Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Real-time Electrophysiology: Using Closed-loop Protocols to Probe Neuronal Dynamics and Beyond
Published on: June 24, 2015
Boosting of action potential backpropagation by neocortical network activity in vivo
Jack Waters1, Fritjof Helmchen
1Abteilung Zellphysiologie, Max-Planck-Institut für medizinische Forschung, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. jwaters@mpimf-heidelberg.mpg.de
Abstract:
Action potentials backpropagate into the dendritic trees of pyramidal neurons, reporting output activity to the sites of synaptic input and provoking long-lasting changes in synaptic strength. It is unclear how this retrograde signal is modified by neural network activity. Using whole-cell recordings from somata, apical trunks, and dendritic tuft branches of layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in vivo, we show that network-driven subthreshold membrane depolarizations ("up states") occur simultaneously throughout the apical dendritic tree. This spontaneous synaptic activity enhances action potential-evoked calcium influx into the distal apical dendrite by promoting action potential backpropagation. Hence, somatic feedback to the dendrites becomes stronger with increasing network activity.
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