Abstract
Neocortical neurons tend to be coactive in groups called ensembles. However, sometimes, individual neurons also spike alone, independent of the ensemble. What processes regulate the transition between individual and cooperative action? Inspired by classical work in biochemistry, we apply the concept of neuronal cooperativity to explore this question. With a focus on neocortical inhibitory interneurons, we offer a working definition of neuronal cooperativity, review its recorded incidences and proposed mechanisms, and describe experimental approaches that will demonstrate and further describe this action. We suggest that cooperativity of “neuron teams” is manifested in vivo through their coactivity, as well as via the action of individual “soloist neurons” in the low end of the sigmoidal cooperativity curve. Finally, we explore the evidence for and implications of individual and team action of neurons.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 329-341 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Neuroscientist |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 2018 |
Externally published | Yes |
Funding
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: MMK has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 701986. JJ is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Funders | Funder number |
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Marie Skłodowska-Curie | 701986 |
Howard Hughes Medical Institute | |
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme |
Keywords
- cooperativity
- interneurons
- neocortex
- neuronal ensemble