In-vivo input mapping
The summation of synaptic inputs in the dendrites of cortical neurons is shaped by nonlinear interactions over multiple length scales. Using a new 2P microscope that allows rapid imaging of dendrites, we investigate spine and dendritic calcium transients in mice performing a tactile discrimination task. Spines on the same dendritic branch have diverse selectivity during sensation, movement perpetration, and movement execution implying convergence of sensory and motor information.
- Kerlin, A. M., Mohar, B., Maclennan, B., Flickinger, D., Svoboda, K., Ji, N. Poster #244.19 at SFN. Chicago IL, USA. 2015.
Cortical Correlations
Synchronous thalamic activity is assumed to drive cell-cell correlations in the recipient cortical layer of main sensory areas. Using optogenetic silencing of cortical firing we isolated the thalamic inputs of simultaneously whole cell recorded neurons. Although 46% of the total sensory evoked excitatory current originates from thalamic cells, these inputs are not correlated in time or magnitude. This suggests that cortical synchronized activity emerges due to distinct intracortical network properties.
- Mohar, B., Cohen-kashi Malina, K., Lampl, I. Poster #65.06 at SFN. Chicago IL, USA. 2015
Early sensory adaptation and Coding
Adaptation and parallel processing of information are hallmarks of sensory systems. We described the adaptation and coding properties of the two main somatosensory pathways in the rat brainstem. The two pathways synergistically improve the ability of this system to encode a wide range of intensities during natural stimulation, potentially reducing the inherent ambiguity of adaptive coding.
- Mohar, B., Ganmor, E. & Lampl, I. Faithful Representation of Tactile Intensity under Different Contexts Emerges from the Distinct Adaptive Properties of the First Somatosensory Relay Stations. J. Neurosci. 35, 6997–7002 (2015).
- Mohar, B., Katz, Y. & Lampl, I. Opposite Adaptive Processing of Stimulus Intensity in Two Major Nuclei of the Somatosensory Brainstem. J. Neurosci. 33, 15394–15400 (2013).