Naomi Kamasawa

Mitochondria remodel near synapses to boost metabolic capacity and fuel plasticity

The paper investigates how mitochondria near synapses remodel to increase ATP production and support synaptic plasticity through structural and functional changes.

PMP22 associates with MPZ via their transmembrane domains and disrupting this interaction causes a loss-of-function phenotype similar to hereditary neuropathy associated with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP).

This study identifies the molecular interaction between PMP22 and MPZ through their transmembrane domains and shows how disrupting this interaction causes a loss-of-function phenotype in hereditary neuropathy.

Astrocyte coverage of excitatory synapses correlates to measures of synapse structure and function in primary visual cortex

The paper examines how astrocyte coverage of synapses in the ferret visual cortex correlates with synaptic structure and function, finding strong relationships between coverage and synaptic size, complexity, and functional properties.

A multi-faceted analysis of synapses reveals the role of neuroligin-1 cleavage in presynaptic vesicle accumulation in the lateral amygdala

This study shows that preventing NLGN1 cleavage increases synaptic vesicle docking and miniature currents in lateral amygdala synapses, revealing structural and functional roles of NLGN1 cleavage in native brain tissue.

Postsynaptic mitochondria are positioned to support functional diversity of dendritic spines

The paper examines the positioning of mitochondria relative to dendritic spines in ferret visual cortex, finding no correlation with synaptic strength but instead suggesting a role in supporting diverse functional inputs.

Presynaptic Rac1 controls synaptic strength through the regulation of synaptic vesicle priming.

This study shows that presynaptic Rac1 regulates synaptic strength by controlling synaptic vesicle priming and release probability in mouse calyx of Held synapses.

Selective activation of BK channels in small-headed dendritic spines suppresses excitatory postsynaptic potentials

The paper shows that BK channels in small-headed dendritic spines reduce EPSP amplitude and enhance calcium signals, suggesting a role in synaptic regulation.

A binocular synaptic network supports interocular response alignment in visual cortical neurons

The paper investigates how binocular synaptic networks in visual cortical neurons contribute to interocular response alignment through functional and structural analysis.

Computational modeling predicts acidic microdomains in the glutamatergic synaptic cleft

The paper models pH dynamics in the synaptic cleft of Drosophila NMJ, showing rapid acidification followed by prolonged alkalinization, resolving the discrepancy between ASIC activation and pH measurements.

Cortical neuron response selectivity derives from strength in numbers of synapses

The paper challenges the Hebbian plasticity model by showing that cortical neuron selectivity arises from the total number of synapses, not strong individual inputs.

Presynaptic development is controlled by the core active zone proteins CAST/ELKS

The paper investigates the role of CAST/ELKS in presynaptic development, finding reduced surface area and increased active zone size but no impairment in synaptic transmission.

Rapid Ultrastructural Changes of PSD and Extrasynaptic Axon-spine Interface Membrane during LTP Induced in Single Dendritic Spine

The paper uses high throughput correlative light-electron microscopy to analyze rapid ultrastructural changes in dendritic spines during LTP, finding rapid reorganization of the PSD and increased eASI area.

Presynaptic mitochondria volume and abundance increase during development of a high-fidelity synapse

The paper measures mitochondrial volume changes in calyx of Held synapses during development and finds increased mitochondrial volumes from postnatal day 7 to 21.