WWW.JNEUROSCI.ORG
-
The Journal of Neuroscience Fine Science Tools - Extraordinary Craftsmanship
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     
-


HOME
  |  
SEARCH  |   ARCHIVE  |   SUBSCRIBE  |   CONTACT  |   HELP

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit an eLetter
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (100)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Lübke, J.
Right arrow Articles by Feldmeyer, D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Lübke, J.
Right arrow Articles by Feldmeyer, D.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Substance via MeSH

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

The Journal of Neuroscience, July 15, 2000, 20(14):5300-5311

Columnar Organization of Dendrites and Axons of Single and Synaptically Coupled Excitatory Spiny Neurons in Layer 4 of the Rat Barrel Cortex

Joachim Lübke1, Veronica Egger2, Bert Sakmann2, and Dirk Feldmeyer2

1 Anatomisches Institut I, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany, and 2 Max-Planck-Institut für Medizinische Forschung, Abteilung Zellphysiologie, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany

Cortical columns are the functional units of the neocortex that are particularly prominent in the "barrel" field of the somatosensory cortex. Here we describe the morphology of two classes of synaptically coupled excitatory neurons in layer 4 of the barrel cortex, spiny stellate, and star pyramidal cells, respectively. Within a single barrel, their somata tend to be organized in clusters. The dendritic arbors are largely confined to layer 4, except for the distal part of the apical dendrite of star pyramidal neurons that extends into layer 2/3. In contrast, the axon of both types of neurons spans the cortex from layer 1 to layer 6. The most prominent axonal projections are those to layers 4 and 2/3 where they are largely restricted to a single cortical column. In layers 5 and 6, a small fraction of axon collaterals projects also across cortical columns. Consistent with the dense axonal projection to layers 4 and 2/3, the total number and density of boutons per unit axonal length was also highest there. Electron microscopy combined with GABA postimmunogold labeling revealed that most (>90%) of the synaptic contacts were established on dendritic spines and shafts of excitatory neurons in layers 4 and 2/3.

The largely columnar organization of dendrites and axons of both cell types, combined with the preferential and dense projections within cortical layers 4 and 2/3, suggests that spiny stellate and star pyramidal neurons of layer 4 serve to amplify thalamic input and relay excitation vertically within a single cortical column.

Key words: barrel cortex; layer 4; spiny stellate cell; star pyramidal neuron; cortical column; axonal projection; paired recordings; intracellular labeling


