Complex Events Initiated by Individual Spikes in the Human Cerebral Cortex
Author Information
Author(s): Molnár Gábor, Oláh Szabolcs, Komlósi Gergely, Füle Miklós, Szabadics János, Varga Csaba, Barzó Pál, Tamás Gábor
Primary Institution: Research Group for Cortical Microcircuits of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Szeged
Hypothesis
Single spikes of pyramidal cells in the human cerebral cortex can activate complex sequences of postsynaptic potentials.
Conclusion
Single action potentials of human neurons can recruit Hebbian-like neuronal assemblies that are involved in cognitive processes.
Supporting Evidence
- Single action potentials in pyramidal cells triggered monosynaptic and polysynaptic postsynaptic potentials.
- Polysynaptic events were detected in 105 out of 383 slices from 54 out of 58 patients.
- Single spikes initiated a series of synaptic potentials lasting significantly longer than previously detected.
Takeaway
This study shows that one tiny signal from a brain cell can make a whole group of other brain cells work together, like a team.
Methodology
Simultaneous dual, triple, and quadruple whole-cell patch clamp recordings were performed on brain slices from patients.
Potential Biases
There may be a bias towards interneurons during the experiments.
Limitations
The study is limited to nonpathological samples and may not represent all human cortical microcircuits.
Participant Demographics
Patients aged 18 to 73 years, nonepileptic, undergoing surgical treatment.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.001
Statistical Significance
p < 0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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