"Anatomical similarity across the neocortex has led to the common assumption that the circuitry is modular and performs stereotyped computations. Layer 5 pyramidal neurons (L5PNs) in particular are thought to be central to cortical computation because of their extensive arborisation and nonlinear dendritic operations. Here, we demonstrate that computations associated with dendritic Ca2+ plateaus in mouse L5PNs vary substantially between the primary and secondary visual cortices. L5PNs in the secondary visual cortex show reduced dendritic excitability and smaller propensity for burst firing. This reduced excitability is correlated with shorter apical dendrites. Using numerical modelling, we uncover a universal principle underlying the influence of apical length on dendritic backpropagation and excitability, based on a Na+ channel-dependent broadening of backpropagating action potentials. In summary, we provide new insights into the modulation of dendritic excitability by apical dendrite length and show that the operational repertoire of L5PNs is not universal throughout the brain."
Model Type: Neuron or other electrically excitable cell
Region(s) or Organism(s): Neocortex
Cell Type(s): Neocortex L5/6 pyramidal GLU cell
Currents: I L high threshold; I T low threshold; I Na,t; I Na,p; I h; I K; I M; I K,Ca; I A
Model Concept(s): Dendritic Action Potentials; Bursting; Action Potentials; Active Dendrites
Simulation Environment: NEURON (web link to model)
References:
Galloni AR, Laffere A, Rancz E. (2020). Apical length governs computational diversity of layer 5 pyramidal neurons. eLife. 9 [PubMed]