Evidence that serotonin mediates non-cholinergic neocortical low voltage fast activity, non-cholinergic hippocampal rhythmical slow activity and contributes to intelligent behavior

Membrane potential and impedance changes in hippocampal pyramidal cells during theta rhythm

Intracellular recordings were made from hippocampal pyramidal cells identified by their depths and their responses to commissural stimulation. Recordings were made during spontaneous bouts of hippocampal theta rhythm in urethane anesthetized rats. Membrane potentials (Vm) of pyramidal cells varied with the phase of the theta rhythm, that is, there was an "intracellular theta rhythm". The changes in Vm averaged about 2 mV peak to peak. Averaged intracellular theta waves showed that CA1 pyramids were most depolarized at the time of the positive peak of the extracellular theta rhythm recorded in (and superficial to) the CA1 pyramidal cell layer (CA1 theta). Peak depolarizations for CA3/4 pyramids were more broadly distributed, but occurred mainly in the interval just before the positive peak to just before the negative peak of the CA1 theta. Input impedance minima that were measurable at frequencies as high as 100 Hz occurred at about the same phases of the extracellular theta rhythm as the peak depolarizations (positive-going zero crossing to negative-going zero crossing of the CA1 theta). Such impedance changes imply conductance changes on the soma. The magnitude and localization of the conductance changes suggests that somatic IPSPs make major contributions to the intracellular theta rhythm. The phase relation between the intracellular and extracellular theta rhythms could be reversed by long duration current pulses that depolarized the cells slightly. This implies that either the intracellular theta-related IPSPs are depolarizing potential changes, or that they occur simultaneously with EPSPs. The phase of the intracellular theta rhythm was generally unaffected by long duration hyperpolarizing current pulses. Chloride leakage that reversed the evoked IPSPs usually had no effect on the phase of the intracellular theta rhythm, although in one case it appeared to cause its amplitude to increase.

Sleep-waking discharge of neurons in the posterior lateral hypothalamic area of cats

Damage to the posterior hypothalamic area produces a syndrome of EEG synchrony and behavioral somnolence. Cells of a recently described projection system within the posterior lateral hypothalamic area (PLHa) are potential candidates for mediating this area's influences on EEG and behavioral arousal. We examined PLHa neuronal activity during sleep and wakefulness in freely moving cats, identifying projection neurons by antidromic activation from stimulation sites in the external capsule, anterior cingulate bundle, or mesencephalic reticular formation. Orthodromic response evoked from these sites were also investigated. Twenty-two cells were found to send axons outside the PLHa; 9 with ascending projections and 13 with descending projections. Projection cells were found to discharge phasically in relation to waking movements. Most seemed to be related to complex head movements, although specific movement correlates were difficult to ascertain. Discharge rates during periods of waking immobility were similar to those occurring during slow-wave sleep. Rates during phasic REM sleep were generally similar to peak waking rates. Cells with ascending and descending projections displayed similar discharge profiles, although the former had somewhat higher rates in all conditions. Seventy-four cells were orthodromically driven from external capsule or anterior cingulate bundle. Responses evoked from these two sites were similar; an initial brief period of excitation, followed by a sustained (mean greater than 100 msec) episode of discharge suppression. Twenty-four cells exhibited orthodromic excitation from the mesencephalic reticular formation, but the duration of the subsequent discharge suppression was comparatively brief (mean less than 30 msec). With few exceptions, the discharge correlates of orthodromically driven cells were identical to those described above for identified projection neurons. These results do not support a role for neurons within the PLHa in the control of tonic EEG arousal. They are consistent with a possible involvement in either motor function, or phasic movement-related aspects of EEG activation.

