TY - JOUR T1 - Neuronal gain modulability is determined by dendritic morphology: a computational optogenetic study JF - bioRxiv DO - 10.1101/096586 SP - 096586 AU - Sarah Jarvis AU - Konstantin Nikolic AU - Simon Schultz Y1 - 2016/01/01 UR - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2016/12/23/096586.abstract N2 - The mechanisms by which the gain of the neuronal input-output function may be modulated have been the subject of much investigation. However, little is known of the role of dendrites in neuronal gain control. New optogenetic experimental paradigms based on spatial profiles or patterns of light stimulation offer the prospect of elucidating many aspects of single cell function, including the role of dendrites in gain control. We thus developed a model to investigate how competing excitatory and inhibitory input within the dendritic arbor alters neuronal gain, incorporating kinetic models of opsins into our modeling to ensure it is experimentally testable. We found a relationship between a neuron’s ability to modulate gain and its dendritic morphology, with neurons with bipolar dendrites with a moderate degree of branching being most receptive to control of the gain of their input-output relationship. This was consistent whether the neuron was driven by current injection or by simulated synaptic input, and was independent of ion channel composition, suggesting that it is an intrinsic property of neurons. In addition to providing testable predictions and a novel application of dual-opsins, our model suggests that innervation of all dendritic subdomains is required for full gain modulation, revealing the importance of dendritic targeting in the generation of neuronal gain control and the functions that it subserves.Author SummaryGain modulability indicated by dendritic morphologyPyramidal cell-like shapes optimally receptive to modulationAll dendritic subdomains required for gain modulation, partial illumination is insufficientComputational optogenetic models improve and refine experimental protocols ER -