Sub-type specific connectivity between CA3 pyramidal neurons may underlie their sequential activation during sharp waves

Abstract

The CA3 region of the hippocampus is the major site of sharp wave initiation, a form a network activity involved in learning and memory. Highly recurrent connectivity within its excitatory network is thought to underlie processes involved in memory formation. Recent work has indicated that distinct subpopulations of pyramidal neurons within this region may contribute differently to network activity, including sharp waves, in CA3. Exactly how these contributions may arise is not yet known. Here, we disentangle the local connectivity between two distinct CA3 cell types: thorny and athorny pyramidal cells. We find an asymmetry in the connectivity between these two populations, with athorny cells receiving strong input from both athorny and thorny cells. Conversely, the thorny cell population receives very little input from the athorny population. Computational modelling suggests that this connectivity scheme may determine the sequential activation of these cell types during large network events such as sharp waves.