Noradrenergic enhancement of Ca2+ responses of basal dendrites in layer 5 pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex

Although the excitatory effects of noradrenaline have been thoroughly studied in the central nervous system, there is relatively little known about the adrenergic effects on Ca2+ dynamics of dendrites. In the present study, we imaged basal dendrites of layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex using two-photon microscopy. In our experiments noradrenaline, applied in the bath, enhanced excitability of layer 5 pyramidal neurons. The number of evoked action potentials following current injection to the soma increased by 44.7% on average. In the basal dendrites and spines the evoked Ca2+ responses were also markedly enhanced. Noradrenaline-induced effects could be blocked by the β-adrenergic blocker propranolol. Our data, that activation of the noradrenergic system increases excitability of layer 5 pyramidal neurons via β-adrenergic receptors and enhances Ca2+ signaling in basal dendrites, suggest a cellular site of action for noradrenaline to improve the integrative capabilities of dendrites.