Dual role of norepinephrine in the hippocampal CA1 region of the rat: inhibition and disinhibition

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
pp. 814-819 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick P.-H. Leung ◽  
James J. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Epileptiform Activity ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Stratum Radiatum ◽  
Inhibitory Interneurons ◽  
Spike Response ◽  
Paired Pulse ◽  
Ca1 Region

Norepinephrine (NE) has been shown to produce either an inhibitory or an excitatory influence on CA1 pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus depending on the dosage. It was suggested that NE, in addition to exerting a direct inhibitory effect on pyramidal cells, may also act upon recurrent inhibitory interneurons to produce a disinhibition of the pyramidal cells. The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of NE on alveus-evoked inhibition, presumably mediated by the basket cell interneurons innervating the pyramidal cells. Experiments were carried out on the in vitro hippocampal slice preparation and inhibition was assessed by the percent reduction of the stratum radiatum evoked population spike response when preceded by a conditioning pulse delivered to the alveus to activate the inhibitory interneurons via the recurrent collaterals of the pyramidal cells. Paired pulse stimulation resulted in inhibition of the stratum radiatum evoked test response with conditioning-test intervals up to 60 ms. NE (50 μM) perfusion resulted in a significant and reversible reduction of the alveus-evoked recurrent inhibition. Intracellular recordings using a similar paired pulse paradigm corroborated the extracellular data well. The possible roles of NE in the physiological functioning and pathophysiology of epileptiform activity of the hippocampus are discussed.

Role of norepinephrine in seizurelike activity of hippocampal pyramidal cells maintained in vitro: alteration by 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of norepinephrine-containing systems

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (8) ◽  
pp. 841-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Mody ◽  
P. Leung ◽  
J. J. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Epileptiform Activity ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Population Spike ◽  
Stratum Radiatum ◽  
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential ◽  
Ca1 Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Ca1 Region ◽  
Population Spike Amplitude ◽  
6 Hydroxydopamine

Perfusion of 50 μM norepinephrine (NE) produced a marked, reversible decrease (range 20–28%) of the extracellular population spike and excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) responses of the CA1 region evoked by stratum radiatum stimulation in the rat hippocampal slice preparation. The effects of NE were dramatically altered in slices obtained from animals which were previously treated with intracerebral or intraventricular injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) to destroy forebrain catecholamine systems. In the latter preparations NE produced a reduction in the inhibition of the EPSP (50%), enhancement of the population spike amplitude, and multiple spike discharges characteristic of ongoing epileptiform activity. The reversal of NE-induced inhibition and the generation of seizurelike activity in 6-OHDA-treated animals suggests that NE may, in part, act upon interneurons to produce a disinhibition of CA1 pyramidal cells.

scholarly journals Progesterone Withdrawal Reduces Paired-Pulse Inhibition in Rat Hippocampus: Dependence on GABAA Receptor α4 Subunit Upregulation

2003 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 186-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fu-Chun Hsu ◽  
Sheryl S. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Extracellular Recording ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Chronic Administration ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Stratum Radiatum ◽  
Intraventricular Administration ◽  
Paired Pulse ◽  
Ca1 Region

