Emerging rules for the distributions of active dendritic conductances.
A key goal in neuroscience is to explain how the operations of a neuron emerge from sets of active channels with specific dendritic distributions. If general principles can be identified for these distributions, dendritic channels should reflect the computational role of a given cell type within its functional neural circuit. Here, we discuss insights from experimental and computational data on the distribution of voltage-gated channels in dendrites, and attempt to derive rules for how their interactions implement different dendritic functions. We propose that this type of analysis will be important for understanding behavioural processes in terms of single-neuron properties, and that it constitutes a step towards a 'functional proteomics' of nerve cells, which will be essential for defining neuronal phenotypes.
Migliore
Michele
M
Department of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8001, USA.
Shepherd
Gordon M
GM
D000818:Animals; D003712:Dendrites / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology
D007473:Ion Channels