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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
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Large-scale Three-dimensional Imaging of Cellular Organization in the Mouse Neocortex
Published on: September 5, 2018
An embedded subnetwork of highly active neurons in the neocortex
Lina Yassin1, Brett L Benedetti, Jean-Sébastien Jouhanneau
1Department of Biological Sciences and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Neuron
|December 22, 2010
Summary
Most neocortical neurons fire infrequently. This study found that highly active neurons, identified using fosGFP, exhibit increased excitation and decreased inhibition, forming interconnected networks potentially involved in sensory information processing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cellular Neuroscience
- Systems Neuroscience
Background:
- Neocortical neuron activity is predominantly low-firing (<0.1 Hz), suggesting a small subset of neurons dominates network function.
- Understanding the properties and roles of these highly active neurons is crucial for comprehending neocortical processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics of neurons with a recent history of elevated activity in the neocortex.
- To determine the functional properties and connectivity of these active neuronal populations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a fosGFP transgenic mouse model to identify neurons with recent high activity.
- Recorded neuronal firing rates in vivo and in vitro.
- Performed paired-cell recordings to assess neuronal connectivity.
- Analyzed excitatory and inhibitory drive to identified neuronal populations.
Main Results:
- FosGFP-expressing (fosGFP+) layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons exhibited significantly higher firing rates than fosGFP(-) neurons.
- Elevated activity in fosGFP+ neurons was associated with increased excitatory and decreased inhibitory input.
- Paired-cell recordings revealed a higher probability of synaptic connections between fosGFP+ neurons.
Conclusions:
- The neocortex contains highly active, interconnected neuronal ensembles.
- These active neuronal populations may play a significant role in the encoding of sensory information.
- The findings highlight the functional heterogeneity of neocortical neurons and the importance of active ensembles.
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