Learning fine motor skills affects the circuitry of the brain and spine and increases the efficiency of synapses in the primary motor cortex. (Xu et al, 2009) Training in anything leads to rapid formation of dendritic spine on the output side of pyramidal neurons.(Xu et al, 2009) Even though selective removal of certain old dendritic spines occurs during and after training, the overall spine density returns to “normal” to make the skill more efficient. This selective pruning happens within the maintenance phase which occurs during the first few weeks of training after the acquisition phase. (Xu et al, 2009) This is due to rapid reformation of new dendrites that specialize in the task at hand making the body more efficient at the task. (Xu et al, 2009) This suggests that stabilized neuronal connections are the foundation of durable motor memory. (Xu et al, 2009) During the first few steps of training, however, untrained dendritic spines are relatively unstable and plastic. (Xu et al, 2009) Once training in the acquisition phase is complete, the dendritic spines are considered to be stable and associated with skill improvement. (Xu et al, 2009) In conclusion, prolonged training causes stability in dendritic spines and provides a consolidation of memory in basal ganglia
Learning fine motor skills affects the circuitry of the brain and spine and increases the efficiency of synapses in the primary motor cortex. (Xu et al, 2009) Training in anything leads to rapid formation of dendritic spine on the output side of pyramidal neurons.(Xu et al, 2009) Even though selective removal of certain old dendritic spines occurs during and after training, the overall spine density returns to “normal” to make the skill more efficient. This selective pruning happens within the maintenance phase which occurs during the first few weeks of training after the acquisition phase. (Xu et al, 2009) This is due to rapid reformation of new dendrites that specialize in the task at hand making the body more efficient at the task. (Xu et al, 2009) This suggests that stabilized neuronal connections are the foundation of durable motor memory. (Xu et al, 2009) During the first few steps of training, however, untrained dendritic spines are relatively unstable and plastic. (Xu et al, 2009) Once training in the acquisition phase is complete, the dendritic spines are considered to be stable and associated with skill improvement. (Xu et al, 2009) In conclusion, prolonged training causes stability in dendritic spines and provides a consolidation of memory in basal ganglia