Neurotransmitter-gated ion channels in dendrites

The ability of populations of neurons in the central nervous system to rapidly and effectively share and process information is essential for brain function. The majority of communication occurs via fast chemical synapses at which neurotransmitter-gated ion channels mediate either excitatory or inhibitory effects. The biophysical properties and dendritic location of neurotransmitter receptors influence the nature of the information processing performed. In this chapter, we examine the evidence that such neurotransmitter receptors are heterogeneous, can be differentially distributed, are highly dynamic, and contribute to various forms of plasticity. We focus on receptors activated by the neurotransmitters glutamate or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and discuss the factors that influence their function at synaptic and non-synaptic sites. We illustrate how the low-level biophysical properties of neurotransmitter receptors and their spatial distribution in the dendritic tree affect signal transmission, dendritic integration, and the computations performed at the single neuron and network levels.