Copyright © 2000 Society for Neuroscience  0270-6474/00/20145300-12$05.00/0


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
J. E. Heiss, Y. Katz, E. Ganmor, and I. Lampl
Shift in the Balance between Excitation and Inhibition during Sensory Adaptation of S1 Neurons
J. Neurosci., December 3, 2008; 28(49): 13320 - 13330.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
B. C. Voigt, M. Brecht, and A. R. Houweling
Behavioral Detectability of Single-Cell Stimulation in the Ventral Posterior Medial Nucleus of the Thalamus
J. Neurosci., November 19, 2008; 28(47): 12362 - 12367.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
D. L. Barbour and E. M. Callaway
Excitatory Local Connections of Superficial Neurons in Rat Auditory Cortex
J. Neurosci., October 29, 2008; 28(44): 11174 - 11185.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cereb CortexHome page
M. Helmstaedter, B. Sakmann, and D. Feldmeyer
Neuronal Correlates of Local, Lateral, and Translaminar Inhibition with Reference to Cortical Columns
Cereb Cortex, October 1, 2008; (2008) bhn141v1.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cereb CortexHome page
M. Helmstaedter, B. Sakmann, and D. Feldmeyer
The Relation between Dendritic Geometry, Electrical Excitability, and Axonal Projections of L2/3 Interneurons in Rat Barrel Cortex
Cereb Cortex, September 11, 2008; (2008) bhn138v1.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
M. Helmstaedter, J. F. Staiger, B. Sakmann, and D. Feldmeyer
Efficient Recruitment of Layer 2/3 Interneurons by Layer 4 Input in Single Columns of Rat Somatosensory Cortex
J. Neurosci., August 13, 2008; 28(33): 8273 - 8284.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cereb CortexHome page
D. J. Wallace and B. Sakmann
Plasticity of Representational Maps in Somatosensory Cortex Observed by In Vivo Voltage-Sensitive Dye Imaging
Cereb Cortex, June 1, 2008; 18(6): 1361 - 1373.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cereb CortexHome page
K. D. Alloway
Information Processing Streams in Rodent Barrel Cortex: The Differential Functions of Barrel and Septal Circuits
Cereb Cortex, May 1, 2008; 18(5): 979 - 989.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cereb CortexHome page
V. Egger, T. Nevian, and R. M. Bruno
Subcolumnar Dendritic and Axonal Organization of Spiny Stellate and Star Pyramid Neurons within a Barrel in Rat Somatosensory Cortex
Cereb Cortex, April 1, 2008; 18(4): 876 - 889.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
H. Sato, Y. Shimanuki, M. Saito, H. Toyoda, T. Nokubi, Y. Maeda, T. Yamamoto, and Y. Kang
Differential Columnar Processing in Local Circuits of Barrel and Insular Cortices
J. Neurosci., March 19, 2008; 28(12): 3076 - 3089.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
G. Busetto, M. J. Higley, and B. L. Sabatini
Developmental presence and disappearance of postsynaptically silent synapses on dendritic spines of rat layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons
J. Physiol., March 15, 2008; 586(6): 1519 - 1527.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cereb CortexHome page
A. Frick, D. Feldmeyer, M. Helmstaedter, and B. Sakmann
Monosynaptic Connections between Pairs of L5A Pyramidal Neurons in Columns of Juvenile Rat Somatosensory Cortex
Cereb Cortex, February 1, 2008; 18(2): 397 - 406.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
P. Krieger, T. Kuner, and B. Sakmann
Synaptic Connections between Layer 5B Pyramidal Neurons in Mouse Somatosensory Cortex Are Independent of Apical Dendrite Bundling
J. Neurosci., October 24, 2007; 27(43): 11473 - 11482.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cereb CortexHome page
A. P. Bannister and A. M. Thomson
Dynamic Properties of Excitatory Synaptic Connections Involving Layer 4 Pyramidal Cells in Adult Rat and Cat Neocortex
Cereb Cortex, September 1, 2007; 17(9): 2190 - 2203.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
C. Quairiaux, M. Armstrong-James, and E. Welker
Modified Sensory Processing in the Barrel Cortex of the Adult Mouse After Chronic Whisker Stimulation
J Neurophysiol, March 1, 2007; 97(3): 2130 - 2147.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
G. T. Einevoll, K. H. Pettersen, A. Devor, I. Ulbert, E. Halgren, and A. M. Dale
Laminar Population Analysis: Estimating Firing Rates and Evoked Synaptic Activity From Multielectrode Recordings in Rat Barrel Cortex
J Neurophysiol, March 1, 2007; 97(3): 2174 - 2190.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cereb CortexHome page
V. Khatri and D. J. Simons
Angularly Nonspecific Response Suppression in Rat Barrel Cortex
Cereb Cortex, March 1, 2007; 17(3): 599 - 609.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
NeuroscientistHome page
M. Inan and M. C. Crair
Development of Cortical Maps: Perspectives From the Barrel Cortex
Neuroscientist, February 1, 2007; 13(1): 49 - 61.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
T. Inoue and K. Imoto
Feedforward Inhibitory Connections From Multiple Thalamic Cells to Multiple Regular-Spiking Cells in Layer 4 of the Somatosensory Cortex
J Neurophysiol, October 1, 2006; 96(4): 1746 - 1754.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
D. Feldmeyer, J. Lubke, and B. Sakmann
Efficacy and connectivity of intracolumnar pairs of layer 2/3 pyramidal cells in the barrel cortex of juvenile rats
