The effect of drebrin on plasticity of dendritic spines and synapses in neurons

Development regulation brain protein (drebrin) is a kind of actin binding proteins which are associated with brain development. Drebrin is located in the dendritic spines in neurons, and plays an important role in dendritic spine morphology and synaptic plasticity. The morphology and function of dendritic spines are responsible for the conditions of synapse development and are involved in the mechanisms of learning and memory functions. The decline in the level of drebrin results in the abnormal dendritic spine morphology and synaptic plasticity, which cognitive impairment as clinical manifestations. Therefore, it is of great importance to assess the effect of drebrin on plasticity of dendritic spines in neurons and to examine its regulation mechanisms, which will provide a new target in the treatment of cognitive impairment and related diseases. In this paper, we present a review on research progress about the effect of drebrin on the plasticity of dendritic spines in neurons.