Noradrenaline blocks accommodation of pyramidal cell discharge in the hippocampus

Activation of locus coeruleus enhances the responses of olfactory bulb mitral cells to weak olfactory nerve input

The main olfactory bulb (MOB) receives a dense projection from the pontine nucleus locus coeruleus (LC), the largest collection of norepinephrine (NE)-containing cells in the brain. LC is the sole source of NE innervation of MOB. Previous studies of the actions of exogenously applied NE on mitral cells, the principal output neurons of MOB, are contradictory. The effect of synaptically released NE on mitral cell activity is not known, nor is the influence of NE on responses of mitral cells to olfactory nerve inputs. The goal of the present study was to assess the influence of LC activation on spontaneous and olfactory nerve-evoked activity of mitral cells. In methoxyflurane-anesthetized rats, intracoerulear microinfusions of acetyicholine (ACh) (200 mM; 90-120 nl) evoked a four- to fivefold increase in LC neuronal discharge, and a transient EEG desynchronization and decrease in mitral cell discharge. LC activation increased excitatory responses of mitral cells evoked by weak (i.e., perithreshold) nasal epithelium shocks (1.0 Hz) in 17/18 cells (mean Increase = 67%). The discharge rate of mitral cells at the time that epithelium-evoked responses were increased did not differ significantly from pre-LC activation baseline values. Thus, changes in mitral baseline activity do not account for the increased response to epithelium stimulation. These findings suggest that increased activity in LC-NE projections to MOB may enhance detection of relatively weak odors.

Effects of high helium pressure on intracellular and field potential responses in the CA1 region of the in vitro rat hippocampus

We have investigated the effects of high helium pressure (up to 13.3 MPa) on the electrophysiological responses of CA1 neurons in rat hippocampal slices using a purpose built pressure chamber, designed to facilitate field potential and intracellular recording. In field potential experiments, near threshold orthodromic responses were depressed by modest pressure (0.4 MPa). At higher stimulus intensities, orthodromic and antidromic population spike amplitudes were not increased at 5 MPa but were significantly enhanced at 10 MPa, and multiple population spikes were observed in some experiments. Orthodromic paired pulse potentiation was not affected by pressure up to 10 MPa. In intracellular experiments there were no significant differences between mean values obtained for resting membrane potential and input resistance at atmospheric pressure and pressures of up to 10 MPa. However, spontaneous depolarizing membrane potential excursions, decreased slow after-hyperpolarization responses and reduced accommodation properties were observed at pressure (5-10 MPa). One possibility is that the SK and M potassium channel systems may be more sensitive to high pressure than other membrane ion channels. These effects may contribute towards the high pressure neurological syndrome observed in vivo.

cAMP-dependent facilitation of glutamate release by beta-adrenergic receptors in cerebrocortical nerve terminals

We have investigated the presence of a cAMP-protein kinase A-dependent pathway in cerebrocortical nerve terminals and its role in the modulation of glutamate release. The activation of adenylyl cyclase with forskolin enhances intrasynaptosomal cAMP and induces Ca2+-dependent glutamate release. The membrane permeant analogue dibutyryl cAMP mimics this facilitatory effect, whereas the inactive compound 1,9-dideoxyforskolin is without effect. This cAMP-induced facilitation is consistent with the induction of spontaneous action potentials that are abolished by the Na+ channel blocker tetrodotoxin and by reducing nerve terminal excitability with arachidonic acid. We have also demonstrated that a beta-adrenergic receptor is linked to this pathway because isoproterenol increases cAMP levels and glutamate release, and both actions are antagonized by the receptor antagonist propanolol and the protein kinase A inhibitors H89 and 8-chloroadenosine 3',5'-monophosphorothioate ((Rp)-isomer). The finding that the increase in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration induced by synaptic activity reduces the concentration of agonist required to maximally activate adenylyl cyclase suggests that this enzyme may act as a coincidence detector, integrating glutamatergic neurotransmission and noradrenaline release.

Extracellular synthesis of cADP-ribose from nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide by rat cortical astrocytes in culture

cADPR is an endogenous calcium-mobilizing agent that in vertebrates is synthesized from nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD) by bifunctional enzymes with ADP-ribosyl cyclase and cADPR hydrolase activity. ADP-ribosyl cyclase and cADPR hydrolase activity have been reported in the brain, but the cellular localization of these activities has not been determined previously. In the present study, selective culturing techniques were employed to localize ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity and cADPR hydrolase activity to astrocytes or neurons in cultures derived from rat embryonic cerebral cortex. ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity was determined by incubating cultures with 1 mM NAD in the extracellular medium for 60 min at 37 degrees C and measuring formation of cADPR by bioassay and by HPLC. Astrocyte cultures and mixed cultures of astrocytes and neurons had mean specific activities of 0.84 +/- 0.06 and 0.9 +/- 0.18 nmol cADPR produced/mg protein/hr, respectively. No detectable ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity was found in neuron-enriched/ astrocyte-poor cultures. cADPR hydrolase activity was detectable by incubating cultures with 300 microM cADPR for 60 min at 37 degrees C and assaying loss of cADPR or accumulation of ADPR. The demonstration of extracellular ADP-ribosyl cyclase and cADPR hydrolase activities associated with astrocytes may have important implications for the role of extracellular cADPR in signal transduction and in intercellular communication in the nervous system.

Interaction between alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor agonists modulating the slow Ca(2+)-activated K+ current IAHP in hippocampal neurons

Noradrenaline inhibits the Ca(2+)-activated K+ current IAHP, which underlies the slow afterhyperpolarization and spike frequency adaptation in hippocampal and neocortical neurons. The resulting increase in excitability probably contributes to the state control of the forebrain during arousal and attention. The modulation of IAHP by noradrenaline has previously been shown to be mediated by beta 1 receptors, cyclic AMP and protein kinase A, but not by alpha receptors. We have now tested the possibility that alpha receptors also contribute to IAHP modulation through interaction with beta receptors, by the use of whole-cell recordings in CA1 pyramidal cells of rat hippocampal slices. The alpha-receptor agonist 6-fluoro-noradrenaline strongly potentiated the effect of isoproterenol on IAHP. The synergistic effect of 6-fluoro-noradrenaline and isoproterenol was blocked by the beta-receptor antagonist timolol, but the receptor type mediating the effect of 6-fluoro-noradrenaline could not be unequivocally identified by using alpha-receptor antagonists. The effect of high concentrations of noradrenaline on IAHP was only partly blocked by the beta-receptor antagonist timolol, and was further reduced by blocking alpha receptors, again suggesting a contribution from alpha receptors. In contrast, the effect of low concentrations of noradrenaline seemed to be potentiated by the alpha-receptor antagonist phentolamine in 57% of the cells, suggesting concentration-dependent antagonistic interaction between alpha and beta receptors. Further tests indicated that the cross-talk between 6-fluoro-noradrenaline and isoproterenol occurs upstream from cyclic AMP production, and that protein kinase A serves as a final common path for the modulation of IAHP by noradrenaline, and by the combination of 6-fluoro-noradrenaline and isoproterenol.

The effect of hypoxia and catecholamines on regional expression of heat-shock protein-72 mRNA in neonatal piglet brain

The present study has shown that hypoxia leads to expression of heat-shock protein in the brain of newborn piglets and this process is almost completely abolished by depletion of catecholamines prior to the hypoxic episode. The piglets were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated. One hour of hypoxia was generated by decreasing the oxygen fraction in the inspired gas (FiO2) from 22% to 6%-10%. FiO2 was then returned to the control value for a period of 2 h. Following the 2 h of reoxygenation, regional expression of the 72-kDa heat-shock protein (hsp72) mRNA was determined using in situ hybridization and autoradiography. The hypoxic insult (cortical pO2 = 3-10 mmHg) induced expression of hsp72 mRNA in regions of both white and gray matter, with strong expression occurring in the cerebral cortex of individual animals. Depleting the brain of catecholamines prior to hypoxia, by treating the animals with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (AMT), resulted in a major change in the hsp72 mRNA expression. In the catecholamine depleted group of animals, the intensity of hsp72 mRNA expression was greatly decreased or almost completely abolished relative to the nondepleted hypoxic group. These results suggest that the catecholamines play a significant role in the expression of the hsp72 gene in response to hypoxic insult in neonatal brain.

