Differential modulation by serotonin of GABA-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents recorded from layer V pyramidal neurons in the rat visual cortex

1998 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. S70
Author(s):  
Koichi Kaneko ◽  
Takayuki Murakoshi ◽  
Mie Kubota ◽  
Shiro Konishi ◽  
Tsutomu Tanabe
2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 133-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaideep Kapur ◽  
Stacey Trotter

Homeostatic Synaptic Plasticity Can Explain Posttraumatic Epileptogenesis in Chronically Isolated Neocortex Houweling AR, Bazhenov M, Timofeev I, Steriade M, Sejnowski TJ Cereb Cortex 2004 [Epub ahead of print] Permanently isolated neocortex develops chronic hyperexcitability and focal epileptogenesis in a period of days to weeks. The mechanisms operating in this model of posttraumatic epileptogenesis are not well understood. We hypothesized that the spontaneous burst discharges recorded in permanently isolated neocortex result from homeostatic plasticity (a mechanism generally assumed to stabilize neuronal activity) induced by low neuronal activity after deafferentation. To test this hypothesis, we constructed computer models of neocortex incorporating a biologically based homeostatic plasticity rule that operates to maintain firing rates. After deafferentation, homeostatic upregulation of excitatory synapses on pyramidal cells, either with or without concurrent downregulation of inhibitory synapses or upregulation of intrinsic excitability, initiated slowly repeating burst discharges that closely resembled the epileptiform burst discharges recorded in permanently isolated neocortex. These burst discharges lasted a few hundred milliseconds, propagated at 1 to 3 cm/s and consisted of large (10–15 mV) intracellular depolarizations topped by a small number of action potentials. Our results support a role for homeostatic synaptic plasticity as a novel mechanism of posttraumatic epileptogenesis. Excitatory and Inhibitory Postsynaptic Currents in a Rat Model of Epileptogenic Microgyria Jacobs KM, Prince DA J Neurophysiol 2005;93:687–696 Developmental cortical malformations are common in patients with intractable epilepsy; however, mechanisms contributing to this epileptogenesis are currently poorly understood. We previously characterized hyperexcitability in a rat model that mimics the histopathology of human four-layered microgyria. Here we examined inhibitory and excitatory postsynaptic currents in this model to identify functional alterations that might contribute to epileptogenesis associated with microgyria. We recorded isolated whole-cell excitatory postsynaptic currents and GABAA receptor–mediated inhibitory currents from layer V pyramidal neurons in the region previously shown to be epileptogenic (paramicrogyral area) and in homotopic control cortex. Epileptiform-like activity could be evoked in 60% of paramicrogyral (PMG) cells by local stimulation. The peak conductance of both spontaneous and evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents was significantly larger in all PMG cells compared with controls. This difference in amplitude was not present after blockade of ionotropic glutamatergic currents or for miniature (m) inhibitory postsynaptic currents, suggesting that it was due to the excitatory afferent activity driving inhibitory neurons. This conclusion was supported by the finding that glutamatereceptor antagonist application resulted in a significantly greater reduction in spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic current frequency in one PMG cell group (PMGE) compared with control cells. The frequency of both spontaneous and miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents was significantly greater in all PMG cells, suggesting that pyramidal neurons adjacent to a microgyrus receive more excitatory input than do those in control cortex. These findings suggest that there is an increase in numbers of functional excitatory synapses on both interneurons and pyramidal cells in the PMG cortex, perhaps due to hyperinnervation by cortical afferents originally destined for the microgyrus proper.


2004 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 873-882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Kang ◽  
Li Jiang ◽  
Wei He ◽  
Jun Xu ◽  
Maiken Nedergaard ◽  
...  

Kainate-type glutamate ionotropic receptors (KAR) mediate either depression or potentiation of inhibitory transmission. The mechanisms underlying the depressant effect of KAR agonists have been controversial. Under dual patch-clamp recording techniques in synaptically coupled pairs of CA1 interneurons and pyramidal neurons in hippocampal slices, micromolar concentrations of KAR agonists, kainic acid (KA, 10 μM) and ATPA (10 μM), induced inactivation of action potentials (APs) in 58 and 50% of presynaptic interneurons, respectively. Inactivation of interneuronal APs might have significantly contributed to KA-induced decreases in evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs) that are obtained by stimulating the stratum radiatum. With controlled interneuronal APs, KAR agonists induced a decrease in the potency (mean amplitude of successful events) and mean amplitude (including failures) of unitary inhibitory postsynaptic currents (uIPSCs) without significantly changing the success rate (Ps) at perisomatic high-Ps synapses. In contrast, KAR agonists induced a decrease in both the Ps and potency of uIPSCs at dendritic high-Ps synapses. KAR agonists induced an inhibition of GABAA currents by activating postsynaptic KARs in pyramidal neurons; this was more prominent at dendrites than at soma. Both the exogenous GABA-induced current and the amplitude of miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs) were attenuated by KAR agonists. Thus the postsynaptic KAR-mediated inhibition of GABAA currents may contribute to the KAR agonist-induced decrease in the potency of uIPSCs and KA-induced disinhibition.


