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Differential polarization of cortical pyramidal neuron dendrites through weak extracellular fields
Florian Aspart1, Michiel W H Remme2, Klaus Obermayer1,3
1Department of Software Engineering and Theoretical Computer Science, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Plos Computational Biology
|May 5, 2018
Summary
Weak electric fields from transcranial current stimulation (tCS) resonate in apical dendrites around 10-20 Hz. This frequency-dependent polarization, driven by cell morphology and h-channels, improves tCS stimulation design.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Computational Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Transcranial current stimulation (tCS) uses weak electric fields to modulate neural activity.
- Neuronal membrane polarization is the primary mechanism, but dendritic responses to alternating fields are understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the frequency-dependent subthreshold response of cortical pyramidal cells to weak alternating electric fields.
- Identify the cellular and morphological factors contributing to dendritic polarization during tCS.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a biophysically detailed computational model of cortical pyramidal cells with experimentally constrained parameters.
- Analyzed responses to weak alternating electric fields across various frequencies.
- Employed simplified models (passive neuron, passive cables, simplified ion channels) to isolate contributing factors.
Main Results:
- Observed a distinct frequency resonance (10-20 Hz) in apical dendrite polarization sensitivity.
- Found no significant resonance in basal dendrites or soma.
- Attributed apical resonance to the interplay of dendritic morphology and high-density h-type channels.
Conclusions:
- Apical dendrites exhibit frequency-specific sensitivity to weak electric fields, unlike basal dendrites and soma.
- Dendritic morphology and h-type channels are key drivers of this resonance.
- Findings enhance understanding of neural responses to tCS and inform optimized stimulation protocols.
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