Figure 11.

Schematic summary of subtype-dependent morphologies and connectivity. Compared with CCS cells, the apical tufts of CPn neurons are more elaborate within the superficial thalamic input zone of layer 1. The tuft dendritic length was similar between L5a and L5b CPn cells, but was longer in L5a than in L5b CCS cells. L2/3 oblique branches in the middle thalamic input zone were much fewer in L5b CPn cells than L5a CPn cells and L5b CCS cells. The basal dendrites of L5b CPn cells in the deep thalamic zone were most elaborate. Finally, CCS cells extended axon collaterals more locally, whereas L5b CPn cells have the widest distribution of axon collaterals. CPn pairs were connected more reciprocally than CCS cells. Reciprocal connections were only found in L5b among CCS pairs. The EPSC amplitude was larger in CPn than in CCS connections. Especially, one direction of reciprocally connected pairs sometimes showed large EPSCs (>100 pA). CPn pairs showed facilitation to successive presynaptic spikes, whereas CCS pairs showed depression.