2002 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott A. Irwin ◽  
Madhuri Idupulapati ◽  
Molly E. Gilbert ◽  
Jennifer B. Harris ◽  
Aparna B. Chakravarti ◽  
...  

2005 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 687-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Jacobs ◽  
D. A. Prince

Developmental cortical malformations are common in patients with intractable epilepsy; however, mechanisms contributing to this epileptogenesis are currently poorly understood. We previously characterized hyperexcitability in a rat model that mimics the histopathology of human 4-layered microgyria. Here we examined inhibitory and excitatory postsynaptic currents in this model to identify functional alterations that might contribute to epileptogenesis associated with microgyria. We recorded isolated whole cell excitatory postsynaptic currents and GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory currents (EPSCs and IPSCs) from layer V pyramidal neurons in the region previously shown to be epileptogenic (paramicrogyral area) and in homotopic control cortex. Epileptiform-like activity could be evoked in 60% of paramicrogyral (PMG) cells by local stimulation. The peak conductance of both spontaneous and evoked IPSCs was significantly larger in all PMG cells compared with controls. This difference in amplitude was not present after blockade of ionotropic glutamatergic currents or for miniature (m)IPSCs, suggesting that it was due to the excitatory afferent activity driving inhibitory neurons. This conclusion was supported by the finding that glutamate receptor antagonist application resulted in a significantly greater reduction in spontaneous IPSC frequency in one PMG cell group (PMGE) compared with control cells. The frequency of both spontaneous and miniature EPSCs was significantly greater in all PMG cells, suggesting that pyramidal neurons adjacent to a microgyrus receive more excitatory input than do those in control cortex. These findings suggest that there is an increase in numbers of functional excitatory synapses on both interneurons and pyramidal cells in the PMG cortex perhaps due to hyperinnervation by cortical afferents originally destined for the microgyrus proper.


1995 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 2329-2335 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. S. Ling ◽  
L. S. Benardo

1. The recruitment of evoked fast inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) and excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) was examined using whole cell voltage-clamp recordings from layer V pyramidal neurons in slices of rat somatosensory cortex. Synaptic currents were evoked with graded electrical stimulation to assess the relative activation of IPSCs and EPSCs. Fast GABAA ergic IPSCs were selectively recorded by holding cells at potentials equal to EPSC reversal (approximately 0 mV). EPSCs were likewise isolated by holding cells at IPSC reversal potential (about -75 mV). 2. As stimulus intensities were increased, the magnitude of the postsynaptic currents also increased. Over the range of stimuli applied (2-10 V), EPSCs did not exhibit an upper limit. However, fast gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA-mediated IPSCs reached a maximum at intensities approximately 2 times threshold. 3. The limit on fast inhibition was unresponsive to alterations in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-mediated excitation. Exposure to nominally magnesium-free solutions or to the NMDA antagonist 3-[(RS)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl]-propyl-1-phosphonic acid did not affect the fast IPSC maximum. Shifts in the input-output curves for submaximal activation of IPSCs were seen, which were attributed to polysynaptic excitation. 4.Blockade of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid/kainate (non-NMDA) receptors with 6-cyano-7-nitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) completely abolished synaptically driven, fast GABAA-mediated inhibition. These findings suggested that neocortical inhibitory cells could be driven exclusively through non-NMDA transmission. 5. By comparison, in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons maximal fast inhibition was sensitive to both NMDA and non-NMDA receptor blockade. 6. The results in neocortex were corroborated by direct intracellular recordings from layer V-VI interneurons. Non-NMDA receptor blockade with CNQX prevented synaptic activation of action potentials in these cells, even during cotreatment with magnesium-free solution. 7. Together, these results suggest that recruitment of GABA(A) ergic IPSCs in neocortex is ultimately driven via glutamatergic afferents arriving at non-NMDA receptors on interneurons. Properties limiting fast inhibition would favor the propagation of enhanced excitatory activity through the neuronal network.