Effect of cysteamine on levels of somatostatin-like immunoreactivity and catecholamines and on electroencephalogram in the rat brain

Cysteamine (CYS) is known to be a quite specific depletor of somatostatin in the rat brain. In the present study we investigated the effect of CYS (100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, subcutaneously) on levels of somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SLI) in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid, on catecholamines in the cortex, and on spectral cortical electroencephalogram (EEG) of rat. SLI was decreased in both the cortex and the striatum (p less than 0.05) of CYS-treated rats, but no change was seen in SLI of CSF. Cortical levels of dopamine, noradrenaline and homovanillic acid were decreased (p less than 0.05) following administration of either dose of CYS. In EEG, during mobility both the frontal and occipital peak (Fp) and mean (Fm) frequencies were slowed (p less than 0.05). Frontally, the amplitude of the frequency bands 1.5-3Hz and 3-5Hz was increased (p less than 0.05). During immobility the Fp and Fm were also slowed. In frequency bands of 3-5Hz, 5-10Hz and 10-20Hz the amplitude was decreased (p less than 0.05), indicating that, in addition to theta frequency, the low voltage fast activity is also affected by CYS. According to our results, both the cortical intrinsic neurons containing somatostatin and also the ascending catecholaminergic systems are affected after the single administration of CYS concomittantly with, but not necessarily related to, changes in different frequency bands in EEG.

Serotonin mediates suppression of focal epileptiform activity induced by noxious stimulation

Noxious stimulation can suppress epileptic seizures in humans and epileptiform activity in laboratory animals. Using as a model system the focal epileptiform activity (FEA) induced by the pneumophoresis of penicillin, the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) in suppression of this activity by noxious stimulation was investigated. Drugs known to depress dorsal raphe unit activity, (+/-)-8-hydroxydipropylaminotetralin (DPAT), imipramine, and fluoxetine prevented suppression of FEA induced by noxious stimulation. Desimipramine, which depresses locus ceruleus but not dorsal raphe unit activity, was ineffective in blocking the suppression. Quipazine, an agonist at 5-HT receptors, in part restored the suppression that had been blocked by DPAT or imipramine. Several serotonin antagonists effective at 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors blocked suppression, but an unequivocal determination of the serotonin receptor subtype mediating suppression could not be made. We conclude that 5-HT mediates suppression of FEA induced by noxious stimulation.

Brain cholinergic enzymes and cortical EEG activity in young and old rats

1. Cholinergic enzymes (ChAT, AChE) in different areas of the brain and cortical electroencephalography (EEG) activity were investigated in young and old rats. 2. In old rats, ChAT activity was low in the striatum, but high in the amygdala. Compared to young rats, ChAT activity in old rats was unchanged in the frontal, parietal/occipital and entorhinal cortex as well as in the hypothalamus, midbrain, hippocampus and brain stem. 3. AChE activity in old rats was lower than in young animals in the parietal/occipital cortex, hippocampus, striatum and brainstem. In other areas of the brain AChE activity was unchanged. 4. In old rats the peak frequency (Fp) of cortical EEG activity (mobility-related) was significantly lower than in young animals, both frontally and occipitally. The power of 5-10 Hz frequency band was markedly lower than in young rats. During immobility, the power of the 1.5-3 Hz and 3-5 Hz bands was lower in the frontal cortex of old rats. The power of 3-5 Hz, 5-10 Hz and 10-20 Hz bands was lower in the occipital cortex of old rats. In all of the old rats, but not in any of the young ones, symmetric high voltage activity was observed in the frontal pole of the cortex. 5. These results suggest that the age-related decrease of higher frequencies of cortical EEG activity may be related to the decrease of AChE activity in the parietal/occipital cortex. This decrease in AChE may reflect degeneration of the cholinergic synapses.

