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Hogg, Peter William

University of British Columbia

The dendritic arbor of a neuron develops through a highly dynamic process, which is crucial for the neuron's ability to perform its computations. While the significance of this developmental stage is well-recognized, the mechanisms guiding dendritic maturation remain incompletely understood. This thesis investigates how visual information drives the dendritic development of neurons in the optic tectum. These investigations were made possible by combining cutting-edge imaging technologies with computational tools for dynamic morphological analysis. To achieve this, a state-of-the-art random-access multi-photon microscope (SLAP2) was constructed, along with the development of specialized image and signal processing software to fully utilize the system's capabilities. This included implementing computer vision algorithms for real-time segmentation of regions of interest during imaging. The high-speed imaging generates vast amounts of functional data, necessitating the creation of new methods for processing and storing this information. Additionally, a novel data structure was developed to integrate morphological and functional recordings from the same neuron. The culmination of this work was Dynamo, a software package and Python library designed to track the structural dynamics of individual brain cells. Dynamo incorporates automated neuron tracing using machine learning techniques, enabling precise analysis of morphological and functional changes over time. Using Dynamo and high-speed volumetric functional recordings of neurons \textit{in vivo}, this thesis reveals how sensory-driven information directs the organization of synaptic inputs. These experiments demonstrate that visual information is essential for refining the synaptic topography and dendritic morphology of developing neurons. Visual stimuli result in clustered synaptic topography, with synapses encoding similar information being spatially organized on dendritic branches. These findings provide new insights into how structural and functional plasticity drive topographical changes during development. Furthermore, this work offers a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that may become disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders, highlighting the importance of sensory experiences in shaping neuronal circuits.

Text

2025-04-10

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/90622

Neuroscience

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/