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Spatially segregated feedforward and feedback neurons support differential odor processing in the lateral entorhinal
Frauke C Leitner1,2,3, Sarah Melzer1, Henry Lütcke4
1Department of Clinical Neurobiology at the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
Nature Neuroscience
|May 17, 2016
Summary
The lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) has distinct neuron types that process smell information. Reelin-positive neurons send signals to the hippocampus, while calbindin-positive neurons connect to the olfactory bulb and cortex.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Olfactory Processing
- Brain Connectivity
Background:
- The lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) is crucial for processing olfactory information, relaying it from the olfactory bulb to the hippocampus.
- Understanding the specific neuronal populations within the LEC and their connectivity is key to deciphering olfactory information processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map the connectivity of the LEC to upstream and downstream brain regions.
- To identify distinct neuronal subpopulations within layer II (LII) of the LEC and characterize their functional roles in odor processing.
Main Methods:
- Anatomical tracing of neuronal projections.
- Electrophysiological recordings to distinguish neuronal properties.
- In vivo calcium imaging to assess neuronal activity during odor stimulation.
Main Results:
- Two major excitatory cell types were identified in LII: reelin-positive (RE(+)) and calbindin-positive (CB(+)) neurons, which are electrophysiologically distinct.
- RE(+) neurons project to the hippocampus, while CB(+) neurons project to the olfactory cortex and olfactory bulb.
- RE(+) neurons exhibited higher odor selectivity and better population-level odor discrimination compared to CB(+) and GABAergic neurons.
Conclusions:
- Layer II of the LEC contains anatomically and functionally distinct neuronal subpopulations.
- These subpopulations, RE(+) and CB(+) neurons, differentially contribute to feedforward and feedback signaling pathways in odor processing.
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