Abstract

Human brain function arises from a continuous activity flowing through specific cells, guided by intricate synaptic arrangements. Therefore, determining the architecture and properties of functioning microcircuits is crucial for understanding the complexities of brain function. However, our current microcircuit knowledge is limited, and for the human brain – almost non-existent. I will present our recent findings using a combination of multicellular patch-clamp-based circuit analysis and super-resolution imaging to elucidate the microcircuit architecture of the hippocampus, a critical brain region for memory. Studying the rodent brain at the individual cell level reveals distinct cell populations with unique properties and interconnectivity, which significantly enhance the computational capabilities. Furthermore, I will discuss how we apply these techniques to the human brain, exploring the black box of our own wiring, which reveals new insights into the circuit basis of memory storage.