Enlarged frontal P300 to stimulus change in panic disorder

This study investigated event-related potential (ERP) indices of information processing in sufferers of panic disorder (PD). ERPs were recorded from 14 PD patients and 15 controls during an auditory target detection task. The task required subjects to discriminate infrequent target tones (p = .14; 2000 Hz) from frequent (p = .72; 1000 Hz) and infrequent (p = .14; 500 Hz) distractor tones. A frontal P300 (P3a) identified in the PD group was characteristic of activity that would be expected to novel, task-irrelevant stimuli and is consistent with junctional pathology involving the prefrontal-limbic pathways. This study provides psychophysiological evidence of an abnormality in PD of the brain's processing of physical changes in the stimulus field that occurs even under conditions of low stimulus load. It may assist in helping to understand the breakdown in information processing that occurs in PD under high load conditions such as crowds and supermarkets.

Noradrenergic mechanisms in stress and anxiety: I. Preclinical studies

There is considerable preclinical evidence for a relationship between noradrenergic brain systems and behaviors associated with stress and anxiety. The majority of noradrenergic neurons are located in the locus coeruleus (pons), with projections throughout the cerebral cortex and multiple subcortical areas, including hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, and hypothalamus. This neuroanatomical formation of the noradrenergic system makes it well suited to rapidly and globally modulate brain function in response to changes in the environment, as occurs during the presentation of stressors. Stress exposure is associated with an increase in firing of the locus coeruleus and with associated increased release and turnover of norepinephrine in brain regions which receive noradrenergic innervation. Increased firing of the locus coeruleus is also associated with behavioral manifestations of fear, such as arched back and piloerection in the cat. Exposure to chronic stress results in long-term alterations in locus coeruleus firing and norepinephrine release in target brain regions of the locus coeruleus. Norepinephrine is also involved in neural mechanisms such as sensitization and fear conditioning, which are associated with stress. These findings are relevant to an understanding of psychiatric disorders, such as panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the symptoms of which have been hypothesized to be related to alterations in noradrenergic function.

Beta-adrenergic regulation of synaptic NMDA receptors by cAMP-dependent protein kinase

To identify the protein kinases regulating synaptic NMDA receptors, as well as the conditions favoring enhancement of NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) by phosphorylation, we studied the effects of kinase activation and inhibition in hippocampal neurons. Inhibition of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) prevented recovery of NMDA receptors from calcineurin-mediated dephosphorylation induced by synaptic activity, suggesting that tonically active PKA phosphorylates receptors during quiescent periods. Conversely, elevation of PKA activity by forskolin, cAMP analogs, or the beta-adrenergic receptor agonists norepinephrine and isoproterenol overcame the ability of calcineurin to depress the amplitude of NMDA EPSCs. Thus, stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors during excitatory synaptic transmission can increase charge transfer and Ca2+ influx through NMDA receptors.

Cholinergic modulation of the action potential in rat hippocampal neurons

The cholinergic input to the hippocampus from the medial septum is important for modulating hippocampal activity and functions, including theta rhythm and spatial learning. Neuromodulation by transmitters in central nervous system neurons usually affects cell excitability by modifying the membrane potential, discharge pattern and spike frequency. Here we describe another type of neuromodulation: changing the action potential waveform. During intracellular recordings from CA1 pyramidal cells in hippocampal slices from rats, the cholinergic agonist carbachol caused several reversible changes in the action potential: low doses (2 microM) caused an increase in spike duration; high doses (10-40 microM) or long-lasting applications also reduced the spike amplitude and rate of rise, and raised the spike threshold. These effects are similar to those of metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists or phorbol esters, both of which activate protein kinase C. The effects were blocked by the muscarinic antagonist atropine, and were prevented by Ca(2+)-free medium and by Ca(2+)-channel blockers. However, the cholinergic spike modulation was not occluded or mimicked by blocking the Ca(2+)-dependent K+ currents IC or IAHP, suggesting that these K+ currents are not involved in the modulation. We conclude that muscarinic receptor activation modulates the action potential in CA1 pyramidal cells via a Ca(2+)-dependent mechanism, possibly involving protein kinase C. This modulation and the similar effects mediated by metabotropic glutamate receptors to our knowledge provide the only examples of neuromodulation of the action potential in the vertebrate central nervous system-a form of modulation known to regulate Ca2+ influx and transmitter release, and to mediate synaptic plasticity and learning in invertebrates.

Dynamics control of semantic processes in a hierarchical associative memory

A neural mechanism for control of dynamics and function of associative processes in a hierarchical memory system is demonstrated. For the representation and processing of abstract knowledge, the semantic declarative memory system of the human brain is considered. The dynamics control mechanism is based on the influence of neuronal adaptation on the complexity of neural network dynamics. Different dynamical modes correspond to different levels of the ultrametric structure of the hierarchical memory being invoked during an associative process. The mechanism is deterministic but may also underlie free associative thought processes. The formulation of an abstract neural network model of hierarchical associative memory utilizes a recent approach to incorporate neuronal adaptation. It includes a generalized neuronal activation function recently derived by a Hodgkin-Huxley-type model. It is shown that the extent to which a hierarchically organized memory structure is searched is controlled by the neuronal adaptability, i.e. the strength of coupling between neuronal activity and excitability. In the brain, the concentration of various neuromodulators in turn can regulate the adaptability. An autonomously controlled sequence of bifurcations, from an initial exploratory to a final retrieval phase, of an associative process is shown to result from an activity-dependent release of neuromodulators. The dynamics control mechanism may be important in the context of various disorders of the brain and may also extend the range of applications of artificial neural networks.

The lateral hypothalamic area revisited: ingestive behavior

This article discusses the role of the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) in feeding and drinking and draws on data obtained from lesion and stimulation studies and neurochemical and electrophysiological manipulations of the area. The LHA is involved in catecholaminergic and serotonergic feeding systems and plays a role in circadian feeding, sex differences in feeding and spontaneous activity. This article discusses the LHA regarding dietary self-selection, responses to high-protein diets, amino acid imbalances, liquid and cafeteria diets, placentophagia, "stress eating," finickiness, diet texture, consistency and taste, aversion learning, olfaction and the effects of post-operative period manipulations by hormonal and other means. Glucose-sensitive neurons have been identified in the LHA and their manipulation by insulin and 2-deoxy-D-glucose is discussed. The effects on feeding of numerous transmitters, hormones and appetite depressants are described, as is the role of the LHA in salivation, lacrimation, gastric motility and secretion, and sensorimotor deficits. The LHA is also illuminated as regards temperature and feeding, circumventricular organs and thirst and electrolyte dynamics. A discussion of its role in the ischymetric hypothesis as an integrative Gestalt concept concludes the review.

Noradrenaline increases K-conductance and reduces glutamatergic transmission in the mouse entorhinal cortex by activation of alpha 2-adrenoreceptors

The entorhinal cortex is a gateway to the hippocampus; it receives inputs from several cortical associative areas as well as subcortical areas. Since there is evidence showing that noradrenaline reduces the epileptic activity generated in the entorhinal cortex, we have examined the action of noradrenaline in the superficial layer of the entorhinal cortex, which is the main source of afferents to the hippocampus. In a previous study we showed that noradrenaline hyperpolarized layer II entorhinal cortex neurons and reduced global synaptic transmission via alpha 2-adrenoreceptors. Here we present a detailed analysis of the effect of noradrenaline on membrane resistance and on the pharmacologically isolated postsynaptic potentials in layer II entorhinal cortex neurons of mice. Noradrenaline (50 microM) hyperpolarized most layer II entorhinal cortex neurons. This hyperpolarization corresponded to an outward current with a reversal potential following the Nernst equilibrium potential for potassium. The hyperpolarizing effect of noradrenaline was blocked by 10 microM yohimbine. These observations suggest that noradrenaline activates a potassium conductance via an alpha 2-adrenoreceptor. Noradrenaline (10-50 microM) reversibly reduced the amplitude of the pharmacologically isolated excitatory potentials mediated by both NMDA and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors, the former being more strongly affected. Again this effect was blocked by 10 microM yohimbine. In contrast, GABAA-mediated synaptic transmission was virtually unaffected by noradrenaline. Thus, noradrenaline appears to strongly inhibit the glutamate-mediated synaptic transmission in the entorhinal cortex without affecting inhibitory post-synaptic potentials. These observations suggest that alpha 2-adrenergic receptor agonists may exert a beneficial effect in the control of hyperexcitability in temporal lobe epilepsy.