J. Physiol., September 1, 2006; 575(2): 583 - 602.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ScienceHome page
R. M. Bruno and B. Sakmann
Cortex is driven by weak but synchronously active thalamocortical synapses.
Science, June 16, 2006; 312(5780): 1622 - 1627.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cereb CortexHome page
D. Schubert, R. Kotter, H.J. Luhmann, and J.F. Staiger
Morphology, Electrophysiology and Functional Input Connectivity of Pyramidal Neurons Characterizes a Genuine Layer Va in the Primary Somatosensory Cortex
Cereb Cortex, February 1, 2006; 16(2): 223 - 236.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cereb CortexHome page
D. F. McLaughlin and S. L. Juliano
Disruption of Layer 4 Development Alters Laminar Processing in Ferret Somatosensory Cortex
Cereb Cortex, November 1, 2005; 15(11): 1791 - 1803.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
S. De Gois, M. K.-H. Schafer, N. Defamie, C. Chen, A. Ricci, E. Weihe, H. Varoqui, and J. D. Erickson
Homeostatic Scaling of Vesicular Glutamate and GABA Transporter Expression in Rat Neocortical Circuits
J. Neurosci., August 3, 2005; 25(31): 7121 - 7133.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
E. E. Kwegyir-Afful, R. M. Bruno, D. J. Simons, and A. Keller
The Role of Thalamic Inputs in Surround Receptive Fields of Barrel Neurons
J. Neurosci., June 22, 2005; 25(25): 5926 - 5934.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
R. D. Traub, D. Contreras, M. O. Cunningham, H. Murray, F. E. N. LeBeau, A. Roopun, A. Bibbig, W. B. Wilent, M. J. Higley, and M. A. Whittington
Single-Column Thalamocortical Network Model Exhibiting Gamma Oscillations, Sleep Spindles, and Epileptogenic Bursts
J Neurophysiol, April 1, 2005; 93(4): 2194 - 2232.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
D. Feldmeyer, A. Roth, and B. Sakmann
Monosynaptic Connections between Pairs of Spiny Stellate Cells in Layer 4 and Pyramidal Cells in Layer 5A Indicate That Lemniscal and Paralemniscal Afferent Pathways Converge in the Infragranular Somatosensory Cortex
J. Neurosci., March 30, 2005; 25(13): 3423 - 3431.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
V. Ego-Stengel, T. Mello E Souza, V. Jacob, and D. E. Shulz
Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Neuronal Sensory Integration in the Barrel Cortex of the Rat
J Neurophysiol, March 1, 2005; 93(3): 1450 - 1467.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
J. Waters and F. Helmchen
Boosting of Action Potential Backpropagation by Neocortical Network Activity In Vivo
J. Neurosci., December 8, 2004; 24(49): 11127 - 11136.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
Y. Wang, M. Toledo-Rodriguez, A. Gupta, C. Wu, G. Silberberg, J. Luo, and H. Markram
Anatomical, physiological and molecular properties of Martinotti cells in the somatosensory cortex of the juvenile rat
J. Physiol., November 15, 2004; 561(1): 65 - 90.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
A. I. Cowan and C. Stricker
Functional Connectivity in Layer IV Local Excitatory Circuits of Rat Somatosensory Cortex
J Neurophysiol, October 1, 2004; 92(4): 2137 - 2150.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
M. Zhang and K. D. Alloway
Stimulus-Induced Intercolumnar Synchronization of Neuronal Activity in Rat Barrel Cortex: A Laminar Analysis
J Neurophysiol, September 1, 2004; 92(3): 1464 - 1478.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
H. N. Liu, T. Kurotani, M. Ren, K. Yamada, Y. Yoshimura, and Y. Komatsu
Presynaptic Activity and Ca2+ Entry Are Required for the Maintenance of NMDA Receptor-Independent LTP at Visual Cortical Excitatory Synapses
J Neurophysiol, August 1, 2004; 92(2): 1077 - 1087.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
C. P. Pluto, R. D. Lane, and R. W. Rhoades
Local GABA Receptor Blockade Reveals Hindlimb Responses in the SI Forelimb-Stump Representation of Neonatally Amputated Rats
J Neurophysiol, July 1, 2004; 92(1): 372 - 379.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cereb CortexHome page
J. F. Staiger, I. Flagmeyer, D. Schubert, K. Zilles, R. Kotter, and H. J. Luhmann
Functional Diversity of Layer IV Spiny Neurons in Rat Somatosensory Cortex: Quantitative Morphology of Electrophysiologically Characterized and Biocytin Labeled Cells
Cereb Cortex, June 1, 2004; 14(6): 690 - 701.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
C. Wirth and H.-R. Luscher
Spatiotemporal Evolution of Excitation and Inhibition in the Rat Barrel Cortex Investigated With Multielectrode Arrays
J Neurophysiol, April 1, 2004; 91(4): 1635 - 1647.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Neural Comput.Home page
J. Lucke and C. von der Malsburg
Rapid Processing and Unsupervised Learning in a Model of the Cortical Macrocolumn
Neural Comput., March 1, 2004; 16(3): 501 - 533.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
T. Nevian and B. Sakmann
Single Spine Ca2+ Signals Evoked by Coincident EPSPs and Backpropagating Action Potentials in Spiny Stellate Cells of Layer 4 in the Juvenile Rat Somatosensory Barrel Cortex
J. Neurosci., February 18, 2004; 24(7): 1689 - 1699.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
K. M. M. Kaiser, J. Lubke, Y. Zilberter, and B. Sakmann
