Molecular Identity and Functional Role of Voltage-gated Channels in Dendritic Spines of Neocortical Pyramidal Neurons

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Neuronal communication is essential to brain function. To insure proper communication, neurons have regions that are specialised for receiving information, called dendrites, or for sending information, called axons. Communication between axons and dendrites occurs at sites called synapses. Dendrites of cortical neurons are often covered with thousands of tiny protrusions called dendritic spines. Most excitatory synapses are made on dendritic spines, so the role spines play is likely crucial for information processing and storage. In fact, long term changes of synaptic efficacy which are often associated to learning and memory also cause lasting structural changes of the shape of spines. Recent experimental evidence has suggested that spines are functional compartments regulated by dynamic molecules that can influence synaptic communication. In this proposal, I plan to unravel the processing of synaptic inputs at the single spine level, along the dendrites of neocortical pyramidal neurons. I will take a multifaceted approach to address these objectives using optical, electrophysiological, structural, and molecular tools. I expect that these experiments will eventually lead to a better understanding of dendritic spines function.