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Faris P, Pischedda D, Palesi F, D’Angelo E. New clues for the role of cerebellum in schizophrenia and the associated cognitive impairment. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1386583. [PMID: 38799988 PMCID: PMC11116653 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1386583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SZ) is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder associated with severe cognitive dysfunction. Although research has mainly focused on forebrain abnormalities, emerging results support the involvement of the cerebellum in SZ physiopathology, particularly in Cognitive Impairment Associated with SZ (CIAS). Besides its role in motor learning and control, the cerebellum is implicated in cognition and emotion. Recent research suggests that structural and functional changes in the cerebellum are linked to deficits in various cognitive domains including attention, working memory, and decision-making. Moreover, cerebellar dysfunction is related to altered cerebellar circuit activities and connectivity with brain regions associated with cognitive processing. This review delves into the role of the cerebellum in CIAS. We initially consider the major forebrain alterations in CIAS, addressing impairments in neurotransmitter systems, synaptic plasticity, and connectivity. We then focus on recent findings showing that several mechanisms are also altered in the cerebellum and that cerebellar communication with the forebrain is impaired. This evidence implicates the cerebellum as a key component of circuits underpinning CIAS physiopathology. Further studies addressing cerebellar involvement in SZ and CIAS are warranted and might open new perspectives toward understanding the physiopathology and effective treatment of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawan Faris
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Doris Pischedda
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Fulvia Palesi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Egidio D’Angelo
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Digital Neuroscience Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
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Kim JE, Chae S, Kim S, Jung YJ, Kang MG, Heo WD, Kim D. Cerebellar 5HT-2A receptor mediates stress-induced onset of dystonia. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/10/eabb5735. [PMID: 33658190 PMCID: PMC7929497 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb5735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Stress is a key risk factor for dystonia, a debilitating motor disorder characterized by cocontractions of muscles leading to abnormal body posture. While the serotonin (5HT) system is known to control emotional responses to stress, its role in dystonia remains unclear. Here, we reveal that 5HT neurons in the dorsal raphe nuclei (DRN) send projections to the fastigial deep cerebellar nuclei (fDCN) and that photostimulation of 5HT-fDCN induces dystonia in wild-type mice. Moreover, we report that photoinhibition of 5HT-fDCN reduces dystonia in a1A tot/tot mice, a genetic model of stress-induced dystonia, and administration of a 5HT-2A receptor inverse agonist (MDL100907; 0.1 to 1 mg/kg) or shRNA-mediated knockdown of the ht2ar gene in fDCN can notably reduce the onset of dystonia in a1A tot/tot mice. These results support the serotonin theory of dystonia and suggest strategies for alleviating symptoms in human patients by blocking 5HT-2A receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Eun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Sujin Chae
- KAIST Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungsoo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon-Joo Jung
- Bio Core Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Myoung-Goo Kang
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Won Do Heo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
- KAIST Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Daesoo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea.
