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Axonal Tree Morphology and Signal Propagation Dynamics Improve Interneuron Classification

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Abstract

Neurons are diverse and can be differentiated by their morphological, electrophysiological, and molecular properties. Current morphology-based classification approaches largely rely on the dendritic tree structure or on the overall axonal projection layout. Here, we use data from public databases of neuronal reconstructions and membrane properties to study the characteristics of the axonal and dendritic trees for interneuron classification. We show that combining signal propagation patterns observed by biophysical simulations of the activity along ramified axonal trees with morphological parameters of the axonal and dendritic trees, significantly improve classification results compared to previous approaches. The classification schemes introduced here can be utilized for robust neuronal classification. Our work paves the way for understanding and utilizing form-function principles in realistic neuronal reconstructions.

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Acknowledgements

This work has been partially supported by the Israel Science Foundation. Orit Shefi (1053/15) and Gur Yaari (832/16).

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  1. Faculty of Engineering, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 5290002, Israel

    Netanel Ofer, Orit Shefi & Gur Yaari

  2. Bar Ilan Institute of Nanotechnologies and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 5290002, Israel

    Netanel Ofer & Orit Shefi

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  1. Netanel Ofer
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Correspondence to Orit Shefi or Gur Yaari.

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Ofer, N., Shefi, O. & Yaari, G. Axonal Tree Morphology and Signal Propagation Dynamics Improve Interneuron Classification. Neuroinform 18, 581–590 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12021-020-09466-8

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