title: Anatomy and physiology of the thick-tufted layer 5 pyramidal neuron.
abstract: The thick-tufted layer 5 (TTL5) pyramidal neuron is one of the most extensively studied neuron types in the mammalian neocortex and has become a benchmark for understanding information processing in excitatory neurons. By virtue of having the widest local axonal and dendritic arborization, the TTL5 neuron encompasses various local neocortical neurons and thereby defines the dimensions of neocortical microcircuitry. The TTL5 neuron integrates input across all neocortical layers and is the principal output pathway funneling information flow to subcortical structures. Several studies over the past decades have investigated the anatomy, physiology, synaptology, and pathophysiology of the TTL5 neuron. This review summarizes key discoveries and identifies potential avenues of research to facilitate an integrated and unifying understanding on the role of a central neuron in the neocortex.
authors.affiliation: Blue Brain Project, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Campus Biotech Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Srikanth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramaswamy
authors.affiliation: Blue Brain Project, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Campus Biotech Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Markram
keywords: axon; back-propagating action potential; dendrites; neocortex; pyramidal neuron; spike-timing dependent plasticity; synaptic transmission