Withdrawal from the endogenous steroid progesterone (P) after chronic administration increases anxiety and seizure susceptibility via declining levels of its potent GABA-modulatory metabolite 3α-OH-5α-pregnan-20-one (3α,5αTHP). This 3α,5α-THP withdrawal also results in a decreased decay time constant for GABA-gated current assessed using whole cell patch-clamp techniques on pyramidal cells acutely dissociated from CA1 hippocampus. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the decreases in total integrated GABA-gated current observed at the level of the isolated pyramidal cell would be manifested as a reduced GABA inhibition at the circuit level following hormone withdrawal. Toward this end, adult, female rats were administered P via subcutaneous capsule for 3 wk using a multiple withdrawal paradigm. We then evaluated paired-pulse inhibition (PPI) of pyramidal neurons in CA1 hippocampus using extracellular recording techniques in hippocampal slices from rats 24 h after removal of the capsule (P withdrawal, P Wd). The population spike (PS) was recorded at the stratum pyramidale following homosynaptic orthodromic stimulation in the nearby stratum radiatum. The threshold for eliciting a response was decreased after P Wd, and the mean PS amplitude was significantly increased compared with control values at this time. Paired pulses with 10-ms inter-pulse intervals were then applied across an intensity range from 2 to 20 times threshold. Evaluation of paired-pulse responses showed a significant 40–50% reduction in PPI for PS recorded in the hippocampal CA1 region after P Wd, suggesting an increase in circuit excitability. At this time, enhancement of PPI by the benzodiazepine lorazepam (LZM; 10 μM) was prevented, while pentobarbital (10 μM) potentiation of PPI was comparable to control levels of response. These data are consistent with upregulation of the α4 subunit of the GABAA receptor (GABAR) as we have previously shown. Moreover, the reduced PPI caused by P Wd was prevented by suppression of GABAR α4-subunit expression following intraventricular administration of specific antisense oligonucleotides (1 μg/h for 72 h). These results demonstrating a reduction in PPI following P Wd suggest that GABAergic-mediated recurrent or feed-forward inhibition occurring at the circuit level were decreased following P Wd in female rats, an effect at least partially attributable to alterations in the GABAR subunit gene expression.

scholarly journals Glutamatergic Propagation of GABAergic Seizure-Like Afterdischarge in the Hippocampus In Vitro

2003 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 2746-2751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshikazu Isomura ◽  
Yoko Fujiwara-Tsukamoto ◽  
Masahiko Takada
Keyword(s):  
Epileptiform Activity ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Fluoride Ions ◽  
Ca1 Region ◽  
Cortical Regions

Previous investigations have suggested that GABA may act actively as an excitatory mediator in the generation of seizure-like (ictal) or interictal epileptiform activity in several experimental models of temporal lobe epilepsy. However, it remains to be known whether or not such GABAergic excitation may participate in seizure propagation into neighboring cortical regions. In our in vitro study using mature rat hippocampal slices, we examined the cellular mechanism underlying synchronous propagation of seizure-like afterdischarge in the CA1 region, which is driven by depolarizing GABAergic transmission, into the adjacent subiculum region. Tetanically induced seizure-like afterdischarge was always preceded by a GABAergic, slow posttetanic depolarization in the pyramidal cells of the original seizure-generating region. In contrast, the slow posttetanic depolarization was no longer observed in the subicular pyramidal cells when the afterdischarge was induced in the CA1 region. Surgical cutting of axonal pathways through the stratum oriens and the alveus between the CA1 and the subiculum region abolished the CA1-generated afterdischarge in the subicular pyramidal cells. Intracellular loading of fluoride ions, a GABAA receptor blocker, into single subicular pyramidal cells had no inhibitory effect on the CA1-generated afterdischarge in the pyramidal cells. Furthermore, the CA1-generated afterdischarge in the subicular pyramidal cells was largely depressed by local application of glutamate receptor antagonists to the subiculum region during afterdischarge generation. The present results indicate that the excitatory GABAergic generation of seizure-like activity seems to be restricted to epileptogenic foci of origin in the seizure-like epilepsy model in vitro.

Cell-Specific Alterations in Synaptic Properties of Hippocampal CA1 Interneurons After Kainate Treatment

1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (6) ◽  
pp. 2836-2847 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Morin ◽  
C. Beaulieu ◽  
J.-C. Lacaille
Keyword(s):  
Time Constant ◽  
Decay Time ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Stratum Radiatum ◽  
Inhibitory Interneurons ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Ca1 Region ◽  
Hippocampal Ca1 ◽  
Stratum Lacunosum Moleculare