The excitability of CA1 pyramidal cell dendrites is modulated by a local Ca(2+)-dependent K(+)-conductance

Intracellular recordings are made from distal apical dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurones in the rat hippocampal slice preparation. Injection of a threshold current evoked two predominant firing patterns: fast spiking and compound spiking. Suprathreshold current injection evoked high frequency dendritic spiking followed by a pronounced slow afterhyperpolarization (sAHP(dend)) lasting for several hundred milliseconds, during which spiking was inhibited for a variable period. In fast spiking dendrites, the size of the sAHP(dend) depended on the number and frequency of preceding spikes, whereas, in compound spiking dendrites, it was more closely related to the size and duration of preceding Ca(2+)-spikes. During the peak of the sAHP(dend), the membrane conductance was increased by 56%. The sAHP(dend) was blocked by perfusion with Ca2+ and by intradendritic injection of ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA; 0.01 or 0.2 M), indicating that the activation of the sAHP(dend) depends on a rise in intradendritic Ca2+. The sAHP(dend) was also blocked by low concentrations (0.5-1 microM) of carbachol. The data presented here therefore, provide strong evidence that the sAHP(dend) is due to the activation of a local Ca(2+)-dependent K(+)-conductance. Possible implications of a dendritic Ca(2+)-dependent K(+)-conductance for the integration of synaptic potentials are discussed.

The ascending neuromodulatory systems in learning by reinforcement: comparing computational conjectures with experimental findings

A central problem in cognitive neuroscience is how animals can manage to rapidly master complex sensorimotor tasks when the only sensory feedback they use to improve their performance is a simple reinforcing stimulus. Neural network theorists have constructed algorithms for reinforcement learning that can be used to solve a variety of biological problems and do not violate basic neurophysiological principles, in contrast to the back-propagation algorithm. A key assumption in these models is the existence of a reinforcement signal, which would be diffusively broadcast throughout one or several brain areas engaged in learning. This signal is further assumed to mediate up- and downward changes in synaptic efficacy by acting as a multiplicative factor in learning rules. The biological plausibility of these algorithms has been defended by the conjecture that the neuromodulators noradrenaline, acetylcholine or dopamine may form the neurochemical substrate of reinforcement signals. In this commentary, the predictions raised by this hypothesis are compared to anatomical, electrophysiological and behavioural findings. The experimental evidence does not support, and often argues against, a general reinforcement-encoding function of these neuromodulatory systems. Nevertheless, the broader concept of evaluative signalling between brain structures implied in learning appears to be reasonable and the available algorithms may open new avenues for constructing more realistic network architectures.

Evidence for decreased calcium dependent potassium conductance in hippocampal CA3 neurons of genetically epilepsy-prone rats

The genetically epilepsy-prone rat (GEPR) has become an important model to study genetic predisposition to epilepsy involving not only the brainstem but also forebrain structures. Previous work in CA1 hippocampal cells showed a reduction in spike frequency adaptation and only subtle changes in slow afterhyperpolarization (AHP). As important differences exist in calcium dependent potentials in the CA1 and CA3 hippocampal cells, we compared the membrane properties of hippocampal CA3 cells in GEPRs and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. There was no significant difference in the resting membrane potential, input resistance, charging time constant or rheobase between GEPRs and SD rat neurons. The action potential amplitude and the width at half maximal amplitude did not differ. A marked reduction in spike frequency adaptation accompanied by a very significant reduction in AHP was seen in the GEPR rats. Since calcium dependent potassium conductance produces both spike frequency adaptation and AHP, our results suggest that this conductance is reduced in the GEPR CA3 neurons.

Pharmacology of postsynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurones

1. Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurones leads to a depolarization, an increase in input resistance and a reduction in spike frequency adaptation (or accommodation). At least eight subtypes of mGluR have been identified which have been divided into three groups based on their biochemical, structural and pharmacological properties. It is unclear to which group the mGluRs which mediate these excitatory effects in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurones belong. We have attempted to address this question by using intracellular recording to test the effects of a range of mGluR agonists and antagonists, that exhibit different profiles of subtype specificity, on the excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurones in rat hippocampal slices. 2. (2S, 1'S,2'S)-2-(2'-carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (L-CCG1) caused a reduction in spike frequency adaptation and a depolarization (1-10 mV) associated with an increase in input resistance (10-30%) at concentrations (> or = 50 microM) that have been shown to activate mGluRs in groups I, II and III. Similar effects were observed with concentrations (50-100 microM) of (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid ((1S,3R)-ACPD) and (1S,3S)-ACPD that exhibit little or no activity at group III mGluRs but which activate groups I and II mGluRs. 3. Inhibition of the release of endogenous neurotransmitters through activation of GABAB receptors, by use of 200 microM (+/-)-baclofen, did not alter the effects of (1S,3R)-ACPD (50-100 microM), (1S,3S)-ACPD (100 microM) or L-CCG1 (100 microM). This suggests that mGluR agonists directly activate CA1 pyramidal neurones. 4. Like these broad spectrum mGluR agonists, the racemic mixture ((SR)-) or resolved (S)-isomer of the selective group I mGluR agonist 3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine ((SR)-DHPG (50-100 microM) or (S)-DHPG (20-50 microM)) caused a reduction in spike frequency adaptation concomitant with postsynaptic depolarization and an increase in input resistance. In contrast, 2S,1'R,2'R,3'R-2-(2',3'-dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine (DCG-IV; 100 microM) and (S)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutanoic acid (L-AP4; 100-500 microM), which selectively activate group II mGluRs and group III mGluRs, respectively, had no effect on the passive membrane properties or spike frequency adaptation of CA1 pyramidal neurones. 5. The mGluR antagonists (+)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine ((+)-MCPG; 1000 microM) and (S)-4-carboxyphenylglycine ((S)-4CPG; 1000 microM), which block groups I and II mGluRs and group I mGluRs, respectively, had no effect on membrane potential, input resistance or spike frequency adaptation per se. Both of these antagonists inhibited the postsynaptic effects of (1S,3R)-ACPD (50-100 microM), (1S,3S)-ACPD (30-100 microM) and L-CCG1 (50-100 microM). (+)-MCPG also reversed the effects of (SR)-DHPG(75 gM). (The effect of (S)-4CPG was not tested.) Their action was selective in that both antagonists did not reverse the reduction in spike frequency adaptation induced by carbachol (1 microM) or noradrenaline(10 microM) whereas atropine (10 microM) and propranolol (100 microM) did.6 From these data it is concluded that the mGluRs in CAl pyramidal neurones responsible for these excitatory effects are similar to the mGluRs expressed by non-neuronal cells transfected with cDNA encoding group I mGluRs.

Channels underlying the slow afterhyperpolarization in hippocampal pyramidal neurons: neurotransmitters modulate the open probability

The slow afterhyperpolarization in hippocampal pyramidal neurons is mediated by a calcium-activated potassium current (IAHP) and is a target for variety of different neurotransmitters. The characteristics of the channels underlying IAHP and how they are modulated by neurotransmitters are, however, unknown. In this study, we have examined the properties of the channels underlying IAHP using fluctuation analysis of the macroscopic current. Our results indicate that this channel has a unitary conductance of 2-5 pS and a mean open time of about 2 ms. When the peak amplitude of IAHP was maximal, these channels have an open probability of 0.4. Noradrenaline and carbachol reduced IAHP amplitude by lowering open channel probability. These result indicate that a novel calcium-activated potassium channel underlies IAHP. This channel is modulated in a similar fashion by two different transmitter systems that utilize distinct protein kinases.

