Clock-Generated Temporal Codes Determine Synaptic Plasticity to Control Sleep.

ABSTRACT: Neurons use two main schemes to encode information: rate coding (frequency of firing) and temporal coding (timing or pattern of firing). While the importance of rate coding is well established, it remains controversial whether temporal codes alone are sufficient for controlling behavior. Moreover, the molecular mechanisms underlying the generation of specific temporal codes are enigmatic. Here, we show in Drosophila clock neurons that distinct temporal spike patterns, dissociated from changes in firing rate, encode time-dependent arousal and regulate sleep. From a large-scale genetic screen, we identify the molecular pathways mediating the circadian-dependent changes in ionic flux and spike morphology that rhythmically modulate spike timing. Remarkably, the daytime spiking pattern alone is

SUBMITTER: Tabuchi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6239908 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature