Helmholtz Gemeinschaft

Search
Browse
Statistics
Feeds

An embedded subnetwork of highly active neurons in the neocortex

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

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Open Access
MDC Library