Local glutamate-mediated dendritic plateau potentials change the state of the cortical pyramidal neuron

Abstract

In cortical pyramidal neurons, we recorded glutamate-mediated dendritic plateau potentials with voltage imaging and created a computer model that recreated experimental measures from dendrite and cell body. Our model made new predictions, which were then tested in experiments. Plateau potentials profoundly change neuronal state: a plateau potential triggered in one basal dendrite depolarizes the soma and shortens membrane time constant, making the cell more susceptible to firing triggered by other afferent inputs.