An embedded subnetwork of highly active neurons in the neocortex

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Item Type:	Article
Title:	An embedded subnetwork of highly active neurons in the neocortex
Creators Name:	Yassin, L., Benedetti, B.L., Jouhanneau, J.S., Wen, J.A., Poulet, J.F.A. and Barth, A.L.
Abstract:	Unbiased methods to assess the firing activity of individual neurons in the neocortex have revealed that a large proportion of cells fire at extremely low rates (<0.1 Hz), both in their spontaneous and evoked activity. Thus, firing in neocortical networks appears to be dominated by a small population of highly active neurons. Here, we use a fosGFP transgenic mouse to examine the properties of cells with a recent history of elevated activity. FosGFP-expressing layer 2/3 pyramidal cells fired at higher rates compared to fosGFP(-) neurons, both in vivo and in vitro. Elevated activity could be attributed to increased excitatory and decreased inhibitory drive to fosGFP(+) neurons. Paired-cell recordings indicated that fosGFP(+) neurons had a greater likelihood of being connected to each other. These findings indicate that highly active, interconnected neuronal ensembles are present in the neocortex and suggest these cells may play a role in the encoding of sensory information.
Keywords:	Action Potentials, Neocortex, Nerve Net, Neurons, Animals, Mice
Source:	Neuron
ISSN:	0896-6273
Publisher:	Cell Press
Volume:	68
Number:	6
Page Range:	1043-1050
Date:	22 December 2010
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2010.11.029
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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