Adrenergic modulation of hilar neuron activity and granule cell inhibition in the guinea-pig hippocampal slice

To study the effects of norepinephrine on synaptic inhibition in the dentate gyrus, intracellular recordings were made from hilar neurons in the guinea-pig hippocampal slice. The effects of norepinephrine on hilar neurons were compared with changes in the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic potentials recorded from granule cells. Hilar neurons comprised two electrophysiologically distinct groups: type I hilar neurons displayed a pronounced single spike afterhyperpolarization and little spike frequency accommodation, type II hilar neurons had small afterhyperpolarizations and pronounced spike frequency accommodation. The majority of recordings were from type I hilar neurons which are presumably inhibitory to granule cells. In most instances, effects of norepinephrine (2-10 microM) on hilar neurons could be mimicked by the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (0.1-1 microM). Isoproterenol induced a slight depolarization, blocked a slow afterhyperpolarization and, in type II neurons, reduced spike frequency accommodation. These effects were associated with an increase in the spontaneous discharge rate and an enhancement of spontaneous excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. In accordance, isoproterenol and norepinephrine increased the frequency of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in granule cells. In the presence of the non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione and the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist CGP 37849, isoproterenol and norepinephrine also increased the frequency of Cl- -dependent inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in granule cells. Under this experimental condition, however, norepinephrine reduced the discharge rate of type I hilar neurons through an effect on alpha-receptors. In the presence of GABAA receptor blockers, norepinephrine increased the frequency of spontaneously occurring K(+)-dependent inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in granule cells. Accordingly, the frequency of burst discharges in type I hilar neurons was increased. We suggest that the discrepancy in the effect of norepinephrine on the discharge rate of presumed inhibitory hilar neurons and the frequency of Cl- -dependent inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in granule cells results from a direct effect of norepinephrine on GABAergic terminals because norepinephrine also enhanced the frequency of tetrodotoxin-resistant inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in granule cells. Thus, the net effect of synaptically released norepinephrine on synaptic inhibition in the dentate gyrus will be determined by opposing actions of alpha- versus beta-receptor stimulation at the synapse on hilar neurons.

Noradrenergic enhancement of GABA-induced input resistance changes in layer V regular spiking pyramidal neurons of rat somatosensory cortex

Previous in vivo studies have shown that microiontophoretic application of norepinephrine (NE) and isoproterenol (ISO) can enhance gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-induced depressant responses of rat somatosensory cortical neurons. In the present investigation we have examined the transmembrane electrophysiological events which are associated with interactions between NE and GABA in layer V pyramidal neurons of rat barrel field cortex. Intracellular recordings were made from electrophysiologically identified cells in a superfused cortical tissue slice preparation before, during and after bath or microdrop application of GABA, NE and ISO, alone or in combination. GABA application produced a small depolarization from resting membrane potential associated with a reduction (22%) in input resistance. NE and ISO (10-100 microM) also produced in some cases small membrane depolarizations (1-4 mV) but little concomitant changes in input resistance. Simultaneous application of NE with GABA potentiated amino acid-induced changes in input resistance in 4 cases and antagonized (n = 4) or had no effect (n = 4) on GABA-associated membrane events in 8 other cases. When the alpha-blocker, phentolamine (20 microM), was added to the medium, NE-induced enhancement of the GABA response was observed in 3 of 5 cases (60%), suggesting both, a beta-adrenergic mediation and a possible alpha-receptor masking of this noradrenergic-potentiating action. Consistent with this interpretation was the finding that the beta-agonist, ISO (10-100 microM), produced net increases in GABA-induced input resistance changes in 64% of cases tested (9 of 14). The potentiating effect of NE and ISO was mimicked by the adenyl cyclase activator, forskolin (n = 2), and a membrane permeant analog of cyclic-AMP, 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (n = 3); and could also be demonstrated when the GABAA agonist muscimol (0.5-1 microM) was substituted for GABA. The reversal potential for GABA and GABA + NE remained the same. These findings suggest that previous demonstrations of NE-potentiating effects on GABA inhibition may be mediated by beta-receptor/cyclic-AMP-linked actions on mechanisms which regulate GABAA receptor-induced membrane conductance changes.

Norepinephrine modulates excitability of neonatal rat optic nerves through calcium-mediated mechanisms

We report that norepinephrine markedly increases excitability of neonatal rat optic nerves. To investigate the mechanisms of the norepinephrine-induced excitability increase, we studied isolated optic nerves from 42 neonatal (< three days old) and five adult (> three months old) Long-Evan's hooded rats. Norepinephrine (10(-6), 10(-5) and 10(-4) M) rapidly and reversibly increased the amplitude (mean +/- S.D.: 3.5 +/- 1.7%, 12.1 +/- 2.8% and 35.6 +/- 8.4%) of compound action potentials elicited by submaximal stimulation of neonatal optic nerves. The beta-1 adrenoceptor antagonist atenolol (10(-5) M) blocked the norepinephrine-induced increase in excitability but the alpha antagonist phentolamine (10(-5) M) did not. The beta agonist isoproterenol (10(-5) and 10(-4) M) increased response amplitudes (8.7 +/- 4.1% and 25.8 +/- 4.6%) but the alpha-1 agonist methoxamine and alpha-2 agonist clonidine did not. The beta antagonist propranolol blocked the isoproterenol effect. Replacing Ca2+ with Mg2+ or adding 0.8 mM of Cd2+ reversibly blocked the norepinephrine effects. Extracellular K+ concentrations did not change in optic nerves during norepinephrine application. Blockade of K+ channels with apamin (10(-6) M) or tetraethylammonium (10(-3) M) did not prevent the excitatory effects of norepinephrine. Adult rat optic nerves were insensitive to both norepinephrine (10(-4) M) and isoproterenol (10(-4) M). Our results indicate that norepinephrine increases neonatal optic axonal excitability through Ca(2+)-dependent mechanisms. The data suggest that the adrenoceptors are situated on the axons, that the excitability changes are not due to changes in extracellular K+ concentration or K+ channels sensitive to apamin or tetraethylammonium. The sensitivity of rat optic nerves to norepinephrine declined with age. Axonal adrenoceptors may play a role in optic axonal development and injury.

Neuromodulation and cortical function: modeling the physiological basis of behavior

Neuromodulators including acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine and a range of peptides alter the processing characteristics of cortical networks through effects on excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission, on the adaptation of cortical pyramidal cells, on membrane potential, on the rate of synaptic modification, and on other cortical parameters. Computational models of self-organization and associative memory function in cortical structures such as the hippocampus, piriform cortex and neocortex provide a theoretical framework in which the role of these neuromodulatory effects can be analyzed. Neuromodulators such as acetylcholine and norepinephrine appear to enhance the influence of synapses from afferent fibers arising outside the cortex relative to the synapses of intrinsic and association fibers arising from other cortical pyramidal cells. This provides a continuum between a predominant influence of external stimulation to a predominant influence of internal recall (extrinsic vs. intrinsic). Modulatory influence along this continuum may underlie effects described in terms of learning and memory, signal to noise ratio, and attention.

Effects of neuropeptide Y on the electrical properties of neurons

Neuropeptide Y, one of the scions of the pancreatic polypeptide family, is found throughout the nervous system. Based on its abundance alone, one would expect neuropeptide Y to play an important role in the regulation of neuronal activity, and indeed many pharmacological studies have demonstrated neuromodulatory effects of neuropeptide Y. Here, William F. Colmers and David Bleakman review the known actions of neuropeptide Y on the electrical properties of nerve cells. Neuropeptide Y inhibits Ca2+ currents, and modulates transmitter release in a highly selective manner. Neuropeptide Y might be quite important in the regulation of neuronal state, as exemplified by its actions in the hippocampus and the dorsal raphé nucleus.