The cholinergic nucleus basalis: a key structure in neocortical arousal

Single unit studies indicate that increased activity in the cholinergic nucleus basalis (NB) correlates with behavioral activation and neocortical desynchronization. Lesions of the NB result in neocortical slow delta waves, similar to the action of antimuscarinic drugs, and the lesion releases the oscillation of GABAergic neurons in the reticular nucleus of the thalamus, resulting in high voltage neocortical spindles. Extensive damage of the thalamus does not produce slowing of neocortical activity but it abolishes neocortical spindles. We suggest that the NB plays a key role in neocortical activation by a) blocking the afterhyperpolarizations and accommodation in neocortical pyramidal neurons and b) suppressing the rhythm generation in the reticular nucleus-thalamocortical circuitry. We further suggest that the NB system may serve as a structural basis for the concept of the generalized activation described by Moruzzi and Magoun (1949).

Hippocampal interictal spikes induced by kindling: relations to behavior and EEG

Hippocampal spontaneous interictal spikes (SISs) were recorded during the course of daily tetanization (kindling) of afferent fibers to the hippocampal CA1 region. SISs were detected after 3-10 tetanizations. A clear variation of SIS rate with behavior was observed. SIS rate was high during slow-wave sleep (SWS), waking immobility, face-washing and chewing and low during rapid-eye-movement sleep (REMS), walking and rearing. Scopolamine hydrochloride (2.5-5 mg/kg i.p.) increased the SIS rate during walking. Despite the negative correlation of SIS occurrence with the theta rhythm in normal rats, abolishing the theta rhythm by medial septal lesions did not affect the suppression of SISs during REMS as compared to SWS. When interictal or postictal spikes were seen together with the theta rhythm, the spikes tended to occur at a phase of about 240 degrees after the positive peak of the alvear surface rhythm.

Electric activity in the neocortex of freely moving young and aged rats

Electroencephalographic activity of the neocortex was evaluated in young (5-7 months) and aged (26-28 months) rats. All animals in the aged group showed behavioral impairment in a spatial task (water maze). A neocortical electroencephalogram was derived simultaneously from 16 different neocortical locations and was subjected to spectral analysis. The frequency of occurrence and duration of high-voltage spindles was determined in two sessions, each involving a total of 30 min alert immobility. Changes in spectral characteristics and high-voltage spindles in response to scopolamine administration were also evaluated. The power of high-frequency activity (8-20 Hz) was significantly reduced in the aged subjects. This was greatest in the temporo-occipital regions, while no significant changes were seen in the mediofrontal region. Scopolamine resulted in a large power increase in all frequency bands, but the increase in the higher-frequency range (8-20 Hz) was significantly less in the aged group. The incidence of high-voltage spindles was 6 times higher and their total duration was 9 times longer in aged rats, with virtually no overlap with the young group. In young rats, scopolamine increased the incidence and total duration of high-voltage spindles, while it decreased both parameters in the aged subjects. Cholinergic neurons in the nucleus basalis appeared shrunken in the aged animals. These findings demonstrate that reliable electroencephalographic changes are present in the neocortex of the aged rat, and that some of the physiological alterations may be due to the pathological changes in the cholinergic nucleus basalis.

Evidence that activation of in vitro hippocampal theta rhythm only involves muscarinic receptors

The present study was conducted for two purposes: the first was to evaluate whether activation of nicotinic receptors in the hippocampal formation in vitro (slice) preparation was capable of producing type 2 (atropine-sensitive) theta rhythm. The cholinergic nature and involvement of muscarinic receptors in this type of theta has been previously well documented. The second purpose was to determine whether perfusion of a number of (other) putative neurotransmitters shown to be present in the hippocampal formation could elicit type 1 (atropine-resistant) theta in the slice preparation. Further experiments were conducted to determine if these agents interacted in any manner with cholinergically-induced type 2 theta. Electroencephalic (EEG) theta activity was not induced by nicotine, providing evidence for an exclusive muscarinic receptor involvement in this cholinergically-induced type 2 theta. In addition, theta activity was not elicited by the application of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, norepinephrine, dopamine or serotonin. The application of any of these agents did not significantly alter the production of cholinergically-induced theta. These results suggest that type 1 theta originates in regions extrinsic to the hippocampus, or is the result of the interaction of several neurotransmitters on different receptors.

Combined cholinergic and serotonergic denervation of the forebrain produces severe deficits in a spatial learning task in the rat

The purpose of the present experiments was to study the effects of a combined cholinergic and serotonergic denervation of the rat forebrain on spatial learning using the Morris water maze task. Experiment 1 compared the acute effects of a radiofrequency lesion of the septum, an intraventricular 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) lesion, and a combined septal plus 5,7-DHT lesion. Although the 5,7-DHT lesion alone did not produce any significant deficits in the water maze task, the lesion greatly potentiated the learning impairments produced by the septal lesion. Thus, the rats with both lesions combined showed severe difficulties in finding the platform and they did not develop any place navigational search strategy. This effect was not dependent on any effect on swimming ability or locomotor activity. The long-term effects of the combined septal and 5,7-DHT lesion was investigated in experiment 2, where the rats were tested in the water maze both 5 and 24-25 weeks after surgery. In this experiment, the rats showed the same severe deficits in spatial learning in both tests, showing that the impairments remain for long periods and after extended training. The results show that a combination of a cholinergic and a serotonergic denervation of the rat forebrain produces pronounced impairments in spatial learning in the Morris water maze task, and that this effect is long-lasting. This indicates that the recently proposed serotonergic deficit in patients with Alzheimer's disease may contribute importantly to the cognitive disabilities in these patients.

Neocortical and hippocampal electrical activity following decapitation in the rat

It has been debated whether or not decapitation of conscious animals is a humane procedure. This problem may be clarified on the basis of recent research that has indicated that neocortical low voltage fast activity (LVFA) and hippocampal rhythmical slow activity (RSA) can result from activity in either the cholinergic corticipetal projections from the basal forebrain or the serotonergic corticipetal projections from the brainstem. These inputs appear to produce, respectively, atropine-sensitive LVFA and RSA and atropine-resistant LVFA and RSA. In waking animals, atropine-resistant LVFA and RSA occur only in close correlation with motor activities such as spontaneous changes in posture, walking or struggling (Type 1 behavior). Painful stimuli readily elicit both Type 1 behavior and LVFA and RSA in atropine-treated rats. Atropine-sensitive LVFA and RSA may occur in anesthetized as well as in conscious animals, but atropine-resistant LVFA and RSA are generally absent during anesthesia. In the experiments reported here, rats were decapitated: (1) in the normal waking state; (2) after pretreatment with atropine or scopolamine; or (3) following induction of anesthesia with ethyl ether. Clear hippocampal RSA and neocortical LVFA were observed in conditions 1 and 3 but not in condition 2. It is concluded: (A) that atropine-sensitive LVFA and RSA are not good indices of conscious perception of pain since these waveforms occur during anesthesia as well as in the waking state; and (B) that the cerebral reaction to decapitation does not resemble the usual cerebral reaction to painful stimuli. This is consistent with the view that decapitation is not inhumane.

The effect of p-chlorophenylalanine on cerebral metabolism and biogenic amine content of traumatized brain

It was shown previously that focal cortical freezing lesions in rats cause widespread decrease in local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) in cortical areas of the lesioned hemisphere. This was interpreted as reflecting a depression of cortical activity. It was then demonstrated that cortical serotonin (5-HT) metabolism was increased throughout the lesioned hemisphere of a focally injured brain. To find out if the changes in the serotonergic system are of functional importance and mediate the observed changes in LCGU, the effects of the inhibition of 5-HT synthesis with p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) on cerebral metabolism and biogenic amine content in injured brain were studied. PCPA in doses up to 300 mg/kg had little, if any, effect on LCGU in intact brain and in doses up to 100 mg/kg did not modify the depressed LCGU in injured brain. In doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg, PCPA selectively increased cortical glucose utilization in the lesioned hemisphere where it was depressed following injury. PCPA decreased 5-HT levels in the cortical and raphe areas of both intact and injured brain in a dose-dependent manner. However, at doses of PCPA ineffective on LCGU (50 and 100 mg/kg), traumatization still resulted in increased 5-HT metabolism. Doses of PCPA that ameliorated the depression of LCGU in injured brain completely prevented increases in both 5-HT and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid seen following traumatization in untreated animals. These results provide evidence that decreased LCGU in lesioned brain is due to an activation of the serotonergic system by traumatization. The data are in agreement with the postulated inhibitory role of serotonin in the cortex and its involvement in functional alterations associated with injury. They suggest that blockage of this neurotransmitter system may have a potential in the development of novel therapeutic approaches to brain injury.

