SHAPING NEURONAL DENDRITES: INTERPLAY OF TOPOLOGICAL AND METRICAL PARAMETERS

The functional role of a neuron within a network is influenced by the geometry of its dendrites. In the present study we have used a new model of dendritic arborization to analyze how metrical and topological parameters interact to shape a certain dendritic tree. One of the specific questions addressed is how to change topological variability in a systematic way while preserving the metrical features. The second problem concerns the effect of topology on the relationship between dendritic size and the distribution of dendritic surface area with radial distance from soma. The simulation results reproduce features of dendritic architecture found in neocortical pyramidal cells and cat superior colliculus neurons.