Dendritic processing in hippocampal pyramidal cells and its modulation by inhibitory interneurons

Area CA1 of the hippocampus contains a population of pyramidal cells, accompanied by a diverse array of inhibitory interneurons, which are believed to modulate the activity and plasticity of pyramidal neurons. We created appropriately detailed models of hippocampal principal cells and interneurons, which were then used to explore how these different cell types interact within the hippocampal network. In particular, we show that different input pathways drive pyramidal cells with a different efficacy, and that the relative efficacy of different inputs can be modulated by various neurotransmitters and, in a more specific manner, by dendritic inhibition. Feedback inhibition could also selectively gate backpropagating action potentials.