Parallel independent voltage computing along dendrites of CA3 pyramidal neurons

A Asako Noguchi (Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.) S Satoshi Terada (Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.) G George N. Zakka (Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.) C Cliodhna O’Toole (Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.) L Luke Reynolds (Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.) M Michelle Ann Land (Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.) B Balázs J. Rózsa (BrainVisionCenter, Budapest, Hungary.) F François St-Pierre (Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.) A Attila Losonczy (Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.)

Abstract

Dendritic computation contributes to information processing in cortical circuits. Hippocampal CA3 plays a central role in navigation, but how the dendrites of CA3 pyramidal neurons process information in vivo remains largely unknown. Using voltage imaging across dendrites and somata of CA3 pyramidal neurons during virtual reality–guided navigation in mice, we found that the dendritic arbor comprises multiple independent computational units that can dynamically couple to or dissociate from somatic activity, depending on behavioral conditions. Dendritic activity shapes subcellular representations of space, reward, and context through conditional coupling to the somatic output. Furthermore, spatially cotuned dendrites retain their coordination during sharp-wave ripples. These findings demonstrate that past, present, and future representations coexist within the dendritic arbor of CA3 pyramidal neurons, collectively shaping behaviorally relevant neuronal coding.

Article Details

Journal Science
Volume / Issue Vol. 393, Issue 6808
Published July 16, 2026
Pages 306-312
ISSN 0036-8075
Publisher American Association for the Advancement of Science

Journal Info

Science

American Association for the Advancement of Science

ISSN: 0036-8075 Social Sciences

Authors (9)

A

Asako Noguchi

Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.

S

Satoshi Terada

Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.

G

George N. Zakka

Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.

C

Cliodhna O’Toole

Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.

L

Luke Reynolds

Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.

M

Michelle Ann Land

Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.

B

Balázs J. Rózsa

BrainVisionCenter, Budapest, Hungary.

F

François St-Pierre

Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.

A

Attila Losonczy

Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.