Ph.D., Duke University, 1979
Professor
Department of Neuroscience
409 Medical Research Laboratory
Tel. (401) 863-2982
E-mail: [email protected]
Ph.D., Duke University, 1979
Professor
Department of Neuroscience
409 Medical Research Laboratory
Tel. (401) 863-2982
E-mail: [email protected]
The neocortex is a brain structure unique to mammals. It generates
neural events essential for perception, motor control and cognition. To help
understand the mechanisms of the neocortex, my students and I study the basic
physiology of its neurons, synapses and transmitters, and the patterns of its
connections. We have found that classes of neurons in the cortex are defined
not only by their morphology and biochemistry, but also by their distinctive
membrane properties. We are currently interested in the way the electrical
properties of dendrites influence information processing within single neurons,
and how the plasticity of different synapses contribute to cortical funcitons..
Our methods include intracellular and extracellular recording and patch
clamping, neuroanatomical techniques, isolated slice preparations, and computer
modelling.
Castro-Alamancos, M.A., Donoghue, J.P. and Connors, B.W. (1995)
Different forms of synaptic plasticity in somatosensory and motor areas of the
neocortex. J. Neurosci. 15: 5324-5333.
Cauller, L.J. and Connors,
B.W. (1994) Synaptic phusiology of horizontal afferents to layer I of primary
somatosensory cortex in rats. J. Neurosci. 14: 751-762.
Connors,
B.W. and Amitai, Y. (1993) Generation of epileptiform discharge by local
circuits of neocortex. In: Epilephy: Models, Mechanisms and Concepts,
P.A. Schwartzkroin (ed.), Cambridge University Press. pp. 388-423.
Kim, H.G. and Connors, B.W. (1993) Apical dendrites of the neocortex:
correlation between sodium- and calcium-dependent spiking and pyramidal cell
morphology. J. Neurosci. 13: 5301-5311.
Whole-cell recordings were made from either the
soma or apical dendrite of large layer V pyramidal neurons in the neocortex.
While somata can generate large, fast, sodium-dependent spikes, many dendrites
are dominated by slow calcium-dependent events. (H.G. Kim and B.W. Connors)