This study investigates the rapid reprogramming of dendritic translation in response to neuronal depolarization, a process crucial for learning and memory. Using a dendritically targeted proximity labeling approach, the researchers found that depolarization increased the translation of upstream open reading frames (uORFs) and their downstream coding sequences, leading to the production of proteins involved in long-term potentiation, cell signaling, and energy metabolism. This activity-dependent translation was accompanied by the phosphorylation and recruitment of the non-canonical translation initiation factor eIF4G2, which bound to the 5' UTRs of dendritically localized mRNAs. The translated uORFs were sufficient to confer depolarization-induced, eIF4G2-dependent translational control, revealing a novel mechanism by which activity-dependent uORF translational control couples activity to local dendritic remodeling. The study highlights the importance of dendritic mRNA localization and translation in synaptic plasticity and provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes.This study investigates the rapid reprogramming of dendritic translation in response to neuronal depolarization, a process crucial for learning and memory. Using a dendritically targeted proximity labeling approach, the researchers found that depolarization increased the translation of upstream open reading frames (uORFs) and their downstream coding sequences, leading to the production of proteins involved in long-term potentiation, cell signaling, and energy metabolism. This activity-dependent translation was accompanied by the phosphorylation and recruitment of the non-canonical translation initiation factor eIF4G2, which bound to the 5' UTRs of dendritically localized mRNAs. The translated uORFs were sufficient to confer depolarization-induced, eIF4G2-dependent translational control, revealing a novel mechanism by which activity-dependent uORF translational control couples activity to local dendritic remodeling. The study highlights the importance of dendritic mRNA localization and translation in synaptic plasticity and provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes.