PD Dr. Matthew Larkum
Research interests
Research Interests
We are interested in the computational advantage that dendrites with active properties give to neurons. Our group focuses on pyramidal neurons of the neocortex. We have demonstrated that these neurons can have properties which allow them to associate feed-forward and feedback inputs. These properties derive from the interaction of dendritic compartments via actively backpropagating action potentials and multiple initiation zones. We have a strong interaction with the Computational Neuroscience group in the Institute for Physiology. This collaborative effort is aimed at describing the mechanisms of feed-forward/feedback interactions in the cortical network.
Research Techniques
To study these phenomena we use a variety of techniques. Recordings are made with whole-patch electrodes directly from the dendrites both in vitro and in vivo. These experiments involve multiple patch recordings from the same cell and from many cells simultaneously. We also measure intracellular calcium concentration in different dendritic compartments with CCD cameras.
Positions available
We are always looking for keen people interested in doing a PhD or post-doc. Enquire to larkum@pyl.unibe.ch.
Publications
sorted by year and first author
| A. Granato, L.M. Palmer, A. De Giorgio, D. Tavian, M.E. Larkum. Early Exposure to Alcohol Leads to Permanent Impairment of Dendritic Excitability in Neocortical Pyramidal Neurons. J. Neurosci. 32(4):1377–1382, 2012 DOI |
| T.J. Hamilton, B.M. Wheatly, D.B. Sinclair, M. Bachmann, M.E. Larkum, W.F. Colmers. Dopamine modulates synaptic plasticity in dendrites of rat and human dentate granule cells. PNAS 107:18185-18190, 2010 DOI |
| D. Ledergerber, M.E. Larkum. Properties of L6 pyramidal neuron apical dendrites. J. Neurosci. 30:13031-13044, 2010 DOI |
| B. Bathellier, T.W. Margrie, M.E. Larkum. Properties of piriform cortex pyramidal cell dendrites: Implications for olfactory circuit design. J. Neurosci. 29:12641-12652, 2009 DOI |
| M.E. Larkum, T. Nevian, M. Sandler, A. Polsky, J. Schiller. Synaptic integraion in tuft dendrites of layer 5 pyramidalneurons: a new unifying principle. Science 325:756-760, 2009 DOI |
| M. Murayama, E. Pérez-Garci, T. Nevian, T. Bock, W. Senn, M.E. Larkum. Dendritic encoding of sensory stimuli controlled by deep cortical interneurons. Nature 457:1137-1141, 2009 DOI Supplement |
| M. Murayama, M.E. Larkum. In vivo dendritic calcium imaging with a fiberoptic periscope system. Nature Protocols 4:1551-1559, 2009 DOI |
| M. Murayama, M.E. Larkum. Enhanced dendritic activity in awake rats. PNAS 106:20482-20486, 2009 |
| M.E. Larkum, S. Watanabe, N. Lasser-Ross, P. Rhodes, W.N. Ross. Dendritic properties of turtle pyramidal neurons. J. Neurophysiol. 99:683-694, 2008 DOI |
| M.E. Larkum, T. Nevian. Synaptic clustering by dendritic signalling mechanisms. Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. 18:321-331, 2008 DOI |
| M. London, M.E. Larkum, M. Häusser. Predicting the synaptic information efficacy in cortical layer 5 pyramidal neurons using a minimal Integrate-and-Fire model. Biol. Cybern. 99:393-401, 2008 DOI |
| S. Potez, M.E. Larkum. Effect of common anesthetics on dendritic properties in layer 5 neocortical pyramidal neurons. J. Neurophysiol. 99:1394-1407, 2008 |
| M.E. Larkum, J. Waters, B. Sakmann, F. Helmchen. Dendritic spikes in apical dendrites of neocortical layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons. J. Neurosci. 27(34):8999-9008, 2007 |
| M. Murayama, E. Pérez-Garci, H.-R. Lüscher, M.E. Larkum. Fiberoptic system for recording dentritic calcium signals in layer 5 neocortical pyramidal cells in freely moving rats. J. Neurophysiol. 98:1791-1805, 2007 |