Hippocampal CA1 neuronal properties in genetically epilepsy-prone rats: evidence for increased excitation

The genetically epilepsy prone rats (GEPRs) are abnormally susceptible to seizures with a variety of treatments and can be used as a model to study generalized seizure predisposition involving the brainstem and forebrain structures. We investigated the basic membrane and synaptic properties of hippocampal CA1 cells in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and GEPRs. Several differences in cellular properties were observed in the GEPRs. These include an increase in membrane input resistance and reduced spike frequency adaptation in the majority of GEPR cells. A decrease in the amount of current required to elicit a 5-mV EPSP was observed in the GEPR. A marked increase in excitability with paired pulse stimulation was also observed in GEPRs both in extracellular population spikes and intracellular EPSPs. Applying bicuculline, a GABAA antagonist, markedly increased paired pulse facilitation of the population spike in SD rats but in GEPRs produced only a minimal effect on facilitation. This difference suggests reduced GABAA-mediated inhibition in GEPR hippocampus with paired pulse stimulation. Several factors could interact or act independently to produce these effects because the epileptic phenotype in GEPRs is regulated by multiple genes.

Mechanisms of antihistamine-induced sedation in the human brain: H1 receptor activation reduces a background leakage potassium current

Antihistamines, more formally termed H1 receptor antagonists, are well known to exert sedative effects in humans, yet their locus and mechanism of action in the human brain remains unknown. To better understand this phenomenon, the effects of histamine upon human cortical neurons were studied using intracellular recordings in brain slices maintained in vitro. Bath application of 50 microM histamine induced a depolarization which could be attributed to reduction of a background voltage-independent "leakage" potassium current: the depolarization was associated with an increase in apparent input resistance, under voltage clamp its reversal potential approximated the potassium reversal potential, and the histamine-induced current exhibited little voltage dependence. The pharmacology of the histamine-induced depolarization of human cortical neurons was studied by use of both agonists and antagonists. Depolarizing responses were blocked by the H1 antagonist mepyramine, but not by the H2 antagonist cimetidine nor the H3 antagonist thioperamide. The H3 receptor agonist R-alpha-methyl-histamine did not mimic the effects of histamine. Thus, histamine depolarizes human cortical neurons via action at an H1 receptor. These effects of neuronal histamine upon cortical neurons are likely to affect synaptic transmission in several ways. The depolarization per se should increase the likelihood that excitatory synaptic potentials will evoke an action potential. The increase in whole-cell input resistance evoked by H1 receptor activation should make the cell more electrotonically compact, thereby altering its integrative properties. We hypothesize that these mechanisms would allow histamine, acting at cortical H1 receptors, to enhance behavioral arousal. During waking when histamine release is highest, blockade of H1 receptors by systemically administered H1 receptor antagonists would be sedating.

Release of acetylcholine and noradrenaline from the cholinergic and adrenergic afferents in rat hippocampal CA1, CA3 and dentate gyrus regions

An attempt was made to study the release of acetylcholine (ACh) and noradrenaline and their presynaptic modulation in isolated slice preparations dissected from different subfields of the hippocampus: CA1, CA3 and the dentate gyrus. The slices were perfused and loaded with [3H]choline or with [3H]noradrenaline. The release in response to field stimulation was determined radiochemically and the content of transmitters was assayed by a chemiluminescent method or by HPLC combined with electrochemical detection. After 30 min of loading with [3H]choline there were marked subregional differences in the specific activity of [3H]ACh content. The highest concentration was measured in the dentate gyrus and the lowest in CA3. Evidence was obtained that in all three subfields the cholinergic axon terminals are equipped with inhibitory muscarinic autoreceptors and the noradrenergic terminals with alpha 2-autoreceptors, as indicated by an increase in transmitter release when the tissue was exposed to selective muscarinic or alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists. In contrast, the cholinergic boutons are not equipped with alpha 2-adrenoceptors, and noradrenergic terminals do not possess inhibitory muscarinic receptors. It is therefore concluded that while the release of both ACh and noradrenaline is controlled by negative feedback modulation, there is no possibility of establishing a presynaptic inhibitory interaction between the two.

Isoproterenol interacts differently with beta-adrenoceptors in astrocytes and neurons isolated from the adult rat brain

The interaction of isoproterenol with beta-adrenoceptors has been investigated in astroglial and neuronal cells isolated from adult rat cerebral cortices. Using the non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonist (3H)CGP-12177 as a ligand, binding experiments revealed that both types of cells exhibit beta-adrenoceptors. However the analysis of the isoproterenol displacement curve indicated that only neuronal cells contained the high affinity conformational state of the beta-adrenoceptor.

Noradrenergic modulation of synaptic transmission between olfactory bulb neurons in culture: implications to olfactory learning

Noradrenergic modulation of the glutamatergic-GABAergic synapses between mitral/tufted (M/T) and granule cells has been implicated in some forms of olfactory learning (5), but the mechanism of action is unknown. Intracellular stimulation of M/T cells in primary culture, evoked glutamate-mediated excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in granule cells that were reversibly inhibited by approximately 50% during application of norepinephrine (NE). NE had no effect, however, on the membrane current evoked by the application of glutamate, indicating a presynaptic site of action. The effect of NE on EPSPs was mimicked by the alpha receptor agonist clonidine, but not by the beta receptor agonist isoproteronol. NE also inhibited spontaneous GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials recorded in M/T cells, by a presynaptic alpha-adrenergic mediated mechanism. NE and clonidine also inhibited high threshold calcium currents. The effects of NE on calcium currents were irreversible in the presence of internal GTP gamma S and prevented by pertussis toxin, suggesting a G protein-coupled mechanism. Pertussis toxin also prevented the effects of NE on synaptic transmission. These results support previous results suggesting a disinhibitory role for NE in the olfactory bulb. This action is, at least in part, due to a reduction in mitral cell mediated granule cell excitation through inhibition of presynaptic calcium influx.

PKA mediates the effects of monoamine transmitters on the K+ current underlying the slow spike frequency adaptation in hippocampal neurons

The Ca(2+)-activated K+ current IAHP, which underlies spike frequency adaptation in cortical pyramidal cells, can be modulated by multiple transmitters and probably contributes to state control of the forebrain by ascending monoaminergic fibers. Here, we show that the modulation of this current by norepinephrine, serotonin, and histamine is mediated by protein kinase A in hippocampal CA1 neurons. Two specific protein kinase A inhibitors, Rp-cAMPS and Walsh peptide, suppressed the effects of these transmitters on IAHP and spike frequency adaptation. The effects of the cyclic AMP analog 8CPT-cAMP were also inhibited, whereas muscarinic and metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists had full effect. Intracellular application of protein kinase A catalytic subunit or a phosphatase inhibitor mimicked the effects of monoamines or 8CPT-cAMP. These results demonstrate that monoaminergic modulation of neuronal excitability in the mammalian CNS is mediated by protein phosphorylation.

Prostaglandins F2 alpha synthesis in the hippocampal mossy fiber synaptosomal preparation: II. Effects of receptor activation

Mossy fiber nerve endings were isolated from rat hippocampi and used to determine the effects of receptor activation on the production of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha). Glutamate and its agonists had no effect on PGF2 alpha synthesis. Similarly, acetylcholine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, histamine and purinergic receptor agonists did not affect PGF2 alpha accumulation in this preparation. However, norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine exerted receptor-mediated stimulations of PGF2 alpha production. The agonist-evoked increases in PGF2 alpha production were attenuated by phospholipase A2 inhibitors, L-type voltage-sensitive Ca2+ blockers and a K+ channel activator, but they were insensitive to tetrodotoxin. In addition, a kappa opioid agonist decreased PGF2 alpha synthesis in unstimulated and depolarized synaptosomes. It appeared, therefore, that certain receptor agonists were able to modulate PGF2 alpha synthesis in the hippocampal mossy fiber synaptosomal preparation.

