Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 20, 2025

In vivo Imaging of Deep Cortical Layers using a Microprism
Published on: August 27, 2009
Mining the jewels of the cortex's crowning mystery
Leena A Ibrahim1, Ben Schuman2, Rachel Bandler3
1Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Abstract:
Neocortical Layer 1 consists of a dense mesh of excitatory and inhibitory axons, dendrites of pyramidal neurons, as well as neuromodulatory inputs from diverse brain regions. Layer 1 also consists of a sparse population of inhibitory interneurons, which are appropriately positioned to receive and integrate the information from these regions of the brain and modulate cortical processing. Despite being among the sparsest neuronal population in the cortex, Layer 1 interneurons perform powerful computations and have elaborate morphologies. Here we review recent studies characterizing their origin, morphology, physiology, and molecular profiles, as well as their connectivity and in vivo response properties.
Related Concept Videos
Minerals
Major...
The Pineal Gland
The primary secretion of the pineal gland is the hormone melatonin, derived from serotonin. The concentration of melatonin in the...
Water and Mineral Acquisition
Quarrying of Stone
One common method involves using a diamond belt saw to cut large blocks from the quarry face. These blocks can be about 50 feet long and 12 feet high. After the initial vertical cut, drilling is performed at the base of the...
Prismatic Beams: Problem Solving
The design begins with analyzing the beam as a free body to identify moments and force balances, thereby determining support reactions. Next, the...
Robbers Cave