| T. Nevian, M.E. Larkum, A. Polsky, J. Schiller. Properties of basal dendrites of layer 5 pyramidal neurons: a direct patch-clamp recording study. Nat. Neurosci. 10:206-214, 2007 |
| E. Pérez-Garci, M Gassmann, B Bettler, M E Larkum. The GABAB1b isoform mediates long-lasting inhibition of dendritic Ca2+ spikes in layer 5 somatosensory pyramidal neurons. Neuron 50:603-616, 2006 |
| M.E. Larkum, W. Senn, H.-R. Lüscher. Top-down dendritic input increases the gain of layer 5 pyramidal neurons. Cereb. Cortex 14:1059-1070, 2004 |
| W.N. Ross, T. Nakamura, S. Watanabe, M. Larkum, N. Lasser-Ross. Synaptically activated Ca2+ release from internal stores in CNS neurons. 2004 |
| M. Larkum, S. Watanabe, T. Nakamura, N. Lasser-Ross, W.N. Ross. Synaptically activated Ca2+ waves in layer 2/3 and layer 5 rat neocortical pyramidal neurons. J. Physiol. (Lond). 549.2:471-488, 2003 |
| A.T. Schaefer, M.E. Larkum, B. Sakmann, A. Roth. Coincidence detection in pyramidal neurons is tuned by their dendritic branching pattern. J. Neurophysiol. 89: 3143-3154, 2003 |
| J. Waters, M.E. Larkum, B. Sakmann, F. Helmchen. Supralinear Ca2+ influx into dendritic tufts of layer 2/3 neocortical pyramidal neurons in vitro and in vivo. J. Neurosci. 23:8558-8567, 2003 |
| M.E. Larkum, J.J Zhu. Distal and terminal dendrites of rat layer 5 pyramidal neocortical neurons: initiation and propagation of action potentials in apical tuft branches. J. Neurosci. 22:6991-7005, 2002 |
| M. London, A. Shribman, M. Häusser, M.E. Larkum, I. Segev. Synaptic information efficacy: Bridging the cleft between biophysics and function. Nat. Neurosci. 5:332-340, 2002 |
| T. Berger, M.E. Larkum, H.-R. Lüscher. High Ih channel density in the distal apical dendrite of layer V pyramidal cells increases bidirectional attenuation of EPSPs. J. Neurophysiol. 85:855-868, 2001 |
| M.E. Larkum, J.J. Zhu, B. Sakmann. Dendritic mechanisms underlying the coupling of the dendritic with the axonal action potential initiation zone of adult rat layer 5 pyramidal neurons. J. Physiol. (Lond). 533:447-466, 2001 |
| M.E. Larkum, J.J Zhu, B. Sakmann. A new mechanism for coupling inputs arriving at different cortical layers. Nature 398:338-341, 1999 |
| M.E. Larkum, K.M.M. Kaiser, B. Sakmann. Calcium electrogenesis in distal apical dendrites of layer 5 pyramidal cells at a critical frequency of back-propagating action potentials. PNAS 96:14600-14604, 1999 |
| W. Senn, K. Wyler, J. Streit, M. Larkum, H.-R. Lüscher, H. Mey, L. Müller, D. Steinhauser, K. Vogt, T. Wannier. Dynamics of a random neural network with synaptic depression. Neural Networks 9 No. 4:575-588, 1996 |
Abstracts
sorted by year and first author
| J.M. Schulz, L.M. Palmer, D. Ledergerber, M.E. Larkum. Callosal activation of interneurons in the sensorimotor cortex in rats in vitro and in vivo. Poster A143 8th IBRO, Florence, Italy. 2011 |
| S.M. Korogod, I.B. Kulagina, M.E. Larkum. Metrical asymmetry and complexity of active dendrites determine the repertoire of neuronal output patterns: a simulation study on reconstructed neocortical pyramidal cells. 6th Forum of European Neurosciences 2008 Geneva, 147.15. 2008 |
| M.E. Larkum. Observing dendritic activity in vivo. Cellular & Molecular Neurobiology of Mental Diseases - Giessbach, Oral presentation. 2008 |
| M. Murayama, M.E. Larkum. Fiberoptic imaging of dendritic calcium responses to somatosensory inputs. 6th Forum of European Neurosciences 2008 Geneva, 118.5. 2008 |
| T. Nevian, J. Schiller, M.E. Larkum. Patch clamp recordings from fine dendrites of layer 5 pyramidal neurons. 6th Forum of European Neurosciences 2008 Geneva, 147.21. 2008 |
| E. Pérez-Garci, T. Nevian, M.E. Larkum. GABAB receptors inhibit dendritic Ca2+ spikes in L5 pyramidal neurons by inhibiting L-type Ca2+ conductances. 6th Forum of European Neurosciences 2008 Geneva, 114.24. 2008 |
