Brief bursts self-inhibit and correlate the pyramidal network.
Thomas K Berger1, Gilad Silberberg, Rodrigo Perin
1Laboratory of Neural Microcircuitry, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Plos Biology
|September 15, 2010
Summary
Brief bursts from a few pyramidal cells (PCs) can synchronize activity in the neocortical microcircuit. This frequency-dependent disynaptic inhibition (FDDI) is mediated by few interneurons and shaped by dendritic I(h) currents.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Computational Neuroscience
Background:
- Inhibitory pathways are crucial for neocortical microcircuit function.
- Layer 5 pyramidal cells (PCs) and Martinotti cells (MCs) form a key frequency-dependent disynaptic inhibition (FDDI) pathway.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how brief bursts of activity in a few PCs influence network activity.
- To elucidate the role of interneurons and dendritic properties in FDDI.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous short bursts were induced in four layer 5 PCs.
- FDDI effects on neighboring PCs were analyzed.
- The influence of dendritic I(h) currents on synaptic integration was examined.
Main Results:
- Simultaneous PC bursts effectively induced FDDI in neighboring PCs within a cortical column.
- Few interneurons mediated this potent inhibition, causing correlated membrane fluctuations and synchronous spiking.
- Somatic integration of inhibition was electrically isolated from monosynaptic excitation.
- Dendritic I(h) currents significantly shaped the integration time window for synaptic inputs.
Conclusions:
- A small number of PCs can synchronize network activity via FDDI.
- This disynaptic mechanism highlights the role of interneurons in network dynamics.
- Dendritic I(h) plays a critical role in integrating inhibitory and excitatory inputs in PCs.
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