Local connectivity and synaptic dynamics in mouse and human neocortex

Science. 2022 Mar 11;375(6585):eabj5861. doi: 10.1126/science.abj5861. Epub 2022 Mar 11.

Abstract

We present a unique, extensive, and open synaptic physiology analysis platform and dataset. Through its application, we reveal principles that relate cell type to synaptic properties and intralaminar circuit organization in the mouse and human cortex. The dynamics of excitatory synapses align with the postsynaptic cell subclass, whereas inhibitory synapse dynamics partly align with presynaptic cell subclass but with considerable overlap. Synaptic properties are heterogeneous in most subclass-to-subclass connections. The two main axes of heterogeneity are strength and variability. Cell subclasses divide along the variability axis, whereas the strength axis accounts for substantial heterogeneity within the subclass. In the human cortex, excitatory-to-excitatory synaptic dynamics are distinct from those in the mouse cortex and vary with depth across layers 2 and 3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Datasets as Topic
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Models, Neurological
  • Neocortex / cytology
  • Neocortex / physiology*
  • Neural Pathways*
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Synapses / physiology*
  • Synaptic Transmission*
  • Temporal Lobe / cytology
  • Temporal Lobe / physiology
  • Visual Cortex / cytology
  • Visual Cortex / physiology