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Targeted Labeling of Neurons in a Specific Functional Micro-domain of the Neocortex by Combining Intrinsic Signal and Two-photon Imaging
Published on: December 12, 2012
Dendritic encoding of sensory stimuli controlled by deep cortical interneurons
Masanori Murayama1, Enrique Pérez-Garci, Thomas Nevian
1Physiologisches Institut, Universität Bern, Bühlplatz 5, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland.
Nature
|January 20, 2009
Summary
Active dendritic conductances in layer 5 (L5) pyramidal neurons enhance computational power. Inhibition controls sensory encoding by L5 pyramidal dendrites, enabling linear dynamic range adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Computational Neuroscience
- Cellular Neuroscience
Background:
- Active dendritic conductances significantly enhance neuronal computational power and spike activity.
- Layer 5 (L5) pyramidal neurons utilize apical dendritic calcium channels for plateau potentials, influencing input/output gain and burst firing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how various inputs influence active dendritic properties in vivo.
- To explore the encoding of sensory stimulation strength in L5 pyramidal dendrites.
- To elucidate the role of inhibitory neurons in modulating dendritic activity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a novel fiber-optic method for recording dendritic calcium changes in L5 pyramidal dendrites.
- Recorded activity in populations of L5 pyramidal dendrites in awake and anesthetized rats.
- Performed in vitro recordings from single apical tuft dendrites.
Main Results:
- Sensory stimulation strength is encoded in a graded manner by the population dendritic calcium response of L5 pyramidal cells.
- A specific subset of inhibitory neurons, activated by L5 synaptic inputs, controls the slope of the stimulus-response function.
- Local inhibition via interneurons blocks dendritic calcium spike initiation in neighboring L5 pyramidal neurons.
Conclusions:
- A cortical microcircuit in awake animals relies on active L5 pyramidal dendrite properties and sensitivity to inhibition.
- This microcircuit enables local populations of apical dendrites to linearly encode sensory stimuli across their dynamic range.
- Inhibitory control is crucial for adaptive sensory encoding in cortical circuits.
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