Semi-automated three-dimensional reconstructions of individual neurons reveal cell type-specific circuits in cortex

Despite a long history of anatomical mapping of neuronal networks, we are only beginning to understand the detailed three-dimensional (3D) organization of the cortical micro-circuitry. This is in part due to the lack of complete reconstructions of individual cortical neurons. Morphological studies are either performed on incomplete cells in vitro, or when performed in vivo, lack the necessary cellular resolution. We recently reconstructed the in vivo axonal and dendritic morphology of two types of L(ayer) 5 neurons from vibrissal cortex. The 3D profiles of short-range as well as longrange projections indicate that L5 slender-tufted and L5 thick-tufted neurons represent very different building blocks of the cortical circuitry. In this addendum to Oberlaender et al. (PNAS 2011), we motivate our technical approach and the advancements this may give in reconstructing the cortical micro-circuitry.