Neurons typically generate action potentials at their axon initial segment based on the integration of synaptic inputs. In many neurons, the axon extends from the soma, equally weighting dendritic inputs. A notable exception is found in a subset of hippocampal pyramidal cells where the axon emerges from a basal dendrite. This structure allows these axon-carrying dendrites (AcDs) a privileged input route. We found that in male mice, such cells in the CA1 region receive stronger excitatory input from the contralateral CA3, compared with those with somatic axon origins. This is supported by a higher count of putative synapses from contralateral CA3 on the AcD. These findings, combined with prior observations of their distinct role in sharp-wave ripple firing, suggest a key role of this neuron subset in coordinating bi-hemispheric hippocampal activity during memory-centric oscillations.
Keywords: CA1; CA3; axon initial segment; hippocampus; neuronal morphology; synaptic connectivity.
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