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Parallel processing in the mammalian olfactory bulb

Geramita, Matthew (2016) Parallel processing in the mammalian olfactory bulb. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Splitting sensory information into parallel pathways is a common strategy in sensory systems. Yet, it is not well understood how circuits in these parallel pathways are composed to maintain or even enhance the encoding of specific stimulus features. In this dissertation, we investigate the parallel pathways formed by mitral and tufted cells (MCs and TCs) of the olfactory system and characterize the emergence of feature selectivity in these cell types via distinct patterns of connectivity to local inhibitory interneurons. Chapter 2 explores differences in feedforward circuitry onto MCs and TCs. We find that MCs display longer latency spiking that is more strongly dependent on stimulus intensity than TCs. Longer latency spiking in MCs is a consequence of weaker excitatory and stronger inhibitory currents, mediated by periglomerular cells, onto MCs compared to TCs. Chapter 3 describes the causes and consequences of lateral inhibition differences between MCs and TCs. We find that MCs are affected by lateral inhibition at intermediate firing rates, while TCs are affected at lower firing rates. These differences arise, in part, due to differential recruitment of morphologically distinct classes of granule cells by MCs and TCs. Using simulations, we show that these differences in lateral inhibition allow TCs and MCs to perform odor discriminations best in separate concentration ranges. Together, the experiments described here suggest that differences in odor-evoked responses between MCs and TCs are a consequence of distinct patterns of connectivity to multiple populations of inhibitory interneurons.

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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Geramita, Matthewmag192@pitt.eduMAG192
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairUrban, Nathannurban@pitt.edu
Committee MemberAizenman, Eliasredox@pitt.edu
Committee MemberBarth, Alisonabarth@andrew.cmu.edu
Committee MemberKuhlman, Sandraskuhlman@andrew.cmu.edu
Committee MemberDoiron, Brentbrent.doiron@gmail.com
Committee MemberRessler, Kerrykressler@mclean.harvard.edu
Date: 29 September 2016
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 9 June 2016
Approval Date: 29 September 2016
Submission Date: 27 June 2016
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Number of Pages: 153
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Neuroscience
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: olfaction computational neuroscience
Date Deposited: 30 Sep 2016 00:53
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2016 14:34
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/28389

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