Neurobiology and Anatomy > Department Faculty > Michael Beierlein, Ph.D.

See Also: Dr Beierlein's Lab Website

Mechanisms of Synaptic Plasticity in Neocortical Networks

Neurons in local neuronal circuits are interconnected via synapses that can experience dramatic changes in strength during ongoing neuronal activity. How synapses are regulated on a time scale of tens of milliseconds to tens of seconds is not well understood.

Cerebellar mossy fiber boutons labeled with dextran dye (red) and GFP (green).

My laboratory uses electrophysiological and optical recording techniques in brain slices of the mammalian cerebellum, thalamus, and neocortex to explore the mechanisms underlying short-term synaptic plasticity and its importance for local circuit behavior. Ultimately this knowledge will help us to understand the computations performed in neuronal networks that mediate perception, memory formation and higher cognitive functions.

Selected Reading

Gibson, JR, Beierlein, M, Connors, BW. (1999) Two networks of electrically coupled inhibitory neurons in neocortex. Nature 402,75-79.

Beierlein, M, Gibson, JR, Connors, BW. (2000) A network of electrically coupled interneurons drives synchronized inhibition in neocortex. Nat. Neurosci. 3, 904-910.

Beierlein, M, Fall, CP, Rinzel, J, Yuste R. (2002) Thalamocortical bursts trigger recurrent activity in neocortical networks: layer 4 as a frequency-dependent gate. J. Neurosci. 22, 9885-9894.

Beierlein, M, Gibson, JR, Connors, BW. (2003) Two dynamically distinct inhibitory networks in layer 4 of the neocortex. J. Neurophysiol. 90, 2987-3000.

Beierlein, M, Gee, KR, Martin, VV, Regehr, WR. (2004) Presynaptic calcium measurements at physiological temperatures using a new class of dextran-conjugated indicators. J. Neurophysiol. 92, 591-599.

Beierlein, M, Regehr, WG. (2006) Brief bursts of parallel fiber activity trigger calcium waves in Bergmann glia. J. Neurosci. 26, 6958-6967.

Beierlein, M, Regehr, WG. (2006) Local interneurons regulate synaptic strength by retrograde release of endocannabinoids. J. Neurosci. 26, 9935-9943.

Beierlein, M, Fioravante, D, Regehr, WG. (2007) Differential expression of post-tetanic potentiation and retrograde signaling mediate target-dependent short-term synaptic plasticity. Neuron 54(6), 949-959.

Myoga, M, Beierlein, M, Regehr, WG (2009) Somatic spikes regulate dendritic signaling in small neurons in the absence of backpropagating action potentials. J. Neurosci. 29, 7803-7814.

Search PubMed for additional articles. 

Synchronous activity in inhibitory neocortical neurons interconnected by electrical synapses.

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