Parvalbumin interneuron dendrites enhance gamma oscillations

Dendrites are important determinants of the input-output relationship of single neurons, but their role in network computations is not well understood. Here, we used a combination of dendritic patch-clamp recordings and in silico modeling to determine how dendrites of parvalbumin (PV)-expressing basket cells contribute to network oscillations in the gamma frequency band. Simultaneous soma-dendrite recordings from PV basket cells in the dentate gyrus revealed that the slope, or gain, of the dendritic input-output relationship is exceptionally low, thereby reducing the cell’s sensitivity to changes in its input. By simulating gamma oscillations in detailed network models, we demonstrate that the low gain is key to increase spike synchrony in PV neuron assemblies when cells are driven by spatially and temporally heterogeneous synaptic input. These results highlight the role of dendritic computations in synchronized network oscillations.