Cell-Type–Specific Modulation of Intrinsic Firing Properties and Subthreshold Membrane Oscillations by the M(Kv7)-Current in Neurons of the Entorhinal Cortex

2007 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 2779-2794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motoharu Yoshida ◽  
Angel Alonso
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Entorhinal Cortex ◽  
Intrinsic Excitability ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Potential Oscillations ◽  
Principal Cells ◽  
M Current ◽  
Current Block ◽  
Layer V ◽  
Membrane Potential Oscillations

The M-current (current through Kv7 channels) is a low-threshold noninactivating potassium current that is suppressed by muscarinic agonists. Recent studies have shown its role in spike burst generation and intrinsic subthreshold theta resonance, both of which are important for memory function. However, little is known about its role in principal cells of the entorhinal cortex (EC). In this study, using whole cell patch recording techniques in a rat EC slice preparation, we have examined the effects of the M-current blockers linopirdine and XE991 on the membrane dynamics of principal cells in the EC. When the M-current was blocked, layer II nonstellate cells (non-SCs) and layer III cells switched from tonic discharge to intermittent firing mode, during which layer II non-SCs showed high-frequency short-duration spike bursts due to increased fast spike afterdepolarization (ADP). When three spikes were elicited at 50 Hz, these two types of cells reacted with a slow ADP that drove delayed firing. In contrast, layer II stellate cells (SCs) and layer V cells never displayed intermittent firing, bursting behavior, or delayed firing. Under the M-current block, intrinsic excitability increased significantly in layer III and layer V cells but not in layer II SCs and non-SCs. The M-current block also had contrasting effects on the subthreshold excitability, greatly suppressing the subthreshold membrane potential oscillations in layer V cells but not in layer II SCs. Modulation of the M-current thus shifts the firing behavior, intrinsic excitability, and subthreshold membrane potential oscillations of EC principal cells in a cell-type–dependent manner.

Ionic mechanisms for the subthreshold oscillations and differential electroresponsiveness of medial entorhinal cortex layer II neurons

1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 144-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Klink ◽  
A. Alonso
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Entorhinal Cortex ◽  
Inward Rectification ◽  
Voltage Level ◽  
Medial Entorhinal Cortex ◽  
Potential Oscillations ◽  
Subthreshold Oscillations ◽  
Outward Rectification ◽  
Ionic Mechanisms ◽  
Membrane Potential Oscillations

1. Layer II of the medial entorhinal cortex is composed of two electrophysiologically and morphologically distinct types of projection neurons: stellate cells (SCs), which are distinguished by rhythmic subthreshold oscillatory activity, and non-SCs. The ionic mechanisms underlying their differential electroresponsiveness, particularly in the subthreshold range of membrane potentials, were investigated in an "in vitro" slice preparation. 2. In both SCs and non-SCs, the apparent membrane input resistance was markedly voltage dependent, respectively decreasing or increasing at hyperpolarized or subthreshold depolarized potential levels. Thus the neurons displayed inward rectification in the hyperpolarizing and depolarizing range. 3. In the depolarizing range, inward rectification was blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 microM) in both types of neurons and thus shown to depend on the presence of a persistent low-threshold Na+ conductance (gNap). However, in the presence of TTX, pronounced outward rectification became manifest in the subthreshold depolarizing range of membrane potentials (positive to -60 mV) in the SCs but not in the non-SCs. 4. The rhythmic subthreshold membrane potential oscillations that were present only in the SCs were abolished by TTX and not by Ca2+ conductance block with Cd2+ or Co2+. Subthreshold oscillations thus rely on the activation of voltage-gated Na+, and not Ca2+, conductances. The Ca2+ conductance block also had no effect on the subthreshold outward rectification. 5. Prominent time-dependent inward rectification in the hyperpolarizing range in the SCs persisted after Na(+)- and Ca2+ conductance block. This rectification was not affected by Ba2+ (1 mM), but was blocked by Cs+ (1-4 mM). Therefore, it is most probably generated by a hyperpolarization-activated cationic current (Q-like current). However, the Q-like current appears to play no major role in the generation of subthreshold rhythmic membrane potential oscillations, because these persisted in the presence of Cs+. 6. On the other hand, in the SCs, the fast, sustained, outward rectification that strongly developed (after Na+ conductance block) at the oscillatory voltage level was not affected by Cs+ but was blocked by Ba2+ (1 mM). Barium was also effective in blocking the subthreshold membrane potential oscillations. 7. In the non-SCs, which do not generate subthreshold rhythmic membrane potential oscillations or manifest subthreshold outward rectification in TTX, Ca2+ conductance block abolished spike repolarization and caused the development of long-lasting Na(+)-dependent plateau potentials at a high suprathreshold voltage level. At this level, where prominent delayed rectification is present, the Na+ plateaus sustained rhythmic membrane potential oscillations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Subthreshold membrane potential oscillations in neurons of deep layers of the entorhinal cortex