- KAIST Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
- Bio Core Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
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Severo RF, do Amaral CC, Garcia TF, Ferrúa CP, Corrêa GP, Klug AB, da Silva KD, Bastos CR, Britto Correa M, Ghisleni GC, Uchoa Vasconcelos AC, Tarquinio SBC, Nedel F. The T102C polymorphism of 5HT2A receptor in oral epithelial dysplasia: A pilot case-control study. Arch Oral Biol 2020; 113:104688. [PMID: 32146149 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2020.104688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE investigate the T102C polymorphism of 5HT2A receptor in dysplasia in oral potentially malignant lesions and its association with smoking and alcohol habits. METHODS case-control study that included patients with oral potentially malignant lesions (OPML) histopathologically diagnosed with dysplasia and healthy controls, and within these group patients with and without smoking and alcohol consumption habits. Cell samples from the oral lesions were collected with the patients previously anesthetized using disposable cytological brushes. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction was performed and the T102C polymorphism (rs6313) was genotyped in a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allelic discrimination assays. RESULTS 110 individuals were included in this study (38 with dysplasia and 72 controls). The genotype (p = 0.016), allele (p = 0.020) and smoking habits (<0.001) distribution differed significantly between dysplasia and control group, where the CT and TT (C - cytosine/ T - thymine) genotype and the T allele showed a higher frequency in dysplasia (65.6, 18.8 and 84.4 %, respectively) than in controls (55.7, 4.9 and 60.7). Concerning smoking habits, the higher frequency was in the dysplasia group. The multivariate logistic regression analysis, associating variables of interest and the presence of dysplasia, showed that individuals with smoking habits present 7.58 increase risk to develop dysplasia than non-smokers; and individuals carrying the T allele for the T102C polymorphism have a 4.6 increased risk to develop oral dysplasia in OPML. CONCLUSIONS the T102C polymorphism is associated with oral dysplasia in OPML, however, failed to show association with smoking and alcohol habits in OPML dysplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaely Ferreira Severo
- Graduate Program in Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96010-901, Brazil
| | - Cainá Corrêa do Amaral
- Graduate Program in Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96010-901, Brazil
| | - Tiago Fernandez Garcia
- Graduate Program in Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96010-901, Brazil
| | - Camila Perelló Ferrúa
- Graduate Program in Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96010-901, Brazil
| | - Geovanna Peter Corrêa
- Graduate Program in Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96010-901, Brazil
| | - Adriana Beiersdorff Klug
- Graduate Program in Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96010-901, Brazil
| | - Karine Duarte da Silva
- Graduate Program in Dentistry of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Clarissa Ribeiro Bastos
- Graduate Program in Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96010-901, Brazil
| | - Marcos Britto Correa
- Graduate Program in Dentistry of the Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96010-610, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Fernanda Nedel
- Graduate Program in Health and Behavior, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, 96010-901, Brazil.
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Scott EY, Woolard KD, Finno CJ, Murray JD. Cerebellar Abiotrophy Across Domestic Species. THE CEREBELLUM 2019; 17:372-379. [PMID: 29294214 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-017-0914-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Cerebellar abiotrophy (CA) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting the cerebellum and occurs in multiple species. Although CA is well researched in humans and mice, domestic species such as the dog, cat, sheep, cow, and horse receive little recognition. This may be due to few studies addressing the mechanism of CA in these species. However, valuable information can still be extracted from these cases. A review of the clinicohistologic phenotype of CA in these species and determining the various etiologies of CA may aid in determining conserved and required pathways necessary for proper cerebellar development and function. This review outlines research approaches of studies of CA in domestic species, compared to the approaches used in mice, with the objective of comparing CA in domestic species while identifying areas for further research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Yuki Scott
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Meyer Hall, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Kevin Douglas Woolard
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Carrie J Finno
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - James D Murray
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Meyer Hall, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
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Developmental Changes in Serotonergic Modulation of GABAergic Synaptic Transmission and Postsynaptic GABA A Receptor Composition in the Cerebellar Nuclei. THE CEREBELLUM 2019; 17:346-358. [PMID: 29349630 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-018-0922-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Outputs from the cerebellar nuclei (CN) are important for generating and controlling movement. The activity of CN neurons is controlled not only by excitatory inputs from mossy and climbing fibers and by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-based inhibitory transmission from Purkinje cells in the cerebellar cortex but is also modulated by inputs from other brain regions, including serotonergic fibers that originate in the dorsal raphe nuclei. We examined the modulatory effects of serotonin (5-HT) on GABAergic synapses during development, using rat cerebellar slices. As previously reported, 5-HT presynaptically decreased the amplitudes of stimulation-evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in CN neurons, with this effect being stronger in slices from younger animals (postnatal days [P] 11-13) than in slices from older animals (P19-21). GABA release probabilities accordingly exhibited significant decreases from P11-13 to P19-21. Although there was a strong correlation between the GABA release probability and the magnitude of 5-HT-induced inhibition, manipulating the release probability by changing extracellular Ca2+ concentrations failed to control the extent of 5-HT-induced inhibition. We also found that the IPSCs exhibited slower kinetics at P11-13 than at P19-21. Pharmacological and molecular biological tests revealed that IPSC kinetics were largely determined by the prevalence of α1 subunits within GABAA receptors. In summary, pre- and postsynaptic developmental changes in serotonergic modulation and GABAergic synaptic transmission occur during the second to third postnatal weeks and may significantly contribute to the formation of normal adult cerebellar function.
