We find that dendritic inhibition changes how excitation from the auditory nerve is integrated in the dendrites. Inhibition on dendrites changes temporal integration locally while still allowing the cell to maintain its incredible submillisecond coincidence detection computations in the soma.

We then asked if they receive inhibition. It was previously assumed that these cells only get excitation from the nerve. It made sense at the time! The area where octopus cells can be found, conveniently called the octopus cell area (OCA), is seemingly devoid of inhibitory puncta.

We first asked, what type of inputs octopus cells receive from the ear? Using genetic labelling of auditory nerve fibers, we found that octopus cells predominantly get input from nerve fibers with low sound intensity thresholds, which is to say they encode quiet sounds well.

All mammals have a beautiful neuron in their brainstem called the octopus cell. I love that Kirsten Osen gave them this name in 1969: “As many of the cells have all their dendrites gathered on one side of their cell body, they often look like octopuses, and therefore I propose that name for them.”

I had a great day in DC with @audreydrotos.bsky.social! First we talked with Sen. McCormick at the #KeystoneBreakfast and then met with a legislative aide for @fetterman.senate.gov. Great to speak with them about the future of biomedical research and the importance of the NIH.

Perfect way to start the new lab and the new year! Excited to talk about octopus cells with everyone