Axons in cat visual cortex are topologically self-similar

Cerebral Cortex
Tom BinzeggerKevan A C Martin

Abstract

The axonal arbors of the different types of neocortical and thalamic neurons appear highly dissimilar when viewed in conventional 2D reconstructions. Nevertheless, we have found that their one-dimensional metrics and topologies are surprisingly similar. To discover this, we analysed the axonal branching pattern of 39 neurons (23 spiny, 13 smooth and three thalamic axons) that were filled intracellularly with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) during in vivo experiments in cat area 17. The axons were completely reconstructed and translated into dendrograms. Topological, fractal and Horton-Strahler analyses indicated that axons of smooth and spiny neurons had similar complexity, length ratios (a measure of the relative increase in the length of collateral segments as the axon branches) and bifurcation ratios (a measure of the relative increase in the number of collateral segments as the axon branches). We show that a simple random branching model (Galton-Watson process) predicts with reasonable accuracy the bifurcation ratio, length ratio and collateral length distribution of the axonal arbors.

Citations

Jul 23, 2009·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Quan WenDmitri B Chklovskii
Mar 20, 2010·PLoS Computational Biology·Julian M L BuddZoltán F Kisvárday
Sep 3, 2010·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Yuguo YuDavid McCormick
Dec 8, 2015·Cerebral Cortex·Manuel MarxDirk Feldmeyer
Apr 20, 2010·Neuron·Joseph SniderCharles F Stevens
Jul 30, 2014·Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience·Jonathan BinasMichael Pfeiffer
Dec 5, 2014·PLoS Computational Biology·Roman BauerRodney J Douglas
Feb 6, 2007·Trends in Neurosciences·Dietmar Plenz, Tara C Thiagarajan
Jul 4, 2017·PLoS Computational Biology·Alexandra VormbergHermann Cuntz
Aug 19, 2005·Cerebral Cortex·Yasuo KawaguchiYoshiyuki Kubota
Dec 17, 2005·Cerebral Cortex·Almut SchüzMonika Dortenman
May 23, 2012·Neuroinformatics·Krissia ZawadzkiLuciano da F Costa
Jul 11, 2013·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·Kathleen S Rockland
Feb 14, 2020·PLoS Computational Biology·Pegah Kassraian-FardRoman Bauer
Oct 12, 2010·Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy·L F SantiagoC W Picanço-Diniz

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.