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Fleming E, Hull C. Serotonin regulates dynamics of cerebellar granule cell activity by modulating tonic inhibition. J Neurophysiol 2018; 121:105-114. [PMID: 30281395 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00492.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how afferent information is integrated by cortical structures requires identifying the factors shaping excitation and inhibition within their input layers. The input layer of the cerebellar cortex integrates diverse sensorimotor information to enable learned associations that refine the dynamics of movement. Specifically, mossy fiber afferents relay sensorimotor input into the cerebellum to excite granule cells, whose activity is regulated by inhibitory Golgi cells. To test how this integration can be modulated, we have used an acute brain slice preparation from young adult rats and found that encoding of mossy fiber input in the cerebellar granule cell layer can be regulated by serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) via a specific action on Golgi cells. We find that 5-HT depolarizes Golgi cells, likely by activating 5-HT2A receptors, but does not directly act on either granule cells or mossy fibers. As a result of Golgi cell depolarization, 5-HT significantly increases tonic inhibition onto both granule cells and Golgi cells. 5-HT-mediated Golgi cell depolarization is not sufficient, however, to alter the probability or timing of mossy fiber-evoked feed-forward inhibition onto granule cells. Together, increased granule cell tonic inhibition paired with normal feed-forward inhibition acts to reduce granule cell spike probability without altering spike timing. Hence, these data provide a circuit mechanism by which 5-HT can reduce granule cell activity without altering temporal representations of mossy fiber input. Such changes in network integration could enable flexible, state-specific suppression of cerebellar sensorimotor input that should not be learned or enable reversal learning for unwanted associations. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) regulates synaptic integration at the input stage of cerebellar processing by increasing tonic inhibition of granule cells. This circuit mechanism reduces the probability of granule cell spiking without altering spike timing, thus suppressing cerebellar input without altering its temporal representation in the granule cell layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Fleming
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical School , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Court Hull
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical School , Durham, North Carolina
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Corbière A, Walet-Balieu ML, Chan P, Basille-Dugay M, Hardouin J, Vaudry D. A Peptidomic Approach to Characterize Peptides Involved in Cerebellar Cortex Development Leads to the Identification of the Neurotrophic Effects of Nociceptin. Mol Cell Proteomics 2018; 17:1737-1749. [PMID: 29895708 PMCID: PMC6126386 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra117.000184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum is a brain structure involved in motor and cognitive functions. The development of the cerebellar cortex (the external part of the cerebellum) is under the control of numerous factors. Among these factors, neuropeptides including PACAP or somatostatin modulate the survival, migration and/or differentiation of cerebellar granule cells. Interestingly, such peptides contributing to cerebellar ontogenesis usually exhibit a specific transient expression profile with a low abundance at birth, a high expression level during the developmental processes, which take place within the first two postnatal weeks in rodents, and a gradual decline toward adulthood. Thus, to identify new peptides transiently expressed in the cerebellum during development, rat cerebella were sampled from birth to adulthood, and analyzed by a semi-quantitative peptidomic approach. A total of 33 peptides were found to be expressed in the cerebellum. Among these 33 peptides, 8 had a clear differential expression pattern during development, 4 of them i.e. cerebellin 2, nociceptin, somatostatin and VGF [353-372], exhibiting a high expression level during the first two postnatal weeks followed by a significative decrease at adulthood. A focus by a genomic approach on nociceptin, confirmed that its precursor mRNA is transiently expressed during the first week of life in granule neurons within the internal granule cell layer of the cerebellum, and showed that the nociceptin receptor is also actively expressed between P8 and P16 by the same neurons. Finally, functional studies revealed a new role for nociceptin, acting as a neurotrophic peptide able to promote the survival and differentiation of developing cerebellar granule neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auriane Corbière
- From the ‡Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Inserm, Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Communication and Differentiation, Neuropeptides, Neuronal death and Cell plasticity team, 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Marie-Laure Walet-Balieu