Mechanisms of action of neural grafts in the limbic system

This review summarizes the range of possible mechanisms of action of neuronal grafts in the central nervous system. It aims to illustrate the capacity and limitations of the transplanted tissue in the promotion of neurological recovery after experimental surgical insults.

Thalamic control of neocortical activation: a critical re-evaluation

Bilateral intrathalamic injection of kainic acid in rats produces widespread destruction of thalamic neurons but does not abolish neocortical activation (generation of low voltage fast activity, LVFA). On the other hand, a combination of reserpine and scopolamine abolishes all LVFA but does not abolish thalamocortical transmission as assessed by recruiting responses, augmenting responses, and sensory evoked neocortical potentials. These facts show that thalamocortical transmission is neither necessary nor sufficient to produce neocortical activation. The classical view of neocortical activation as dependent on a reticulothalamocortical pathway seems to be incorrect. It appears, instead, that neocortical activation is dependent jointly on a cholinergic input from the basal forebrain and a serotonergic input from the brainstem.

Brainstem afferents to the magnocellular basal forebrain studied by axonal transport, immunohistochemistry, and electrophysiology in the rat

Brainstem afferents to the magnocellular basal forebrain were studied by using tract tracing, immunohistochemistry and extracellular recordings in the rat. WGA-HRP injections into the horizontal limb of the diagonal band (HDB) and the magnocellular preoptic area (MgPA) retrogradely labelled many neurons in the pedunculopontine and laterodorsal tegmental nuclei, dorsal raphe nucleus, and ventral tegmental area. Areas with moderate numbers of retrogradely labelled neurons included the median raphe nucleus, and area lateral to the medial longitudinal fasciculus in the pons, the locus ceruleus, and the medial parabrachial nucleus. A few labelled neurons were seen in the substantia nigra pars compacta, mesencephalic and pontine reticular formation, a midline area in the pontine central gray, lateral parabrachial nucleus, raphe magnus, prepositus hypoglossal nucleus, nucleus of the solitary tract, and ventrolateral medulla. A similar but not identical distribution of labelled neurons was seen following WGA-HRP injections into the nucleus basalis magnocellularis. The possible neurotransmitter content of some of these afferents to the HDB/MgPA was examined by combining retrograde Fluoro-Gold labelling and immunofluorescence. In the mesopontine tegmentum, many retrogradely labelled neurons were immunoreactive for choline acetyltransferase. In the dorsal raphe nucleus, some retrogradely labelled neurons were positive for serotonin and some for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH); however, the majority of retrogradely labelled neurons in this region were not immunoreactive for either marker. The ventral tegmental area, substantia nigra pars compacta, and locus ceruleus contained retrogradely labelled neurons which were also immunoreactive for TH. Of the retrogradely labelled neurons occasionally observed in the nucleus of the solitary tract, prepositus hypoglossal nucleus, and ventrolateral medulla, some were immunoreactive for either TH or phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase. To characterize functionally some of these brainstem afferents, extracellular recordings were made from antidromically identified cortically projecting neurons, mostly located in the HDB and MgPA. In agreement with most previous studies, about half (48%) of these neurons were spontaneously active. Electrical stimulation in the vicinity of the pedunculopontine tegmental and dorsal raphe nuclei elicited either excitatory or inhibitory responses in 21% (13/62) of the cortically projecting neurons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Hippocampal rhythmical slow activity following ibotenic acid lesions of the septal region. II. Changes in hippocampal activity during sleep

