Population coding of individual synaptic inputs

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25290003
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neurophysiology / General neuroscience
• Research Institution: University of Yamanashi (2014-2015); The University of Tokyo (2013)
• Principal Investigator: KITAMURA Kazuo 山梨大学, 総合研究部, 教授 (60423159)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 神経情報処理 / シナプス結合 / 体性感覚 / 2光子イメージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To elucidate the population coding by individual synaptic inputs, we have developed a method for visualizing the activity of single synapse in vivo by using two-photon imaging. We have shown that both spontaneous and sensory-evoked synaptic inputs are synchronized at neighboring synapses, and that spatiotemporal pattern of sensory-evoked synaptic inputs are similar to that of spontaneous inputs. Furthermore, we showed that these pattern of synaptic inputs are shaped by sensory experience during critical period. We also showed that the probability of coincident inputs in awake condition is much higher than that under anesthesia, indicating that the spatiotemporal pattern of synaptic inputs contributes to nonlinear dendritic integration under physiological conditions.

Free Research Field

神経生理学