Calcium-activated hyperpolarizations in rat locus coeruleus neurons in vitro

1. Intracellular recordings were made from rat locus coeruleus (LC) neurons in completely submerged brain slices. Trains of action potentials in LC neurons were followed by a prolonged post-stimulus hyperpolarization (PSH). If trains were elicited with depolarizing current pulses of sufficient intensity, PSH was composed of a fast, early component (PSHE) and a slow, late component (PSHL). PSH which followed trains elicited with lower intensity depolarizing current pulses consisted only of PSHL. 2. Both PSHE and PSHL were augmented by increasing the number of action potentials in the train and both were associated with an increase in membrane conductance. The reversal potential for PSHE was -108 mV and for PSHL it was -114 mV. 3. When a hybrid voltage clamp protocol was used, the current underlying PSH (IPSH) was observed to consist of an early, rapidly decaying component, IE, followed by a late, slower decaying component, IL. The time course of decay of IPSH was biexponential with the time constant of decay of IL more than one order of magnitude larger than the time constant of decay of IE. An increase in the concentration of external K+ shifted the reversal potentials for IE and IL in the depolarizing direction; the mean value of shift per tenfold increase in external K+ concentration was 57.1 mV for IE and 57.6 mV for IL. 4. Both PSHE and PSHL were inhibited by lowering the external Ca2+ concentration or by application of the Ca2+ channel blockers Cd2+ (200-500 microM) or nifedipine (100 microM). Intracellular injection of EGTA abolished both components of PSH. Increasing the external Ca2+ concentration augmented both PSH components. 5. Superfusion of dantrolene (25 microM) or ryanodine (20 microM) decreased the amplitude and duration of PSHL with much less effect on PSHE. 6. d-Tubocurarine (20-200 microM) selectively blocked PSHE with no effect on PSHL; this effect is the same as that of apamin which we have previously described. Superfusion with charybdotoxin (40 nM) or TEA (400 microM-1 mM) did not reduce PSHE or PSHL. 7. Inhibition of IA by 4-aminopyridine or 2,4-diaminopyridine also did not reduce either component of PSH. In fact, these agents slightly augmented both components of PSH; this effect was probably secondary to the prolongation of action potential duration. Superfusion of TEA in concentrations of 2-10 mM increased the size and duration of PSHL and increased the duration but decreased the size of PSHE.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Abnormal stimulus processing in posttraumatic stress disorder

This study investigated event-related potential (ERP) indices of information processing in sufferers of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ERPs were obtained from 18 PTSD patients and 20 controls while they performed a target discrimination task requiring the detection of infrequent target tones from a background sequence of frequent and infrequent distractor tones. A delayed N2 and an attenuated P3 that failed to differentiate target from distractor tones indicated that patients had abnormal difficulty distinguishing task stimuli of differing relevance. It is proposed that this difficulty is reflected behaviorally in the slowed reaction time by patients to target stimuli and may underlie the disturbed concentration and memory impairments found in PTSD. It may also be related to dysfunction in central noradrenaline function, which has been shown to be both crucial in selective attention and abnormal in PTSD.

Epileptic focus induced in rat by intrahippocampal cholera toxin: neuronal properties in vitro

Injecting 0.5-1.0 microgram of cholera toxin into rat hippocampus induces a chronic epileptic focus which generates interictal discharges and brief epileptic seizures intermittently over the following seven to 10 days. Here we examined the electrophysiological properties of hippocampal slices prepared from these rats three to four days after injection, at the height of the epileptic syndrome. These slices generated epileptic discharges in response to electrical stimulation of afferent pathways. In many cases epileptic discharges occurred spontaneously in the CA3 subregion; these usually lasted < 200 ms, but they could last < 0.6 s. Intracellular recordings from pyramidal layer cells revealed depolarization shifts synchronous with the epileptic field potentials. These depolarization shifts had slow onsets compared with those induced by blocking inhibition with bicuculline (depolarizations started a mean of 57 ms before, and reached 5.2 mV by, the onset of the cholera toxin epileptic field potential, compared with 12 ms and 3.6 mV respectively for 70 microM bicuculline methiodide). Extracellular unit recordings showed that the slow predepolarization seen in the cholera toxin focus was associated with an acceleration of the firing of other pyramidal layer neurons. The epileptic activity in this model cannot be attributed to the loss of synaptic inhibition, because inhibitory postsynaptic potentials could be evoked when the synchronous bursts were blocked by increasing [Ca2+]o from 2 to 8 mM. Observations of monosynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic currents isolated by application of 20 microM 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, 50 microM DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid and 100-200 microM 3-amino-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-propylsulphonic acid showed a small effect of the toxin only on the time course of the inhibitory postsynaptic current. On the other hand, there were significant changes in the intrinsic properties of individual neurons. The membrane potentials of cells in the cholera toxin focus did not differ from those in slices from rats injected with vehicle solution, but their input resistances were significantly increased. Unlike the other cellular changes in this model, the increase in input resistance was not seen in slices exposed acutely to 1 micrograms/ml cholera toxin for 30 min, suggesting there may be morphological changes in the chronic focus. Action potential accommodation and the slow afterhyperpolarization were depressed in both acute and chronic epileptic tissue, indicating impairments of Ca(2+)- and/or voltage-dependent K+ currents, and we conclude that these provide the most likely basis for cholera toxin epileptogenesis.

Recovery of hippocampal dentate granule cell responsiveness to entorhinal cortical input following norepinephrine depletion

Hippocampal dentate granule cell responsivity to excitatory input from entorhinal perforant path fibers was examined in the chronic rabbit preparation following norepinephrine (NE) depletion induced with the neurotoxin DSP4. To examine granule cell responsivity as a function of perforant path activation, constant low frequency stimulation (0.1 Hz) was applied to the perforant path using an ascending intensity series. To examine granule cell responsivity to more complex patterns of stimulation, a train of impulses, with a random interstimulus interval (Poisson distribution; mean frequency of 2 Hz), was applied to the perforant path. Both single impulse and random interval impulse stimulation revealed that NE depletion increased the average amplitude of the perforant path-granule cell population spike. The random interval impulse stimulation revealed that NE depletion also increased the magnitude and duration of second order inhibitory interactions. These changes were transient, however, and recovered over the 21 day test period. Hippocampal NE levels were reduced an average of 80% between 23 and 38 days post-DSP4. The activity of the rate-limiting enzyme for NE synthesis, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), was reduced an average of 60%. That NE levels were reduced to a greater extent than was TH activity is suggestive of increased NE synthesis within the remaining nerve terminals. Such an increase in NE synthesis may reflect a compensatory response underlying the functional recovery of electrophysiological responsiveness following partial NE depletion.

The ontogeny of repetitive firing and its modulation by norepinephrine in rat neocortical neurons

The postnatal ontogeny of electrical properties was studied in rat sensorimotor cortical neurons (P6 to adult) using intracellular recording in an in vitro slice preparation. Many action potential properties and input resistance changed during the first 4 postnatal weeks. Repetitive firing behavior also changed during the first postnatal month. Spike-frequency adaptation was much stronger in immature neurons. At 1 week postnatal, the majority of cortical neurons would only fire for less than 200 ms regardless of the intensity of long depolarizing current injections. These cells were normal in other parameters and could fire throughout a depolarizing current injection in the presence of inorganic calcium channel blockers or norepinephrine (NE), suggesting that the inability to fire was not due to injury. The frequency with which we encountered cells with this extreme adaptation decreased with age. Spike-frequency adaptation in immature neurons appears to be primarily controlled by Ca-dependent K+ conductances as in mature neurons. In mature and immature neurons, three afterhyperpolarizations (AHPs) could be distinguished by their rate of decline. The fast AHP followed repolarization of a single spike and was only partially Ca- and K-dependent. The medium duration AHP was Ca-dependent and apamin-sensitive and the slow AHP was partially Ca-dependent and not blocked by apamin. NE decreased the slow Ca-dependent AHP via beta-adrenergic receptors. This effect of NE on AHPs appeared qualitatively similar throughout postnatal development. NE had a proportionately greater effect in younger neurons, however, due to their relatively larger slow AHP. The quantitative differences of NE's action on the slow AHP (sAHP) led to a qualitative difference in NE's effect on firing behavior. The effects of NE on firing behavior may therefore be greater during times critical for cortical maturation.

