Spread of dendritic excitation in layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in rat barrel cortex in vivo

Karel Svoboda, Fritjof Helmchen, Winfried Denk, David W. Tank

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

206 Scopus citations

Abstract

In layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons of barrel cortex in vivo, calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]) transients in apical dendrites evoked by sodium action potentials are limited to regions close to the soma. To study the mechanisms underlying this restricted pattern of calcium influx, we combined two-photon imaging of dendritic [Ca2+] dynamics with dendritic membrane potential measurements. We found that sodium action potentials attenuated and broadened rapidly with distance from the soma. However, dendrites of layer 2/3 cells were electrically excitable, and direct current injections could evoke large [Ca2+] transients. The restricted pattern of dendritic [Ca2+] transients is therefore due to a failure of sodium action-potential propagation into dendrites. Also, stimulating subcortical activating systems by tail pinch can enhance dendritic [Ca2+] influx induced by a sensory stimulus by increasing cellular excitability, consistent with the importance of these systems in plasticity and learning.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)65-73
Number of pages9
JournalNature neuroscience
Volume2
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1999
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Neuroscience

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