Synaptic Mechanisms Underlying Sensory Processing in Visual Cortex

Abstract

An individual pyramidal cell receives thousands of inputs along its somato-dendritic axis. Thus, within a single pyramidal cell, great computational capacity can emerge not only from the sheer number of synapses, but also from the diverse nature of transmission at each site. Pre- and post-synaptic specializations enable spike activity to be conferred to the postsynaptic cell with specific sign, strength, and kinetics. How these properties of synaptic transmission ultimately shape cellular activity and circuit function is a fundamental question in the field of neuroscience. In my thesis work, I have used a variety of in vitro and in vivo electrophysiological approaches to study the activity of neurons in mouse visual cortex and the connections between them. I have identified synaptic mechanisms that determine temporal and spatial integration of visual stimuli, as well as a synaptic mechanism for specialization of higher-visual areas. Together, these results demonstrate that properties of synaptic transmission play a role in performing fundamental computations across many areas of visual cortex.