Dendritic action potentials and computation in human layer 2/3 cortical neurons

The active electrical properties of dendrites shape neuronal input and output and are fundamental to brain function. However, our knowledge of active dendrites has been almost entirely acquired from studies of rodents. In this work, we investigated the dendrites of layer 2 and 3 (L2/3) pyramidal neurons of the human cerebral cortex ex vivo. In these neurons, we discovered a class of calcium-mediated dendritic action potentials (dCaAPs) whose waveform and effects on neuronal output have not been previously described. In contrast to typical all-or-none action potentials, dCaAPs were graded; their amplitudes were maximal for threshold-level stimuli but dampened for stronger stimuli. These dCaAPs enabled the…

• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Award: EXC NeuroCure, LA 3442/3-1, SPP1665, SFB1078 B2
• NE
  NeuroCure Exzellenzcluster

  Award: DFG, EXC 257
• SF
  Seventh Framework Programme

  Award: Health-F2-602531-2013 (DESIRE)
• HE
  H2020 European Research Council

  Award: ERC STG 311435