Investigating the role of tuft dendrites in cortical processing
Speaker: Dr Luca Godenzini
University of Zurich
Switzerland
Title: Investigating the role of tuft dendrites in cortical processing
Abstract: The neocortex is considered the host of important cognitive functions including sensory perception and learning. Cortical processing is supported by the structure of the neocortex and the integrative properties of its core computational element: the pyramidal neuron. Cortical pyramidal neurons have two main sets of dendrites: basal dendrites, which propagate within the perisomatic region, and tuft dendrites, which elongate from the main apical dendrite in the upper layers of the cortex. Basal and tuft dendrites create two physically separated compartments that receive different sets of synaptic inputs. For example, tuft dendrites receive long-range top-down input from other cortical areas within layer 1. These inputs can be actively integrated in virtue of the non-linear properties of dendrites, increasing the computational power of the pyramidal neuron and supporting the complex operations implemented by the neocortex. In this talk, I will discuss evidence for the role of tuft dendrites in different aspect of cortical processing such as multi-sensory perception and learning.
About Neuroscience Seminars
Neuroscience seminars at the QBI play a major role in the advancement of neuroscience in the Asia-Pacific region. The primary goal of these seminars is to promote excellence in neuroscience through the exchange of ideas, establishing new collaborations and augmenting partnerships already in place.
Seminars in the QBI Auditorium on Level 7 are held on Wednesdays at 12-1pm, which are sometimes simulcast on Zoom (with approval from the speaker). We also occassionally hold seminars from international speakers via Zoom. The days and times of these seminars will vary depending on the time zone of the speaker. Please see each seminar listed below for details.
