Synaptic integration in tuft dendrites of layer 5 pyramidal neurons: a new unifying principle. Science (New York, N.Y.) [Science] Journal article

Title	Synaptic integration in tuft dendrites of layer 5 pyramidal neurons: a new unifying principle.
Author(s)	Larkum ME, Nevian T, Sandler M, Polsky A, Schiller J
Institution	Department of Physiology, University of Berne, Bühlplatz 5, 3012 Berne, Switzerland. matthew.larkum@gmail.com
Source	Science 2009 Aug 7; 325(5941):756-60.
MeSH	Action Potentials Animals Axons Calcium Signaling Computer Simulation Dendrites Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials Models, Neurological N-Methylaspartate Neocortex Patch-Clamp Techniques Pyramidal Cells Rats Rats, Wistar Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Sodium Synapses Synaptic Potentials
Abstract	Tuft dendrites are the main target for feedback inputs innervating neocortical layer 5 pyramidal neurons, but their properties remain obscure. We report the existence of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) spikes in the fine distal tuft dendrites that otherwise did not support the initiation of calcium spikes. Both direct measurements and computer simulations showed that NMDA spikes are the dominant mechanism by which distal synaptic input leads to firing of the neuron and provide the substrate for complex parallel processing of top-down input arriving at the tuft. These data lead to a new unifying view of integration in pyramidal neurons in which all fine dendrites, basal and tuft, integrate inputs locally through the recruitment of NMDA receptor channels relative to the fixed apical calcium and axosomatic sodium integration points.
Language	eng
Pub Type(s)	In Vitro Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PubMed ID	19661433

Advertise on this site.