Alexander Reyes: Synaptic and network mechanisms underlying neuronal firing dynamics

New York University, Center for Neural Science

Abstract
The firing properties of neurons in the intact brain depend strongly on several important network parameters including the number neurons, the strength and number of synaptic connections, and the connection probability between cells. The relationships between these variables determine the balance between excitation and inhibition (E-I balance), spiking correlations, and propagation of signals from one brain region to another. To examine the synaptic and network mechanisms underlying salient firing dynamics under well-controlled conditions, we use a culture preparation in combination with optogenetic stimulation techniques. By delivering high spatiotemporal resolution stimuli to neurons within the cultured network, we test the major predictions of several seminal theories in neuroscience: the 1/sqrt(K) (K = number of connections) scaling rule for maintaining E-I balance and spiking variability; active decorrelation through E-I tracking; rate-correlation relationship; and propagation of activity through multilayer networks. The results, which confirm most of the predictions, were obtained with the same culture preparation and with no tweaking of parameters, indicating that they are general, emergent properties of networks.

Organized by

Farzaad Farkooi/Margret Franke

Location

BCCN Berlin, lecture hall, Philippstr. 13 Haus 6, 10115 Berlin