Most synapses form on small, specialized postsynaptic structures known as dendritic spines1. The influx of Ca2+ ions into such spines—through synaptic receptors and voltage-sensitive Ca2 ...

This suggests that apical dendrites may be organizing information in a spatially grouped way, while basal dendrites may be more focused on aligning inputs with the overall activity of the neuron.

Like the apical oblique dendrites, the tuft dendrites have a low density of NMDA receptors. Harnett's lab is now studying what happens in all of these different types of dendrites as mice perform ...

Surprisingly, each dendrite type followed different rules for synaptic strengthening during learning. Specifically, the team found that synapses on apical dendrites became stronger when activated ...

It had been previously shown by other researchers that around 5% of CA1 pyramidal cells had axons shooting out of their apical dendrites. In other words, the upper regions of the extended cell.

More information: Evidence That Dendritic Mitochondria Negatively Regulate Dendritic Branching in Pyramidal Neurons in the Neocortex, The Journal of Neuroscience, 14 May 2014, 34(20): 6938-6951 ...

These are called apical and basal dendrites, respectively, and the study’s results suggest that they have distinctly different functions.

Basal dendrites extend below the body of the neuron, apical oblique dendrites extend from a trunk that travels up from the body, and tuft dendrites are located at the top of the trunk.