title: Input clustering and the microscale structure of local circuits.
abstract: The recent development of powerful tools for high-throughput mapping of synaptic networks promises major advances in understanding brain function. One open question is how circuits integrate and store information. Competing models based on random vs. structured connectivity make distinct predictions regarding the dendritic addressing of synaptic inputs. In this article we review recent experimental tests of one of these models, the input clustering hypothesis. Across circuits, brain regions and species, there is growing evidence of a link between synaptic co-activation and dendritic location, although this finding is not universal. The functional implications of input clustering and future challenges are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California-Davis Davis, CA, USA.
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: DeBello
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California-Davis Davis, CA, USA ; PLOS Medicine San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: McBride
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California-Davis Davis, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Grant S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California-Davis Davis, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Katy E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Pannoni
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California-Davis Davis, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sanculi
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California-Davis Davis, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Douglas J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Totten
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: clustered plasticity; connectome; dendritic integration; synapse clustering; synaptic clustering