Ibotenic acid injections in the septal nuclei of the forebrain produced severe cell loss in the dorsal lateral septal nucleus and the septohippocampal nucleus. Chronic recording of hippocampal and neocortical slow-wave activity and muscle activity showed that the ibotenic acid treatment had selectively abolished the atropine-sensitive (presumably cholinergic) form of hippocampal rhythmical slow activity (RSA) normally seen during the tonic component of active sleep. Large-amplitude irregular activity (LIA), that is normally associated with waking immobility and quiet sleep, and the atropine-resistant (probably serotonergic) RSA that normally accompanies phasic muscular activity during active sleep, were also somewhat depressed. However, clear RSA was seen during phasic muscular activity in active sleep and LIA was clearly seen during quiet sleep in all rats. Neocortical activity was not affected by the ibotenic acid treatment. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that, both in the sleeping and the waking state, RSA can be produced by either of two distinctive inputs to the hippocampus. No support was found for the hypothesis that RSA during active sleep has a different basis than RSA in the waking state.

Hippocampal rhythmical slow activity following ibotenic acid lesions of the septal region. I. Relations to behavior and effects of atropine and urethane

The effects of intraseptal injections of various concentrations of ibotenic acid on hippocampal electrical activity were studied in freely moving and urethane-anesthetized rats. Ibotenic acid selectively abolished the atropine-sensitive form of hippocampal rhythmical slow activity (RSA) normally seen during urethane anesthesia. Large amplitude irregular activity (LIA) and RSA in the waking state were somewhat depressed as well. Despite this, clear RSA persisted in the waking state in association with locomotion or struggling (Type 1 behavior). As in normal rats, such RSA was resistant to systemic administration of atropine. Analysis of brain sections stained with gallocyanin or for acetylcholinesterase showed that ibotenic acid produced cell loss in the dorsal lateral septal nucleus and the septohippocampal nucleus. Cells in the medial septal and diagonal band nuclei were resistant to ibotenic acid. The results suggest that intrinsic septal circuitry is critically involved in the generation of the atropine-sensitive (presumably cholinergic) form of RSA. The mechanisms by which LIA and the two forms of RSA are generated in the hippocampus is discussed.

Hippocampal electrical activity in the diabetes insipidus (Brattleboro) rat

Theta rhythm was recorded from the hippocampus in normal male and female rats, and from female rats with homozygous alleles (HODI) and heterozygous alleles of diabetes insipidus (HEDI). Second-by-second spectral analysis of the complete period of rapid eye-movement sleep indicated that HODI and HEDI rats had the same theta frequency range as normals, but the mean theta frequency (6.4 cycles c/s) was lower than normal (6.8 c/s), mainly in having a smaller proportion of frequencies greater than or equal to 7.8 c/s. Pharmacological studies in the waking rat demonstrated a theta rhythm in the HODI and normal rats after atropine or after urethane and eserine, indicating the presence of both atropine-sensitive and atropine-resistant pathways. However, after eserine, a huge increase in hippocampal fast waves (30 to 55 c/s) accompanying struggling (as compared with immobility) was found in the HODI rat, which was double that in the normal rat. An enhanced cholinergic input or response at the septal or hippocampal level may account for the large fast wave as well as the lower mean theta frequency in the HODI rat.