Postsynaptic Calcium Influx at Single Synaptic Contacts between Pyramidal Neurons and Bitufted Interneurons in Layer 2/3 of Rat Neocortex Is Enhanced by Backpropagating Action Potentials
J. Neurosci., February 11, 2004; 24(6): 1319 - 1329.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
NeuroscientistHome page
M. F. Casanova, D. Buxhoeveden, and J. Gomez
Disruption in the Inhibitory Architecture of the Cell Minicolumn: Implications for Autisim
Neuroscientist, December 1, 2003; 9(6): 496 - 507.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
R. M. Bruno, V. Khatri, P. W. Land, and D. J. Simons
Thalamocortical Angular Tuning Domains within Individual Barrels of Rat Somatosensory Cortex
J. Neurosci., October 22, 2003; 23(29): 9565 - 9574.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cereb CortexHome page
J. Lubke, A. Roth, D. Feldmeyer, and B. Sakmann
Morphometric Analysis of the Columnar Innervation Domain of Neurons Connecting Layer 4 and Layer 2/3 of Juvenile Rat Barrel Cortex
Cereb Cortex, October 1, 2003; 13(10): 1051 - 1063.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
K. J. Bender, J. Rangel, and D. E. Feldman
Development of Columnar Topography in the Excitatory Layer 4 to Layer 2/3 Projection in Rat Barrel Cortex
J. Neurosci., September 24, 2003; 23(25): 8759 - 8770.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
J. Waters, M. Larkum, B. Sakmann, and F. Helmchen
Supralinear Ca2+ Influx into Dendritic Tufts of Layer 2/3 Neocortical Pyramidal Neurons In Vitro and In Vivo
J. Neurosci., September 17, 2003; 23(24): 8558 - 8567.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
K. Fox, N. Wright, H. Wallace, and S. Glazewski
The Origin of Cortical Surround Receptive Fields Studied in the Barrel Cortex
J. Neurosci., September 10, 2003; 23(23): 8380 - 8391.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
D. Schubert, R. Kotter, K. Zilles, H. J. Luhmann, and J. F. Staiger
Cell Type-Specific Circuits of Cortical Layer IV Spiny Neurons
J. Neurosci., April 1, 2003; 23(7): 2961 - 2970.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
C. C. H. Petersen, A. Grinvald, and B. Sakmann
Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Sensory Responses in Layer 2/3 of Rat Barrel Cortex Measured In Vivo by Voltage-Sensitive Dye Imaging Combined with Whole-Cell Voltage Recordings and Neuron Reconstructions
J. Neurosci., February 15, 2003; 23(4): 1298 - 1309.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
V. Rema, M. Armstrong-James, and F. F. Ebner
Experience-Dependent Plasticity Is Impaired in Adult Rat Barrel Cortex after Whiskers Are Unused in Early Postnatal Life
J. Neurosci., January 1, 2003; 23(1): 358 - 366.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
G. Radnikow, D. Feldmeyer, and J. Lubke
Axonal Projection, Input and Output Synapses, and Synaptic Physiology of Cajal-Retzius Cells in the Developing Rat Neocortex
J. Neurosci., August 15, 2002; 22(16): 6908 - 6919.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
C. C. H. Petersen
Short-Term Dynamics of Synaptic Transmission Within the Excitatory Neuronal Network of Rat Layer 4 Barrel Cortex
J Neurophysiol, June 1, 2002; 87(6): 2904 - 2914.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
G. M. G. Shepherd, M. Raastad, and P. Andersen
General and variable features of varicosity spacing along unmyelinated axons in the hippocampus and cerebellum
PNAS, April 30, 2002; 99(9): 6340 - 6345.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
N. Laaris and A. Keller
Functional Independence of Layer IV Barrels
J Neurophysiol, February 1, 2002; 87(2): 1028 - 1034.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
A. Laurent, J.-M. Goaillard, O. Cases, C. Lebrand, P. Gaspar, and N. Ropert
Activity-Dependent Presynaptic Effect of Serotonin 1B Receptors on the Somatosensory Thalamocortical Transmission in Neonatal Mice
J. Neurosci., February 1, 2002; 22(3): 886 - 900.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
C. C. H. Petersen and B. Sakmann
Functionally Independent Columns of Rat Somatosensory Barrel Cortex Revealed with Voltage-Sensitive Dye Imaging
J. Neurosci., November 1, 2001; 21(21): 8435 - 8446.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cereb CortexHome page
X. Jin, P. H. Mathers, G. Szabo, Z. Katarova, and A. Agmon
Vertical Bias in Dendritic Trees of Non-pyramidal Neocortical Neurons Expressing GAD67-GFP In Vitro
Cereb Cortex, July 1, 2001; 11(7): 666 - 678.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
D. Schubert, J. F. Staiger, N. Cho, R. Kotter, K. Zilles, and H. J. Luhmann
Layer-Specific Intracolumnar and Transcolumnar Functional Connectivity of Layer V Pyramidal Cells in Rat Barrel Cortex
J. Neurosci., May 15, 2001; 21(10): 3580 - 3592.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
J. T. Porter, C. K. Johnson, and A. Agmon
Diverse Types of Interneurons Generate Thalamus-Evoked Feedforward Inhibition in the Mouse Barrel Cortex
J. Neurosci., April 15, 2001; 21(8): 2699 - 2710.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
A. Peinado
Immature Neocortical Neurons Exist as Extensive Syncitial Networks Linked by Dendrodendritic Electrical Connections
J Neurophysiol, February 1, 2001; 85(2): 620 - 629.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page