<p>Hi I am having trouble wrapping my head around the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity which include</p>
<ol>
<li>Sprouting</li>
<li>Rerouting</li>
<li>Pruning</li>
</ol>
<p>I have read conflicting sources of information, some suggesting that sprouting involves axons sprouting and is therefore axonal and also involves dendrites branching out.</p>
<p>I have also seen sources saying that sprouting only refers to the axon and dendrites branching out and extending is something distinct.</p>
<p>Rerouting is essentially the formation of a new neural pathway.</p>
<p>It would be great if someone could clarify the sprouting mechanism for me, and which mechanisms are dendritic, axonal or both.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-11-29T17:06:46.380Z
Where are you reading about sprouting (cite your sources)? Why do you need to classify a mechanism as "axonal" or "dendritic" (what's your goal)?
Bryan Krause
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-11-29T20:06:58.833Z
https://www.krigolsonteaching.com/uploads/4/3/8/4/43848243/nilsen_article.pdf
"Neuronal plasticity mediated by sprouting can involve alteration in dendritic spine"

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/sprout
"Dendrites sprout only after axon begins projection"

https://www.nature.com/articles/282506a0?error=cookies_not_supported&code=6279fe48-e74a-4d88-b7d4-f3cc8803c35a

"Sprouting can occur in two ways: from axon terminals (terminal sprouting) or from the intramuscular axons themselves, probably from the nodes of Ranvier (collateral sprouting)"
charl2.718
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-11-29T20:09:48.347Z
@BryanKrause Above are my sources, and the reason why I'm needing to classify it is (im in hs atm) and if a question was asking 'sketch sprouting' or something, I don't know whether or not I would include dendrites expanding as part of the diagram.
charl2.718
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-11-30T15:44:51.840Z
I don't think that sounds like a very productive study strategy. Aside from perhaps usage in some subfields, it does not appear to me that "sprouting" is specific terminology. Expect each user to define it.
Bryan Krause
<neuroscience><neurophysiology><plasticity>
Is sprouting an example of an axonal or dendritic mechanism of synaptic plasticity?
charl2.718
# Is sprouting an example of an axonal or dendritic mechanism of synaptic plasticity?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-11-29)

Hi I am having trouble wrapping my head around the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity which include

1. Sprouting
2. Rerouting
3. Pruning

I have read conflicting sources of information, some suggesting that sprouting involves axons sprouting and is therefore axonal and also involves dendrites branching out.

I have also seen sources saying that sprouting only refers to the axon and dendrites branching out and extending is something distinct.

Rerouting is essentially the formation of a new neural pathway.

It would be great if someone could clarify the sprouting mechanism for me, and which mechanisms are dendritic, axonal or both.

**Tags:** neuroscience, neurophysiology, plasticity

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Where are you reading about sprouting (cite your sources)? Why do you need to classify a mechanism as "axonal" or "dendritic" (what's your goal)?  
> **username_0**: https://www.krigolsonteaching.com/uploads/4/3/8/4/43848243/nilsen_article.pdf "Neuronal plasticity mediated by sprouting can involve alteration in dendritic spine"  https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/sprout "Dendrites sprout only after axon begins projection"  https://www.nature.com/articles/282506a0?error=cookies_not_supported&code=6279fe48-e74a-4d88-b7d4-f3cc8803c35a  "Sprouting can occur in two ways: from axon terminals (terminal sprouting) or from the intramuscular axons themselves, probably from the nodes of Ranvier (collateral sprouting)"  
> **username_0**: @BryanKrause Above are my sources, and the reason why I'm needing to classify it is (im in hs atm) and if a question was asking 'sketch sprouting' or something, I don't know whether or not I would include dendrites expanding as part of the diagram.  
> **username_1**: I don't think that sounds like a very productive study strategy. Aside from perhaps usage in some subfields, it does not appear to me that "sprouting" is specific terminology. Expect each user to define it.  

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## 0 answers

