &Hashimoto, P. H. (1988) Structural components in the synaptic cleft captured by freezesubstitution and deep etching of directly frozen cerebellar cortex.Journal of Neurocytology 1, 3–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, E. G. (1985)The Thalamus. New York. Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, D. G. &Harris, R. J. (1995) An analysis of contemporary morphological concepts of synaptic remodelling in the CNS: perforated synapses revisited.Reviews in the Neurosciences 6, 177–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larramendi, L. M. H., Fickenscher, L. &Lemkyjohnston, N. (1967) Synaptic vesicles of inhibitory and excitatory terminals in the cerebellum.Science 156, 967–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lenn, N. J. &Reese, T. S. (1966) The fine structure of nerve endings in the nucleus of the trapezoid body and the ventral cochlear nucleus.American Journal of Anatomy 118, 375–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, K. A. C. (1988) From single cells to simple circuits in the cerebral cortex.Quarterly Journal of Experimental Physiology 73, 637–702.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mclaughlin, B. J. (1972) The fine structure of neurons and synapses in the motor nuclei of the cat spinal cord.Journal of Comparative Neurology 144, 429–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakajima, Y. (1974) Fine structure of the synaptic endings on the Mauthner cell of the goldfish.Journal of Comparative Neurology 156, 375–402.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palade, G. E. &Palay, S. L. (1954) Electron microscope observations of interneuronal and neuromuscular synapses.Anatomical Record 118, 335–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Palay, S. L. (1956) Synapses in the central nervous system.Journal of Biophysical and Biochemical Cytology. 2 (Suppl.), 193–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palay, S. L. &Chan-Palay, V. (1974)Cerebellar Cortex: Cytology and Organization. New York and Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pannese, E. (1994).Neurocytology. Fine Structure of Neurons, Nerve Processes, and Neuroglial Cells. New York and Stuttgart, George Thieme Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, A. (1990) The axon terminals of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-containing nonpyramidal neurons in rat visual cortex.Journal of Neurocytology 19, 584–600.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, A. &Harriman, K. M. (1990) Different kinds of axon terminals forming symmetric synapses with the cell bodies and initial axon segments of layer II/III pyramidal cells. I. A Morphometric analysis.Journal of Neurocytology 19, 154–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, A. &Jones, E. G. (eds) (1984)Cellular Components of the Cerebral Cortex, Vol. 1. New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, A. &Kaiserman-Abramof, I. R. (1969) The small pyramidal neuron of the rat cerebral cortex. The synapses upon dendritic spines.Zeitschrift für Zellforschung 100, 487–506.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, A., Sethares, C. &Harriman, K. M. (1990) Different kinds of axon terminals forming symmetric synapses with the cell bodies and initial axon segments of layer II/III pyramidal cells. II Synaptic junctions.Journal of Neurocytology 19, 584–600.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, A., Palay, S. L. &Webster, Def. H. (1991)The Fine Structure of the Nervous System. Neurons and Their Supporting Cells. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rall, W., Shepherd, G. M., Reese, T. S. &Brightman, M. W. (1966) Dendrodendritic synaptic pathway for inhibition in the olfactory bulb.Experimental Neurology 14, 44–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, J. D. (1953) Ultrastructure of two invertebrate synapses.Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine 82, 219–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabatina, D. D., Bensch, K. &Barnett, R. J. (1963) Cytochemistry and electron microscopy: the preservation of cellular ultrastructure and enzymatic activity by aldehyde fixation.Journal of Cell Biology 17, 19–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandri, C., van Buren, J. M. &Akert, K. (1977)Membrane Morphology of the Vertebrate Nervous System. A Study in Freeze-etch Technique. Progress in Brain Research Vol. 46. Amsterdam: Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shepherd, G. M. &Greer, C. A. (1990) Olfactory bulb. InThe Synaptic Organization of the Brain. 3rd Edition (edited byShepherd, G. M.) pp. 133–69. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherrington, C. S. (1906)The Integrative Action of the Nervous System. New Haven: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sur, C., Triller, A. &Korn, H. (1995) morphology of the release site of inhibitory synapses on the soma and dendrite of an identified neuron.Journal of Comparative Neurology 351, 247–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taxi, J. (1961) Etude de l'ultrastructure des zones synaptique dans les gangliones sympathetiques de la grenouille.Compte Rendu de l'Academie des Sciences 252, 174–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Todd, A. J., Watt, C., Spike, R. C. &Siegert, W. (1996) Colocalization of GABA, glycine and their receptors at synapses in the rat spinal cord.Journal of Neuroscience 16, 974–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trifaro, J-M. &Vitale, M. L. (1993) Cytoskeleton dynamics during neurotransmitter release.Trends in Neurosciences 16, 466–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Triller, A. &Korn, H. (1982) Transmission at a central inhibitory synapse. III Ultrastructure of physiologically identified and stained terminals.Journal of Neurophysiology 48, 708–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Triller, A. &Korn, H. (1985) Activity-dependent deformation of presynaptic grids at central synapses.Journal of Neurocytology 14, 177–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuttle, R., Masuko, S. &Nakajima, Y. (1987). Small vesicle bouton synapses on the distal half of the lateral dendrite of the goldfish Mauthner cell: freeze-fracture and thin section study.Journal of Comparative Neurology 265, 254–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Valdivia, O. (1971) Methods of fixation and the morphology of synaptic vesicles.Journal of Comparative Neurology 142, 257–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volknandt, W. (1995) The synaptic vesicle and its targets.Neuroscience 64, 277–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, J. R., Friedlander, M. J. &Sherman, S. M. (1984) Fine structural morphology of identified X-and Y-cells in the cat's lateral geniculate nucleus.Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B 221, 411–36.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

25th Anniversary Issue

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Peters, A., Palay, S.L. The morphology of synapses. J Neurocytol 25, 687–700 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02284835

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02284835

Navigation