Shining light on dendrites: Inhibitory control, synaptic plasticity and neuronal excitability

Brain cells receive signals of thousands other brain cells via synaptic connections. These positive and negative signals are processed in the dendrites and determine the activity of the receiving brain cell. In this thesis, Lotte Herstel studied the interaction of these synaptic signals and different ion channels in dendrites. She made recordings of the small electrical signals in individual brain cells and combined these with new biosensors and advanced microscopy to shine light om the molecular processes that take place inside brain cells and their dendrites. Her work demonstrates that different brain cells employ specific mechanisms to adjust their dendrites when circumstances are changing. She also shows how positive and negative signals in dendrites are coordinated. In addition, Lotte studied the development of brain cells from mice and humans. She shows in mice that brain development is influenced by experience right after birth and she describes the specific stages that occur in developing human brain cells until the first successful action potential firing. The results from this PhD thesis demonstrate how the interactions between different electrical and molecular signals determine and able to change the activity of brain cells. This fundamental knowledge is necessary to understand how information is processed in our brain.