Altered modulatory actions of serotonin on dentate granule cells of aged rats

The effects of serotonin (5-HT) on dentate granule (DG) neurons in hippocampal slices taken from young mature (6-8 months) and old (25-29 months) rats were compared. Intracellular measurements of membrane potential, cell input resistance and slow postspike afterhyperpolarization did not differ significantly between young and old neurons. Neurons recorded in slices taken from old animals responded with less hyperpolarization to increasing doses of the drug, and their responses were significantly reduced after repeated applications of 5-HT. Serotonin-mediated reduction of the slow afterhyperpolarization in young DG neurons was less prominent or totally absent in the old cells. It is concluded that serotonergic postsynaptic actions are impaired in old age.

Transcallosal evoked potentials in relation to behavior in the rat: effects of atropine, p-chlorophenylalanine, reserpine, scopolamine and trifluoperazine

Single pulse electrical stimulation of the sensorimotor cortex in waking rats produced an evoked response in the contralateral sensorimotor cortex. The slow wave response consisted of: (1) an early component that was negative at the pial surface and in layer V, and was associated with multiunit discharge; and (2) a late component that was mainly negative at the surface, positive in layer V, and was associated with multiunit suppression. Previous research suggests that the early component represents summed excitatory postsynaptic potentials; the late component summed inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. Both components could be elicited by direct stimulation of the corpus callosum and both were abolished by midline callosal section. The amplitude and duration of the late component varied with concurrent motor activity in a striking manner. It was large during waking immobility and also during face-washing, licking the paws, chewing food and drinking water, but was much reduced or absent during head movements, walking and changes in posture. Only minor changes were associated with the transition from waking immobility to slow wave sleep. A series of pharmacological experiments indicated that the behavior-related variation in the late component of the transcallosal evoked response was dependent on both cholinergic and serotonergic transmission.

Suppression of serotonin-dependent cerebral activation: a possible mechanism of action of some psychotomimetic drugs

Rats treated with centrally acting anti-muscarinic (atropinic) drugs display large amplitude irregular slow waves in both the neocortex and hippocampus during behavioral immobility and some stereotyped automatic behaviors (Type 2 behavior). However, rhythmical slow activity (RSA) in the hippocampus and low voltage fast activity (LVFA) in the neocortex occur in close correlation with spontaneous changes in posture, head movement, walking, rearing, swimming or struggling when held (Type 1 behavior). Previous research has indicated that such atropine-resistant RSA and LVFA is dependent on brain serotonin. In the experiments reported here, atropinized rats were given a test drug or a control injection while hippocampal and neocortical activity and behavior were recorded. Several psychotomimetic drugs (phencyclidine; (d,l)-N-allyl-N-normetazocine (SKF-10,047); d,l-cyclazocine; and N-ethyl-1-phenyl-cyclohexylamine) strongly suppressed atropine-resistant RSA and LVFA in doses that were compatible with active behavior. Ketamine had a weak effect but a variety of other drugs were inactive in this test. It is suggested that the psychotomimetic effect of phencyclidine and the psychotomimetic opioids is due, at least in part, to suppression of serotonin-dependent activation of the cerebral cortex.

Electrical activity of the cingulate cortex. II. Cholinergic modulation

The role of the cholinergic innervation in the modulation of cingulate electrical activity was studied by means of pharmacological manipulations and brain lesions. In the normal rat, an irregular slow activity (ISA) accompanied with EEG-spikes was recorded in the cingulate cortex during immobility as compared to walking. Atropine sulfate, but not atropine methyl nitrate, increased ISA and the frequency of cingulate EEG-spikes. Pilocarpine suppressed ISA and EEG-spikes during immobility, and induced a slow (4-7 Hz) theta rhythm. Unilateral or bilateral lesions of the substantia innominata and ventral globus pallidus area using kainic acid did not significantly change the cingulate EEG or its relation to behavior. Large electrolytic lesions of the medial septal nuclei and vertical limbs of the diagonal band generally decreased or abolished all theta activity in the cingulate cortex and the hippocampus. However, in 5 rats the cingulate theta rhythm increased while the hippocampal theta disappeared after a medial septal lesion. The large, postlesion cingulate theta, accompanied by sharp EEG-spikes during its negative phase, is an unequivocal demonstration of the existence of a theta rhythm in the cingulate cortex, independent of the hippocampal rhythm. Cholinergic afferents from the medial septum and diagonal band nuclei are inferred to be responsible for the behavioral suppression of cingulate EEG-spikes and ISA, and partially for the generation of a local cingulate theta rhythm. However, an atropine-resistant pathway and a theta-suppressing pathway, possibly coming from the medial septum or the hippocampus, may also be important in cingulate theta generation.