Morin, F., C. Beaulieu, and J.-C. Lacaille. Cell-specific alterations in synaptic properties of hippocampal CA1 interneurons after kainate treatment. J. Neurophysiol. 80: 2836–2847, 1998. Hippocampal sclerosis and hyperexcitability are neuropathological features of human temporal lobe epilepsy that are reproduced in the kainic acid (KA) model of epilepsy in rats. To assess directly the role of inhibitory interneurons in the KA model, the membrane and synaptic properties of interneurons located in 1) stratum oriens near the alveus (O/A) and 2) at the border of stratum radiatum and stratum lacunosum-moleculare (LM), as well as those of pyramidal cells, were examined with whole cell recordings in slices of control and KA-lesioned rats. In current-clamp recordings, intrinsic cell properties such as action potential amplitude and duration, amplitude of fast and medium duration afterhyperpolarizations, membrane time constant, and input resistance were generally unchanged in all cell types after KA treatment. In voltage-clamp recordings, the amplitude and conductance of pharmacologically isolated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were significantly reduced in LM interneurons of KA-treated animals but were not significantly changed in O/A and pyramidal cells. The rise time of EPSCs was not significantly changed in any cell type after KA treatment. In contrast, the decay time constant of EPSCs was significantly faster in O/A interneurons of KA-treated rats but was unchanged in LM and pyramidal cells. The amplitude and conductance of pharmacologically isolated γ-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) were not significantly changed in any cell type of KA-treated rats. The rise time and decay time constant of GABAA IPSCs were significantly faster in pyramidal cells of KA-treated rats but were not significantly changed in O/A and LM interneurons. These results suggest that complex alterations in synaptic currents occur in specific subpopulations of inhibitory interneurons in the CA1 region after KA lesions. A reduction of evoked excitatory drive onto inhibitory cells located at the border of stratum radiatum and stratum lacunosum-moleculare may contribute to disinhibition and polysynaptic epileptiform activity in the CA1 region. Compensatory changes, involving excitatory synaptic transmission on other interneuron subtypes and inhibitory synaptic transmission on pyramidal cells, may also take place and contribute to the residual, functional monosynaptic inhibition observed in principal cells after KA treatment.

Inhibitory processes of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons following kindling-induced epilepsy in the rat

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (7) ◽  
pp. 872-878 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. W. Oliver ◽  
J. J. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Epileptiform Activity ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Repetitive Stimulation ◽  
Membrane Properties ◽  
Stratum Radiatum ◽  
Inhibitory Processes ◽  
Ca1 Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Hippocampal Ca1 ◽  
Stimulation Of

To determine the alterations in cellular function which may contribute to the chronic predisposition of neuronal tissue to epileptiform activity, the membrane properties and inhibitory processes of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells were investigated using in vitro slices prepared from commissural-kindled rats. No changes were observed in resting membrane potential, input resistance, spike amplitude, and membrane time constant of "kindled" CA1 pyramidal neurons when compared with controls. There were also no differences between control and kindled preparations in the amplitude of recurrent inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSP) and in the duration of inhibition produced by either alvear (Alv) or stratum radiatum (SR) stimulation. Irrespective of group, repetitive stimulation of the Alv reduced the amplitude of the recurrent IPSP but failed to induce seizurelike activity. On the other hand, repetitive stimulation of SR frequently produced a neuronal burst discharge even though the duration and to some extent the amplitude of orthodromic inhibition was increased. On the basis of these data, it may be suggested that chronic changes in CA1 pyramidal cell membrane properties and transient reductions of inhibitory processes do not underlie the enhanced sensitivity of these neurons to seizure activity associated with kindling.

Neuropeptide Y5 Receptors Reduce Synaptic Excitation in Proximal Subiculum, But Not Epileptiform Activity in Rat Hippocampal Slices

2000 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 723-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melisa W. Y. Ho ◽  
Annette G. Beck-Sickinger ◽  
William F. Colmers
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Model ◽  
Epileptiform Activity ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Membrane Properties ◽  
Stratum Radiatum ◽  
Synaptic Excitation ◽  
Vitro Model ◽  
Area Ca3