Neuroscience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 999-1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Schmitz ◽  
T. Gloveli ◽  
J. Behr ◽  
T. Dugladze ◽  
U. Heinemann
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Entorhinal Cortex ◽  
Potential Oscillations ◽  
Deep Layers ◽  
Membrane Potential Oscillations

scholarly journals Linking Cellular Mechanisms to Behavior: Entorhinal Persistent Spiking and Membrane Potential Oscillations May Underlie Path Integration, Grid Cell Firing, and Episodic Memory

2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael E. Hasselmo ◽  
Mark P. Brandon
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Entorhinal Cortex ◽  
Path Integration ◽  
Grid Cell ◽  
Physiological Data ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Potential Oscillations ◽  
Cell Firing ◽  
Membrane Potential Oscillations

The entorhinal cortex plays an important role in spatial memory and episodic memory functions. These functions may result from cellular mechanisms for integration of the afferent input to entorhinal cortex. This article reviews physiological data on persistent spiking and membrane potential oscillations in entorhinal cortex then presents models showing how both these cellular mechanisms could contribute to properties observed during unit recording, including grid cell firing, and how they could underlie behavioural functions including path integration. The interaction of oscillations and persistent firing could contribute to encoding and retrieval of trajectories through space and time as a mechanism relevant to episodic memory.

Modelling the interrelations between calcium oscillations and ER membrane potential oscillations

1997 ◽  
Vol 63 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 221-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Marhl ◽  
Stefan Schuster ◽  
Milan Brumen ◽  
Reinhart Heinrich
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Calcium Oscillations ◽  
Potential Oscillations ◽  
Membrane Potential Oscillations ◽  
Er Membrane

Intrinsic Theta-Frequency Membrane Potential Oscillations in Hippocampal CA1 Interneurons of Stratum Lacunosum-Moleculare

1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 1296-1307 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Andrew Chapman ◽  
Jean-Claude Lacaille
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Stratum Radiatum ◽  
Potential Oscillations ◽  
Spike Threshold ◽  
Hippocampal Ca1 ◽  
Theta Frequency ◽  
Stratum Lacunosum Moleculare ◽  
Membrane Potential Oscillations

Intrinsic theta-frequency membrane potential oscillations in hippocampal CA1 interneurons of stratum lacunosum-moleculare. The ionic conductances underlying membrane potential oscillations of hippocampal CA1 interneurons located near the border between stratum lacunosum-moleculare and stratum radiatum (LM) were investigated using whole cell current-clamp recordings in rat hippocampal slices. At 22°C, when LM cells were depolarized near spike threshold by current injection, 91% of cells displayed 2–5 Hz oscillations in membrane potential, which caused rhythmic firing. At 32°C, mean oscillation frequency increased to 7.1 Hz. Oscillations were voltage dependent and were eliminated by hyperpolarizing cells 6–10 mV below spike threshold. Blockade of ionotropic glutamate and GABA synaptic transmission did not affect oscillations, indicating that they were not synaptically driven. Oscillations were eliminated by tetrodotoxin, suggesting that Na+ currents generate the depolarizing phase of oscillations. Oscillations were not affected by blocking Ca2+ currents with Cd2+ or Ca2+-free ACSF or by blocking the hyperpolarization-activated current ( I h) with Cs+. Both Ba2+ and a low concentration of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) reduced oscillations but TEA did not. Theta-frequency oscillations were much less common in interneurons located in stratum oriens. Intrinsic membrane potential oscillations in LM cells of the CA1 region thus involve an interplay between inward Na+ currents and outward K+ currents sensitive to Ba2+ and 4-AP. These oscillations may participate in rhythmic inhibition and synchronization of pyramidal neurons during theta activity in vivo.

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