Distinct synaptic plasticity rules operate across dendritic compartments in vivo during learning

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Synaptic Plasticity
• Motor Learning

Background:

• Synaptic plasticity is crucial for learning and behavior modification.
• The specific rules governing synaptic plasticity in vivo during learning are not fully understood.
• Uniformity of plasticity rules within single neurons remains an open question.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the rules of synaptic plasticity in vivo during motor learning.
• To determine if plasticity rules are uniform across different compartments of individual neurons.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal in vivo imaging with single-synapse resolution.
• Studied mouse motor cortex during motor learning.
• Manipulated postsynaptic spiking to assess its role in plasticity.

Main Results:

• Apical and basal dendrites of layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons exhibit distinct plasticity rules.
• Apical synapse strengthening depends on local coactivity; basal synapse strengthening depends on postsynaptic action potentials.
• Blocking postsynaptic spiking impaired basal but not apical plasticity.

Conclusions:

• Individual neurons utilize multiple, compartment-specific activity-dependent plasticity rules.
• This demonstrates a sophisticated mechanism for in vivo learning.
• Findings reveal heterogeneity in synaptic plasticity within single neurons.