Hippocampal electrical activity in relation to behavior following ethylcholine aziridinium ion (AF64A) treatment

The effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of ethylcholine aziridinium ion (AF64A; 3 nmol/3 microliters/side) on the pattern of hippocampal electrical activity were studied in freely moving and urethane anesthetized rats. AF64A treated rats showed a significantly smaller increase in 6-12 Hz hippocampal rhythmical slow activity (RSA) with struggling in the no drug condition in comparison to the vehicle injected rats. However, neither AF64A treatment nor a control injection abolished the presumed cholinergic form of RSA that is present during urethane anesthesia. Systemic injection of atropine in waking rats did not significantly alter RSA in either the AF64A or vehicle injected rats. Analysis of histological brain sections revealed extensive damage to the fimbria-fornix, CA3 of the hippocampus, corpus callosum, neocortex and striatum. Acetylcholinesterase staining of the remaining hippocampus appeared normal in the AF64a treated rats. The data indicate that the depletion of cholinergic markers in the hippocampus following ICV administration of AF64A is not sufficient to disrupt the cholinergic form of RSA. Further, the question is discussed as to whether AF64A produces its cholinoselective effects via a specific pharmacological action or through a nonspecific destruction of the fimbria-fornix.

Near-total loss of 'learning' and 'memory' as a result of combined cholinergic and serotonergic blockade in the rat

Previous work has indicated that activation of the cerebral cortex (i.e. elicitation of low-voltage fast activity in the neocortex and rhythmical slow activity in the hippocampus) is dependent on corticipetal cholinergic and serotonergic projections. Treatment with a combination of p-chlorophenylalanine (an inhibitor of the synthesis of serotonin) plus atropine or scopolamine (muscarinic cholinergic antagonists) can suppress all cerebral activation. In this paper, the behavioral effects of single or combined blockade of cholinergic and serotonergic neurotransmission were studied using a shock avoidance test, an open field test, a swim-to-platform test, a hypothalamic self-stimulation test and a test of grooming behavior. The results show that blockade of cerebral activation produces a condition analogous to global dementia but does not produce sleep or coma. The hypothesis that cholinergic and serotonergic neurotransmission provides a basis for learning and memory is discussed critically.

Joint cholinergic-serotonergic control of neocortical and hippocampal electrical activity in relation to behavior: effects of scopolamine, ditran, trifluoperazine and amphetamine

Previous research has indicated that low voltage fast activity (LVFA) in the neocortex and rhythmical slow activity (RSA) in the hippocampus can result from activity in either (or both) the cholinergic corticipetal projections from the basal forebrain and the serotonergic corticipetal projections from the brainstem raphe. These inputs appear to give rise, respectively, to atropine-sensitive LVFA and RSA and atropine-resistant LVFA and RSA. The atropine-sensitive and atropine-resistant waveforms have been shown to have distinctive behavioral correlates. The present experiments extend these findings by providing dose-response data on the effects of scopolamine and Ditran on neocortical activity in relation to behavior in the rat. In addition, new evidence is presented which indicates that neuroleptic drugs reduce activity in the atropine-resistant (presumably serotonergic) inputs to the hippocampus and neocortex by an indirect action involving dopamine receptors. A single dose of d-amphetamine or apomorphine appears to increase activity in the same pathway by a similar indirect action. These findings may be relevant to the psychiatric effects of neuroleptic drugs.