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) potently inhibits excitatory synaptic transmission in the hippocampus, acting predominantly via a presynaptic Y2 receptor. Recent reports that the Y5 receptor may mediate the anticonvulsant actions of NPY in vivo prompted us to test the hypothesis that Y5receptors inhibit synaptic excitation in the hippocampal slice and, furthermore, that they are effective in an in vitro model of anticonvulsant action. Two putative Y5 receptor–preferring agonists inhibited excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) evoked by stimulation of stratum radiatum in pyramidal cells. We recorded initially from area CA1 pyramidal cells, but subsequently switched to cells from the subiculum, where a much greater frequency of response was observed to Y5 agonist application. Bothd-Trp32NPY (1 μM) and [ahx8–20]Pro34NPY (3 μM), a centrally truncated, Y1/Y5 agonist we synthesized, inhibited stimulus-evoked EPSCs in subicular pyramidal cells by 44.0 ± 5.7% and 51.3 ± 3.5% (mean ± SE), in 37 and 58% of cells, respectively. By contrast, the less selective centrally truncated agonist, [ahx8–20] NPY (1 μM), was more potent (66.4 ± 4.1% inhibition) and more widely effective, suppressing the EPSC in 86% of subicular neurons. The site of action of all NPY agonists tested was most probably presynaptic, because agonist application caused no changes in postsynaptic membrane properties. The selective Y1 antagonist, BIBP3226 (1 μM), did not reduce the effect of either more selective agonist, indicating that they activated presynaptic Y5 receptors. Y5 receptor–mediated synaptic inhibition was more frequently observed in slices from younger animals, whereas the nonselective agonist appeared equally effective at all ages tested. Because of the similarity with the previously reported actions of Y2 receptors, we tested the ability of Y5receptor agonists to suppress stimulus train-induced bursting (STIB), an in vitro model of ictaform activity, in both area CA3 and the subiculum. Neither [ahx8–20]Pro34NPY nord-Trp32NPY were significantly effective in suppressing or shortening STIB-induced afterdischarge, with <20% of slices responding to these agonists in recordings from CA3 and none in subiculum. By contrast, 1 μM each of [ahx8–20]NPY, the Y2 agonist, [ahx5–24]NPY, and particularly NPY itself suppressed the afterdischarge in area CA3 and the subiculum, as reported earlier. We conclude that Y5receptors appear to regulate excitability to some degree in the subiculum of young rats, but their contribution is relatively small compared with those of Y2 receptors, declines with age, and is insufficient to block or significantly attenuate STIB-induced afterdischarges.

scholarly journals Synchronized gamma-frequency inhibition in neocortex depends on excitatory-inhibitory interactions but not electrical synapses

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garrett T. Neske ◽  
Barry W. Connors
Keyword(s):  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Barrel Cortex ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Inhibitory Interneurons ◽  
Electrical Synapses ◽  
Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Gamma Frequency ◽  
Up States ◽  
Inhibitory Interactions

Synaptic inhibition plays a crucial role in the precise timing of spiking activity in the cerebral cortex. Synchronized, rhythmic inhibitory activity in the gamma (30–80 Hz) range is thought to be especially important for the active, information-processing neocortex, but the circuit mechanisms that give rise to synchronized inhibition are uncertain. In particular, the relative contributions of reciprocal inhibitory connections, excitatory-inhibitory interactions, and electrical synapses to precise spike synchrony among inhibitory interneurons are not well understood. Here we describe experiments on mouse barrel cortex in vitro as it spontaneously generates slow (<1 Hz) oscillations (Up and Down states). During Up states, inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) are generated at gamma frequencies and are more synchronized than excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) among neighboring pyramidal cells. Furthermore, spikes in homotypic pairs of interneurons are more synchronized than in pairs of pyramidal cells. Comparing connexin36 knockout and wild-type animals, we found that electrical synapses make a minimal contribution to synchronized inhibition during Up states. Estimations of the delays between EPSCs and IPSCs in single pyramidal cells showed that excitation often preceded inhibition by a few milliseconds. Finally, tonic optogenetic activation of different interneuron subtypes in the absence of excitation led to only weak synchrony of IPSCs in pairs of pyramidal neurons. Our results suggest that phasic excitatory inputs are indispensable for synchronized spiking in inhibitory interneurons during Up states and that electrical synapses play a minimal role.

Direct demonstration of functional disconnection by anoxia of inhibitory interneurons from excitatory inputs in rat hippocampus

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 421-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Congar ◽  
R. Khazipov ◽  
Y. Ben-Ari
Keyword(s):  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Reversal Potential ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Stratum Radiatum ◽  
Patch Clamp Technique ◽  
Ca1 Region ◽  
Whole Cell Patch Clamp ◽  
Direct Demonstration ◽  
Outward Currents

