Dynamic neuronal activation of a distributed cortico-basal ganglia-thalamus loop in learning a delayed sensorimotor task

Mapping Intimacies ◽

10.1101/568055 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaowei Gu ◽

Chengyu T. Li

Keyword(s):

Basal Ganglia ◽

Neuronal Activity ◽

Weak Interaction ◽

Unit Activity ◽

Single Unit ◽

Premotor Cortex ◽

Single Unit Activity ◽

Functional Interaction ◽

Sensorimotor Transformation ◽

Related Information

AbstractThe cortico-basal ganglia-thalamus (CBT) loop is important for behavior. However, the activity and learning-related modulation within the loop in behavior remain unclear. To tackle this problem, we trained mice to perform a delayed sensorimotor-transformation task and recorded single-unit activity during learning simultaneously from four regions in a CBT loop: prelimbic area (PrL), posterior premotor cortex (pM2), dorsomedial caudate/putamen (dmCP), and mediodorsal thalamus (MD). Sensory and decision related information were encoded by the neurons within the loop, with weak interaction among neurons of different coding ability. The functional interaction among regions within the loop was dynamically routed in the loop during different behavioral phases and contributed to explain decision-related neuronal activity. The neurons of PrL and dmCP exhibited learning-related reorganization in neuronal activity and more persistent coding of sensory and decision-related information. Thus, both sensory- and decision-related information are processed in a functionally interacted CBT loop that is modulated by learning.

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Effects of ouabain on neuronal thermosensitivity in hypothalamic tissue slices

AJP Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpregu.1989.257.1.r21 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 257 (1) ◽

pp. R21-R28

Author(s):

M. C. Curras ◽

J. A. Boulant

Keyword(s):

Firing Rate ◽

Neuronal Activity ◽

Unit Activity ◽

Single Unit ◽

Single Unit Activity ◽

Tissue Slices ◽

Temperature Changes ◽

Cold Sensitive ◽

Hypothalamic Tissue

To determine the role of the electrogenic Na+-K+ pump in neuronal thermosensitivity, single-unit activity was recorded in rat hypothalamic tissue slices before, during, and after perfusions containing 10(-5) or 10(-6) M ouabain, a specific pump inhibitor. Most neurons were recorded in the preoptic-anterior hypothalamus. Some neurons were also tested with high magnesium-low calcium perfusions to determine ouabain's effects on neuronal activity during synaptic blockade. When the neurons were characterized according to thermosensitivity, 24% were warm sensitive, 8% were cold sensitive, and 68% were temperature insensitive. Ouabain increased the firing rate of 60% of all neurons. Ouabain did not reduce the thermosensitivity of cold-sensitive and warm-sensitive neurons; however, temperature-insensitive neurons became more warm sensitive during ouabain perfusion. This increase in warm sensitivity did not occur with ouabain plus high Mg2+-low Ca2+ perfusion, suggesting that Ca2+ is important in this response. These results indicate that the Na-K pump is not responsible for the thermosensitivity of hypothalamic cold-sensitive or warm-sensitive neurons; however, this pump may be actively employed by many neurons that remain insensitive to temperature changes.

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Oscillations in the premotor cortex: single-unit activity from awake, behaving monkeys

Experimental Brain Research ◽

10.1007/s002210050022 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 130 (2) ◽

pp. 195-215 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

M. A. Lebedev ◽

S. P. Wise

Keyword(s):

Unit Activity ◽

Single Unit ◽

Premotor Cortex ◽

Single Unit Activity ◽

Behaving Monkeys

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Failure of single-unit neuronal activity to differentiate globus pallidus internus and externus in Parkinson disease

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/jns.2002.97.1.0119 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 97 (1) ◽

pp. 119-128 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Steven J. Schiff ◽

Brian K. Dunagan ◽

Robert M. Worth

Keyword(s):

Parkinson Disease ◽

Globus Pallidus ◽

Neuronal Activity ◽

Unit Activity ◽

Single Unit ◽

Electrode Placement ◽

Spike Sorting ◽

Single Unit Activity ◽

Content Type ◽

Fine Print

Object. The authors examine the validity of single-unit neuronal recordings as a method of differentiating the globus pallidus internus (GPi) from the GP externus (GPe) in Parkinson Disease. Methods. One hundred twenty-eight recordings of apparent single-unit activity used to help guide final electrode placement in eight patients who underwent pallidotomy were analyzed using sophisticated spike sorting methods, and 185 neurons were characterized for mean firing frequency and percent of firing within bursts. In addition, the total spectral power was calculated on the full measured waveform for each of 128 samples without spike sorting. No correlation was identified between these measures of neuronal activity and depth within the GP. ConclusionsThese results call into question the validity of relying on single-unit activity and microelectrode recordings in the operating room to localize lesion or electrode placement within the GPi during stereotactic pallidal surgery.

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Network-wide oscillations in the parkinsonian state: alterations in neuronal activities occur in the premotor cortex in parkinsonian nonhuman primates

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.00011.2017 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 117 (6) ◽

pp. 2242-2249 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Jing Wang ◽

Luke A. Johnson ◽

Alicia L. Jensen ◽

Kenneth B. Baker ◽

Gregory F. Molnar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Basal Ganglia ◽

Neuronal Activity ◽

Single Unit ◽

Nonhuman Primates ◽

Premotor Cortex ◽

Future Studies ◽

Frequency Bands ◽

Power Spectral

A number of studies suggest that Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with alterations of neuronal activity patterns in the basal-ganglia-thalamocortical circuit. There are limited electrophysiological data, however, describing how the premotor cortex, which is involved in movement and decision-making, is likely impacted in PD. In this study, spontaneous local field potential (LFP) and single unit neuronal activity were recorded in the dorsal premotor area of nonhuman primates in both the naïve and parkinsonian state using the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) model of parkinsonism. In both animals, we observed a shift of power in LFP power spectral densities (1−350 Hz) from higher to lower frequency bands; parkinsonism resulted in increased power in frequencies <8 Hz and decreased power at frequencies >30 Hz. A comparable but not identical trend was observed in the power spectral analysis of single unit spike trains: alpha power increased in both animals and gamma power decreased in one; power in other frequency bands remaining unchanged. Although not consistent across animals, we also observed changes in discharge rates and bursting activity. Overall, the LFP and single unit analysis suggest that abnormalities in premotor neural activity are a feature of parkinsonism, although specific details of those abnormalities may differ between subjects. This study further supports the concept that PD is a network disorder that induces abnormal spontaneous neural activities across the basal-ganglia-thalamocortical circuit including the premotor cortex and provides foundational knowledge for future studies regarding the relationship between changes in neuronal activity in this region and the development of motor deficits in PD. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study begins to fill a gap in knowledge regarding how Parkinson’s disease (PD) may cause abnormal functioning of the premotor cortex. It is novel as the premotor activity is examined in both the naïve and parkinsonian states, in the same subjects, at the single unit and LFP level. It provides foundational knowledge on which to build future studies to explore the relationships between premotor activities and specific parkinsonian motor and cognitive deficits.

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