A theoretical framework for the dynamics of multiple intrinsic oscillators in single neurons

Michiel W.H. Remme, Máté Lengyel, Boris S. Gutkin

Research output: Contribution to Book/Report typesChapterpeer-review

Abstract (may include machine translation)

The dendritic tree contributes significantly to the elementary computations a neuron performs while converting its synaptic inputs into action potential output. Traditionally, these computations have been characterized as both temporally and spatially localized. Under this account, neurons compute near-instantaneous mappings from their current input to their current output, brought about by somatic summation of dendritic contributions that are generated in functionally segregated compartments. However, recent evidence about the presence of oscillations in dendrites suggests a qualitatively different mode of operation: the instantaneous phase of such oscillations can depend on a long history of inputs, and, under appropriate conditions, even dendritic oscillators that are remote may interact through synchronization. Here, we develop a mathematical framework to analyze the interactions of local dendritic oscillations, and the way these interactions influence single cell computations. Combining weakly coupled oscillator methods with cable theoretic arguments, we derive phase-locking states for multiple oscillating dendritic compartments. We characterize how the phase-locking properties depend on key parameters of the oscillating dendrite: the electrotonic properties of the (active) dendritic segment, and the intrinsic properties of the dendritic oscillators. As a direct consequence, we show how input to the dendrites can modulate phase-locking behavior and hence global dendritic coherence. In turn, dendritic coherence is able to gate the integration and propagation of synaptic signals to the soma, ultimately leading to an effective control of somatic spike generation. Our results suggest that dendritic oscillations enable the dendritic tree to operate on more global temporal and spatial scales than previously thought; notably that local dendritic activity may be a mechanism for generating on-going whole-cell voltage oscillations.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPhase Response Curves in Neuroscience
Subtitle of host publicationTheory, Experiment, and Analysis
PublisherSpringer New York
Pages53-72
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)9781461407393
ISBN (Print)9781461407386
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2012
Externally publishedYes

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