1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 1352-1362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corette J. Wierenga ◽  
Wytse J. Wadman

Miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) were measured in CA1 pyramidal neurons from long-term kindled rats (>6 weeks after they reached the stage of generalized seizures) and compared with controls. A large reduction in the number of mIPSCs was observed in a special group of large mIPSCs (amplitude >75 pA). The frequency of mIPSCs in this group was reduced from 0.042 Hz in controls to 0.027 Hz in the kindled animals. The reduction in this group resulted in a highly significant difference in the amplitude distributions. A distinction was made between fast mIPSCs (rise time <2.8 ms) and slow mIPSCs. Fast mIPSCs, which could originate from synapses onto the soma and proximal dendrites, had significantly larger amplitudes than slow mIPSCs, which could originate from more distal synapses (35.4 ± 1.1 vs. 26.2 ± 0.4 pA in the kindled group; means ± SE). The difference in the value of the mean of all amplitudes and frequency of fast and slow mIPSCs did not reach significance when the kindled group was compared with controls. The mIPSC kinetics were not different after kindling, from which we conclude that the receptor properties had not changed. Nonstationary noise analysis of the largest mIPSCs suggested that the single-channel conductance and the number of postsynaptic receptors was similar in the kindled and control groups. Our results suggest a 40–50% reduction in a small fraction of (peri-) somatic synapses with large or complex postsynaptic structure after kindling. This functionally relevant reduction may be related to previously observed loss of a specific class of interneurons. Our findings are consistent with a reduction in inhibitory drive in the CA1 area. Such a reduction could underlie the enhanced seizure susceptibility after kindling epileptogenesis.


F1000Research ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
Juan A Varela ◽  
Jungang Wang ◽  
Donald C Cooper

Traumatic events may lead to anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the majority of individuals exposed to trauma do not develop these disorders. The stressor controllability paradigm has been widely used as a model for understanding the neurobiology underlying factors that confer vulnerability and resilience to the outcome of traumatic events. In this paradigm rats receive a series of tail shocks: one group of rats have control over the termination of the shock by means of turning a wheel (escapable shock, ES), while the other “yoked” group of rats receive physically identical shocks but have no control over shock termination (inescapable shock, IS). In subsequent behavioral tests that model components of anxiety and depression, IS rats without control show increased signs of behavioral depression, while ES rats that have control over the shock behave as naïve home caged (HC) rats. We have previously reported that individual deep layer pyramidal neurons from the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) exhibit changes in their intrinsic excitability following ES. To examine if there is a corresponding reduction in synaptic inhibition, we tested IS, ES and HC deep layer pyramidal neurons under identical conditions. Collecting such electrophysiological data from pyramidal neurons after exposure to stress is a technical challenge, yet very useful for conductance-based neural simulations and computational modeling.  Here we present a data set of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) gathered from whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of individual prefrontal cortical deep layer neurons from adult rats (60-70 days old) after exposure to ES, IS or HC. In order to analyze the data, we provide our script used for the detection of synaptic events written for the scientific/engineering program Igor Pro that allows users to define their own event detection parameters.


Biomedicines ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Kyung-Min Kwon ◽  
Myung-Jun Lee ◽  
Han-Saem Chung ◽  
Jae-Hong Pak ◽  
Chang-Jin Jeon

Somatostatin (SST) is widely expressed in the brain and plays various, vital roles involved in neuromodulation. The purpose of this study is to characterize the organization of SST neurons in the Mongolian gerbil visual cortex (VC) using immunocytochemistry, quantitative analysis, and confocal microscopy. As a diurnal animal, the Mongolian gerbil provides us with a different perspective to other commonly used nocturnal rodent models. In this study, SST neurons were located in all layers of the VC except in layer I; they were most common in layer V. Most SST neurons were multipolar round/oval or stellate cells. No pyramidal neurons were found. Moreover, 2-color immunofluorescence revealed that only 33.50%, 24.05%, 16.73%, 0%, and 64.57% of SST neurons contained gamma-aminobutyric acid, calbindin-D28K, calretinin, parvalbumin, and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, respectively. In contrast, neuropeptide Y and nitric oxide synthase were abundantly expressed, with 80.07% and 75.41% in SST neurons, respectively. Our immunocytochemical analyses of SST with D1 and D2 dopamine receptors and choline acetyltransferase, α7 and β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors suggest that dopaminergic and cholinergic fibers contact some SST neurons. The results showed some distinguishable features of SST neurons and provided some insight into their afferent circuitry in the gerbil VC. These findings may support future studies investigating the role of SST neurons in visual processing.


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