1. We studied the effects of anoxia on excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs and IPSCs) evoked by electrical stimulation in the stratum radiatum in concomitantly recorded pyramidal cells and interneurons of the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices. We used the blind whole cell patch-clamp technique, and anoxia was induced by switching perfusion of the slice from oxygenated artificial cerebral spinal fluid (ACSF) to ACSF saturated with 95% N2-5% CO2 for 4-6 min. 2. As in pyramidal neurons, anoxia induced in interneurons outward currents, during and shortly after the anoxic episode. Both currents were, however, significantly larger in interneurons than in pyramidal neurons. 3. EPSCs are more rapidly depressed by anoxia in interneurons than in simultaneously recorded pyramidal cells. 4. In pyramidal neurons, polysynaptic IPSCs (pIPSCs) evoked by conventional distant stimulation (> 1 mm) are more sensitive to anoxia then EPSCs. In contrast, in interneurons, anoxia blocks with a similar latency EPSCs and polysynaptic IPSCs. 5. To determine whether this block of pIPSCs in pyramidal cells is due to a shift in driving force or a change in conductance, we examined the current (I/V) relationships. The block by anoxia of pIPSCs is due to a reduction of IPSC conductance (> 98%) that occlude other events including the shift of IPSCs reversal potential (ECl).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

scholarly journals High levels of 27-hydroxycholesterol results in synaptic plasticity alterations in the hippocampus

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raul Loera-Valencia ◽  
Erika Vazquez-Juarez ◽  
Alberto Muñoz ◽  
Gorka Gerenu ◽  
Marta Gómez-Galán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Memory Function ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Cholesterol Homeostasis ◽  
Stratum Radiatum ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Ca1 Region ◽  
Hippocampal Ca1 Region ◽  
Term Potentiation

AbstractAlterations in brain cholesterol homeostasis in midlife are correlated with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, global cholesterol-lowering therapies have yielded mixed results when it comes to slowing down or preventing cognitive decline in AD. We used the transgenic mouse model Cyp27Tg, with systemically high levels of 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OH) to examine long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal CA1 region, combined with dendritic spine reconstruction of CA1 pyramidal neurons to detect morphological and functional synaptic alterations induced by 27-OH high levels. Our results show that elevated 27-OH levels lead to enhanced LTP in the Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses. This increase is correlated with abnormally large dendritic spines in the stratum radiatum. Using immunohistochemistry for synaptopodin (actin-binding protein involved in the recruitment of the spine apparatus), we found a significantly higher density of synaptopodin-positive puncta in CA1 in Cyp27Tg mice. We hypothesize that high 27-OH levels alter synaptic potentiation and could lead to dysfunction of fine-tuned processing of information in hippocampal circuits resulting in cognitive impairment. We suggest that these alterations could be detrimental for synaptic function and cognition later in life, representing a potential mechanism by which hypercholesterolemia could lead to alterations in memory function in neurodegenerative diseases.

Differential Impact of Miniature Synaptic Potentials on the Soma and Dendrites of Pyramidal Neurons In Vivo

1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 1735-1739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Paré ◽  
Elen Lebel ◽  
Eric J. Lang
Keyword(s):  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Input Resistance ◽  
Differential Impact ◽  
Synaptic Potentials ◽  
Ampa Antagonists ◽  
Intact Brain ◽  
The Impact

Paré, Denis, Elen LeBel, and Eric J. Lang. Differential impact of miniature synaptic potentials on the somata and dendrites of pyramidal neurons in vivo. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 1735–1739, 1997. We studied the impact of transmitter release resistant to tetrodotoxin (TTX) in morphologically identified neocortical pyramidal neurons recorded intracellularly in barbiturate-anesthetized cats. It was observed that TTX-resistant release occurs in pyramidal neurons in vivo and at much higher frequencies than was previously reported in vitro. Further, in agreement with previous findings indicating that GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses are differentially distributed in the somata and dendrites of pyramidal cells, we found that most miniature synaptic potentials were sensitive to γ-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) or α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) antagonists in presumed somatic and dendritic impalements, respectively. Pharmacological blockage of spontaneous synaptic events produced large increases in input resistance that were more important in dendritic (≈50%) than somatic (≈10%) impalements. These findings imply that in the intact brain, pyramidal neurons are submitted to an intense spike-independent synaptic bombardment that decreases the space constant of the cells. These results should be taken into account when extrapolating in vitro findings to intact brains.

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