# Dynamics of Kv channel function in identified populations of pyramidal neurons in neocortex

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCI CTR · 2020 · $466,986

## Abstract

Our research is aimed at elucidating how ion channels regulate the processing of information by neurons in the
cerebral cortex, i.e., the diverse mechanisms neurons use to convert synaptic input into action potentials. The
proposed experiments will determine basic principles of how voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels regulate
postsynaptic processing of inputs in layer 5 (L5) neocortical pyramidal neurons (PNs). PNs are the output cells
of cortex and key players in learning, memory, and sensorimotor processing, as well as the targets of central
nervous system diseases (e.g., epilepsy). The proposed studies go beyond the standard notion that potassium
channels act as an intrinsic brake on excitability. They are designed to determine the influence Kv2 and Kv7
channels have on the types of information that L5 PNs respond to and how that information is filtered before
downstream transmission. We will study mechanisms controlling firing behavior in two classes of pyramidal
neurons: intratelencephalic-projecting (IT) and pyramidal tract (PT) type, represented by two genetically-identified PNs with GFP expressed in populations of L5 PNs under control of unique genes: etv1 (IT) and thy1
(PT). We will test hypotheses concerning how Kv2 and Kv7 channels regulate burst firing (Aim 1) and
continuous firing (repetitive bursting and suprathreshold resonance: Aim 2). Kv channel properties and
expression are dynamic. They can undergo plastic changes in response to activity or signaling pathways and
thus change neuronal filtering properties. Thus, we will also study use-dependent plasticity of intrinsic
excitability (Aim 3). We use transgenic mouse lines and state-of-the-art electrophysiological approaches,
including somatic / dendritic paired recordings, dynamic clamp, internal pipet perfusion, nucleated patch and
on-cell patch recordings, as well as whole cell and gramicidin perforated patch. We also use two-photon and
charge-coupled device (CCD)-based Ca2+ imaging systems. Our stimulus protocols are designed to mimic
natural synaptic activity arriving at the soma of a neuron (the common summing point for all dendrites) and will
be systematically varied to simulate different levels or composition of inputs. Our findings will have major
implications for cortical processing, ion channel function, understanding neural computations, and mechanisms
underlying epilepsy, anesthesia, learning and memory.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9851009
- **Project number:** 5R01NS044163-16
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCI CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Robert C Foehring
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $466,986
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2003-03-01 → 2023-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9851009

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9851009, Dynamics of Kv channel function in identified populations of pyramidal neurons in neocortex (5R01NS044163-16). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9851009. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*