Research article summary (published 9 Sep 2009):

Parallel computational subunits in dentate granule cells generate multiple place fields.

Full Abstract

A fundamental question in understanding neuronal computations is how dendritic events influence the output of the neuron. Different forms of integration of neighbouring and distributed synaptic inputs, isolated dendritic spikes and local regulation of synaptic efficacy suggest that individual dendritic branches may function as independent computational subunits. In the present paper, we study how these local computations influence the output of the neuron. Using a simple cascade model, we demonstrate that triggering somatic firing by a relatively small dendritic branch requires the amplification of local events by dendritic spiking and synaptic plasticity. The moderately branching dendritic tree of granule cells seems optimal for this computation since larger dendritic trees favor local plasticity by isolating dendritic compartments, while reliable detection of individual dendritic spikes in the soma requires a low branch number. Finally, we demonstrate that these parallel dendritic computations could contribute to the generation of multiple independent place fields of hippocampal granule cells.

Author information

Author/s: Ujfalussy, Balázs (B); Kiss, Tamás (T); Erdi, Péter (P);

Affiliation: Department of Biophysics, KFKI Research Institute for Particle and Nuclear Physics of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary. ubi(-atsign-)rmki.kfki.hu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: PLoS computational biology (PLoS Comput Biol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 5 (issue 9) : pp e1000500

Dates: Created 2009/09/14; Completed 2009/11/12;

PMID: 19750211, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 11/12/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Algorithms Computational Biology - methods Computer Simulation Dendrites - physiology Dentate Gyrus - cytology

Dentate Gyrus - cytology Models, Neurological Neuronal Plasticity Neurons - physiology Synapses - physiology

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

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