Sleep and wake modulate spine turnover in the adolescent mouse cortex

Cortical development involves synaptic formation and elimination. While synaptogenesis predominates earlier and pruning later, the two processes are thought to happen concurrently. Since in adults synaptic strength is modulated by behavioral state, we asked if synaptic remodeling may be affected by sleep and wake. Using two-photon microscopy in adolescent mice, we found that wake results in a net increase in cortical spines, whereas sleep is associated with net spine loss.