The lateral hypothalamic area revisited: neuroanatomy, body weight regulation, neuroendocrinology and metabolism

This article reviews findings that have accumulated since the original description of the syndrome that follows destruction of the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). These data comprise the areas of neuroanatomy, body weight regulation, neuroendocrinology, neurochemistry, and intermediary metabolism. Neurons in the LHA are the largest in the hypothalamus, and are topographically well organized. The LHA belongs to the parasympathetic area of the hypothalamus, and connects with all major parts of the brain and the major hypothalamic nuclei. Rats with LHA lesions regulate their body weight set point in a primary manner and not because of destruction of a "feeding center". The lower body weight is not due to finickiness. In the early stages of the syndrome, catabolism and running activity are enhanced, and so is the activity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) as shown by increased norepinephrine excretion that normalizes one mo later. The LHA plays a role in the feedback control of body weight regulation different from ventromedial (VMN) and dorsomedial (DMN). Tissue preparations from the LHA promote glucose utilization and insulin release. Although it does not belong to the classical hypothysiotropic area of the hypothalamus, the LHA does affect neuroendocrine secretions. No plasma data on growth hormone are available following electrolytic lesions LHA but electrical stimulation fails to elicit GH secretion. Nevertheless, antiserum raised against the 1-37 fragment of human GHRF stains numerous perikarya in the dorsolateral LHA. The plasma circadian corticosterone rhythm is disrupted in LHA lesioned rats, but this is unlikely due to destruction of intrinsic oscillators. Stimulation studies show a profound role of the LHA in glucose metabolism (glycolysis, glycogenesis, gluconeogenesis), this mechanism being cholinergic. Its role in lipolysis appears not to be critical. In general, stimulation of the VMN elicits opposite effects. Lesion studies in rats show altered in vitro glucose carbon incorporation into several tissue fractions both a few days, and one mo after lesion production. Several of these changes may be due to the reduced food intake, others appear to be due to a "true" lesion effect.

Characterization of a calcium-dependent current generating a slow afterdepolarization of CA3 pyramidal cells in rat hippocampal slice cultures

A depolarization-induced, slowly decaying inward current was examined in slice-cultured CA3 pyramidal cells by voltage-clamp techniques and microfluorometric measurements of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Action potentials elicited by intracellular injection of short-lasting (50-100 ms) depolarizing current pulses were followed by a slowly decaying afterhyperpolarization (AHP). After switching to voltage-clamp mode, short-lasting (50-100 ms) depolarizing voltage jumps from -60 mV to between -30 and 0 mV induced a slowly decaying outward aftercurrent (IAHP) which was depressed by bath application of muscarine (0.5 microM). In the presence of muscarine, the same depolarizations induced a slowly decaying afterdepolarization (ADP) or inward aftercurrent (IADP) in voltage-clamp mode. This current was also induced in the presence of trans(+/-)-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid (t-ACPD, 5 microM), an agonist of metabotropic glutamate receptors, but not in the presence of noradrenalin (5 microM), while both of these agonists depressed IAHP. IADP was depressed by reducing the external Ca2+ concentration from 3.8 to 0.5 mM, by external Co2+ (1 mM) and by external Cd2+ (10-100 microM). Combined voltage-clamp recordings and microfluorometric measurements of [Ca2+]i using the Ca2+ indicator fura-2 revealed that the amplitude of IADP was correlated with the amplitude of depolarization-induced Ca2+ influx. IADP was absent at membrane potentials < -90 mV, and reached maximal amplitudes at approximately -55 mV. Raising the extracellular K+ concentration from 2.7 to 13.5 mM increased the amplitude of IADP and resulted in a positively directed shift of the apparent reversal potential of IADP. When the external Na+ concentration was reduced from 157 to 33 or 18 mM the current reversed at more negative potentials and was reduced to 40 and 21%, respectively, of control amplitude. Lowering the external CI- concentration from 159 to 20 mM did not affect IADP. We conclude that IADP most likely represents a Ca(2+)-activated cation current, rather than a Ca2+ tail current, or an electrogenic Ca2+ extrusion current.

Cyclic AMP mediates inhibition of the Na(+)-K+ electrogenic pump by serotonin in tactile sensory neurones of the leech

1. Serotonin (5-HT) reduced the after-hyperpolarization (AHP) amplitude in tactile sensory neurones (T) but not in pressor (P) or nociceptive (N) cells of the leech. 2. Adenylate cyclase activators, phosphodiesterase inhibitors and membrane permeant analogues of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) mimicked the effect of 5-HT in reducing the AHP amplitude in T neurones. 3. Ionophoretic injection of cyclic AMP in T cells reduced the AHP amplitude, while cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cyclic GMP) or adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP) were without effect. 4. Inhibition of adenylate cyclase by the drug RMI 12330A (also known as MDL 12330A) suggested that 5-HT reduced the AHP amplitude through cyclic AMP. 5. 8-Bromoadenosine-3'-5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cyclic AMP) was still able to reduce the AHP amplitude after blocking the Ca(2+)-activated K+ conductance with CdCl2 and converted the normal hyperpolarization which follows the intracellular injection of Na+ into a depolarization. In addition, the cyclic AMP analogue slowed down and reduced the repolarization usually induced by CsCl after perfusion with K(+)-free solution. It is proposed that, in T sensory neurones, cyclic AMP mediates the inhibition of the Na(+)-K+ electrogenic pump induced by 5-HT application.

Differences in electrophysiological properties between neurones of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus in rat and guinea pig

We have examined the electrophysiological properties of neurones in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) in rats and guinea pigs in transverse medullary slices maintained in vitro. There were only minor differences in the morphology of the neurones between the species, and their passive electrical properties were very similar. However, action potentials in guinea pig neurones had larger amplitudes and longer half-widths than did those in rat neurones. In both species, action potentials were followed by prolonged afterhyperpolarisations (AHPs). In the majority of guinea pig neurones, two calcium-activated potassium currents underlying the AHP could be separated into an early apamin-sensitive component and a late apamin-insensitive component. In rat neurones, the current underlying the AHP was briefer and entirely apamin-sensitive. In response to a step of depolarising current, neurones in the guinea pig only discharged once or twice and then ceased firing. In rat neurones, this manoeuvre produced repetitive firing. An inward rectifier was larger in neurones of the guinea pig than in those in the rat. The effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine and noradrenaline also differed between neurones of each species. We conclude that, despite many similarities of size and electrical properties, DMV neurones in the two species differ in terms of several voltage- and calcium-dependent conductances which determine their active electrical behaviour.

Corticotropin-releasing factor suppresses the afterhyperpolarization in cerebellar Purkinje neurons

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is present in climbing fibers and their terminations on Purkinje neurons. To determine whether CRF may have a postsynaptic action in this pathway, CRF effects on the electrophysiological properties of cultured cerebellar Purkinje neurons were studied. CRF produced a dose-dependent reduction of the amplitude of the afterhyperpolarization (AHP) which follows a current-induced spike train. The effect of CRF on the AHP was specific in that CRF did not significantly alter input resistance, membrane potential, amplitude of the depolarizing-off response produced at the termination of a hyperpolarizing current pulse, or the number of depolarization-induced simple spikes. Suppression of the AHP by CRF may be one mechanism by which CRF regulates the response of Purkinje neurons to other transmitters in the climbing fiber pathway or in other inputs to Purkinje neurons.

