Optimal Current Transfer in Dendrites

Integration of synaptic currents across an extensive dendritic tree is a prerequisite for computation in the brain. Dendritic tapering away from the soma has been suggested to both equalise contributions from synapses at different locations and maximise the current transfer to the soma. To find out...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PLoS computational biology 2016-05, Vol.12 (5), p.e1004897-e1004897
Main Authors: Bird, Alex D, Cuntz, Hermann
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algorithms
Animals
Biology and Life Sciences
Brain - physiology
Computational Biology
Computer Simulation
Dendrites - physiology
Dendritic cells
Medicine and Health Sciences
Models, Neurological
Neural circuitry
Neurons - physiology
Observations
Physical Sciences
Physiological aspects
Synaptic transmission
Synaptic Transmission - physiology
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Summary:Integration of synaptic currents across an extensive dendritic tree is a prerequisite for computation in the brain. Dendritic tapering away from the soma has been suggested to both equalise contributions from synapses at different locations and maximise the current transfer to the soma. To find out how this is achieved precisely, an analytical solution for the current transfer in dendrites with arbitrary taper is required. We derive here an asymptotic approximation that accurately matches results from numerical simulations. From this we then determine the diameter profile that maximises the current transfer to the soma. We find a simple quadratic form that matches diameters obtained experimentally, indicating a fundamental architectural principle of the brain that links dendritic diameters to signal transmission.
ISSN:1553-7358
1553-734X
1553-7358
DOI:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004897