Tonic activation of locus coeruleus neurons by systemic or intracoerulear microinjection of an irreversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor: increased discharge rate and induction of C-fos

Recent studies in this laboratory have demonstrated that intramuscular injection of the irreversible acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, soman (pinacolylmethylphosphonofluoridate), produces a rapid (1-2 h) and profound depletion (70% of control) of norepinephrine (NE) in the olfactory bulb and forebrain. NE is decreased only in convulsing animals. As NE-containing locus coeruleus (LC) neurons provide the only NE input to the olfactory bulb and the major NE innervation of the forebrain, the reduction of NE suggests that soman may cause tonic activation of LC neurons leading to rapid depletion of NE. Activation of LC may result from: (i) facilitation of cholinergic transmission in LC; (ii) soman-induced activation of excitatory inputs to LC; or (iii) generalized activation of LC neurons due to seizures. The present experiments were designed to assess these alternatives. We examined whether LC neuronal activity, c-fos expression, and AChE staining are altered after peripheral (systemic) or direct intracoerulear injection of soman in anesthetized rats. Both modes of soman administration rapidly and potently increase the spontaneous discharge rate of LC neurons. This activation was associated with a desynchronization of the electroencephalogram, but not with seizures. The discharge of LC neurons remained elevated at all postsoman intervals examined (up to 2 h) and was rapidly and completely reversed by systemic injection of the muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine hydrochloride, but not by the nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine. Both systemic and intracoerulear soman administration completely inhibited AChE staining in LC and rapidly induced the expression of c-fos in LC neurons. These results demonstrate that soman potently and tonically activates LC neurons. This effect appears to be mediated by direct inhibition of AChE in LC leading to a rapid accumulation of ACh. Unhydrolyzed ACh tonically activates LC neurons via muscarinic receptors. Soman-induced activation of LC neurons does not require seizures. We conclude that depletion of forebrain and olfactory bulb NE after systemic administration of soman results from tonic hypercholinergic stimulation of LC.

Brain norepinephrine reductions in soman-intoxicated rats: association with convulsions and AChE inhibition, time course, and relation to other monoamines

The organophosphate chemical nerve agent, soman, causes convulsions, neuropathology, and, ultimately, death. A major problem in treating soman intoxication is that peripherally acting pharmacological agents which prevent death do not prevent seizures. Although a primary cause of these symptoms is the excess of acetylcholine which follows acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, centrally acting muscarinic blockers, such as atropine, alleviate, but do not block, the convulsive actions of soman. Moreover, there is a relatively weak relationship between CNS reductions of AChE and the incidence of convulsions. There is evidence suggesting that soman intoxication stimulates the release of norepinephrine (NE) in the brain. Recent evidence has implicated NE in the induction and/or maintenance of seizures. Thus, in the present study the relations among soman-induced convulsions, AChE inhibition, and brain NE and other monoamine changes were examined. The time course of brain NE recovery was also determined. Rats were injected (im) with a single dose (78 micrograms/kg) of soman. At this dose 68% of the injected rats developed convulsions. Both convulsive and nonconvulsive rats were sacrificed between 1 and 96 h following soman injection and NE levels in the rostral forebrain and olfactory bulb were determined by HPLC with electrochemical detection. In all convulsive rats NE levels declined substantially. Forebrain NE levels were decreased by 50% at 1 h and 70% at 2 h following soman injection. Recovery of NE began at 8 h and was complete by 96 h following soman administration. Although nonconvulsive rats showed other signs of intoxication, NE levels in these rats were unchanged. Dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) levels were not significantly affected in either convulsive or nonconvulsive rats. However, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, the major metabolite of 5-HT, and homovanillic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, the two major metabolites of DA, were increased significantly in the forebrain of convulsive, but not nonconvulsive rats, indicating an increase in 5-HT and DA turnover. However, in contrast to the abrupt decline in NE, these increases in DA and 5-HT metabolites were slow and progressive. Taken together, the present results and other recent findings suggest that rapid, sustained NE release could play a role in the induction and/or maintenance of soman-induced convulsions, whereas increased release of 5-HT and DA may be a consequence of seizures. Further investigation of the role of NE in soman-induced convulsions may lead to improved treatment of soman intoxication and a better understanding of the role of NE in other forms of seizures, including human epilepsy.

Regulation of transient dopamine concentration gradients in the microenvironment surrounding nerve terminals in the rat striatum

Synaptic overflow of dopamine in the striatum has been investigated during electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle in anesthetized rats. Dopamine has been detected with Nafion-coated, carbon-fiber electrodes used with fast-scan voltammetry. In accordance with previous results, dopamine synaptic overflow is a function of the stimulation frequency and the anatomical position of the carbon-fiber electrode. In some positions the concentration of dopamine is found to respond instantaneously to the stimulus when the time-delay for diffusion through the Nafion film is accounted for. In these locations the measured rates of change of dopamine are sufficiently rapid such that extracellular diffusion is not apparent. The rate of dopamine overflow can be described by a model in which each stimulus pulse causes instantaneous release, and cellular uptake decreases the concentration between stimulus pulses. Uptake is found to be described by a constant set of Michaelis-Menten kinetics at each location for concentrations of dopamine from 100 nM to 15 microM. The concentration of dopamine released per stimulus pulse is found to be greatest at low frequency (< or = 10 Hz) with stimulus trains, and with single-pulse stimulations in nomifensine-treated animals. The frequency dependence of release is not an effect of dopamine receptor activation; haloperidol (2.5 mg/kg) causes a uniform increase in release at all frequencies. The absence of diffusional effects in the measurement locations means that the constants determined with the electrode are those operant inside intact striatal tissue during stimulated overflow. These values are then extrapolated to the case where a single neuron fires alone. The extrapolation shows that while the transient concentration of dopamine may be high (200 nM) at the interface of the synapse and the extrasynaptic region, it is normally very low (< 6 nM) in the bulk of extracellular fluid.

Different firing patterns generated in dendrites and somata of CA1 pyramidal neurones in guinea-pig hippocampus

1. Intracellular recordings, taken from CA1 pyramidal cells in guinea-pig hippocampal slices, were used to examine the origins of repetitive and burst firing in these cells. Single action potentials were elicited by depolarizing current injection at somatic recording sites. In contrast, current injection during intradendritic recordings initiated burst firing in the dendrites. Burst firing could be elicited in the soma by direct depolarization of distal apical dendrites (> 150 microns from the cell body layer) with large extracellular polarizing electrodes. 2. Intracellular recordings were taken simultaneously from the apical dendrites and pyramidal cell somata with the intention of impaling the same neurone with both electrodes. Paired dendrite-soma recordings confirmed that rhythmic single action potentials were generated at the cell soma, whereas bursts of action potentials were initiated in the distal apical dendrites (> 150 microns from the cell body layer). Fast spikes in the dendrite often triggered fast spikes in the soma, but not all fast spikes in the dendritic burst were 'relayed' to the soma. 3. In paired recordings, when a dendritic action potential failed to elicit a full somatic action potential, a 'd-spike' was commonly recorded in the soma. Somatic d-spikes were uniform all-or-none responses that could be shown, in some cases, to trigger the full somatic action potentials. 4. Attenuated spikes could be recorded in the dendrites, triggered by action potentials initiated at the cell soma. Dendritic responses to somatic stimulation sometimes varied in amplitude, but always showed a direct correspondence with somatic action potentials. 5. Dendritic recordings taken closer to the pyramidal cell bodies (< 150 microns from the cell body layer) showed a 'transitional' region where single action potentials rather than burst discharges could be evoked. After-potentials of these single spikes differed from those associated with somatic spikes in that proximal dendritic spikes had depolarizing after-potentials. The observed shift from after-hyperpolarization to depolarizing after-potentials in intradendritic recordings taken progressively further from the cell body corresponds to the change from repetitive to burst firing. 6. The results indicate that activity of the CA1 pyramidal cell soma, presumably a reflection of its output, can be either burst or repetitive firing. Somatic 'bursts,' unlike the burst discharges seen in the apical dendrites or the burst discharges reported in CA3 cells, are not initiated locally. Rather, they appear to be simply a rapid spike-for-spike response by the soma to the fast spikes that form part of the apical dendritic burst.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

An enzymatic mechanism for potassium channel stimulation through pertussis-toxin-sensitive G proteins

Many neurotransmitters inhibit secretion from electrically excitable cells by activating pertussis-toxin-sensitive G proteins that modulate voltage-gated ion channels. Recent electrophysiological studies of metabolically intact cells from mammalian and molluscan neuroendocrine systems have implicated protein phosphatases in this process. In this article David Armstrong and Richard White review these studies and suggest a biochemical pathway that might link one of the G proteins to protein phosphatase activity.