- §Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Rouen Proteomic Platform (PISSARO), Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Philippe Chan
- §Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Rouen Proteomic Platform (PISSARO), Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Magali Basille-Dugay
- From the ‡Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Inserm, Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Communication and Differentiation, Neuropeptides, Neuronal death and Cell plasticity team, 76000 Rouen, France
| | - Julie Hardouin
- §Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Rouen Proteomic Platform (PISSARO), Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), 76000 Rouen, France
| | - David Vaudry
- From the ‡Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Inserm, Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Communication and Differentiation, Neuropeptides, Neuronal death and Cell plasticity team, 76000 Rouen, France;
- §Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Rouen Proteomic Platform (PISSARO), Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), 76000 Rouen, France
- ¶Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Regional Cell Imaging Platform of Normandy (PRIMACEN), 76000 Rouen, France
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Hoxha E, Lippiello P, Scelfo B, Tempia F, Ghirardi M, Miniaci MC. Maturation, Refinement, and Serotonergic Modulation of Cerebellar Cortical Circuits in Normal Development and in Murine Models of Autism. Neural Plast 2017; 2017:6595740. [PMID: 28894610 PMCID: PMC5574313 DOI: 10.1155/2017/6595740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of the complex cerebellar cortical circuits follows different phases, with initial synaptogenesis and subsequent processes of refinement guided by a variety of mechanisms. The regularity of the cellular and synaptic organization of the cerebellar cortex allowed detailed studies of the structural plasticity mechanisms underlying the formation of new synapses and retraction of redundant ones. For the attainment of the monoinnervation of the Purkinje cell by a single climbing fiber, several signals are involved, including electrical activity, contact signals, homosynaptic and heterosynaptic interaction, calcium transients, postsynaptic receptors, and transduction pathways. An important role in this developmental program is played by serotonergic projections that, acting on temporally and spatially regulated postsynaptic receptors, induce and modulate the phases of synaptic formation and maturation. In the adult cerebellar cortex, many developmental mechanisms persist but play different roles, such as supporting synaptic plasticity during learning and formation of cerebellar memory traces. A dysfunction at any stage of this process can lead to disorders of cerebellar origin, which include autism spectrum disorders but are not limited to motor deficits. Recent evidence in animal models links impairment of Purkinje cell function with autism-like symptoms including sociability deficits, stereotyped movements, and interspecific communication by vocalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eriola Hoxha
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Torino, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Bibiana Scelfo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Filippo Tempia
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Torino, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
- National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), Torino, Italy
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Monoaminergic modulation of GABAergic transmission onto cerebellar globular cells. Neuropharmacology 2017; 118:79-89. [PMID: 28300552 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 03/04/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) project their axon collaterals to underneath of the PC layer and make GABAergic synaptic contacts with globular cells, a subgroup of Lugaro cells. GABAergic transmission derived from the PC axon collaterals is so powerful that it could inhibit globular cells and regulate their firing patterns. However, the physiological properties and implications of the GABAergic synapses on globular cells remain unknown. Using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from globular cells in the mouse cerebellum, we examined the monoaminergic modulation of GABAergic inputs to these cells. Application of either serotonin (5-HT) or noradrenaline (NA) excited globular cells, thereby leading to their firing. The 5-HT- and NA-induced firing was temporally confined and attenuated by GABAergic transmission, although 5-HT and NA exerted an inhibitory effect on the release of GABA from presynaptic terminals of PC axon collaterals. Agonists for 5-HT1B receptors and α2-adrenoceptors mimicked the 5-HT- and NA-induced suppression of GABAergic activity. Through their differential modulatory actions on the cerebellar inhibitory neural circuits, 5-HT facilitated PC firing, whereas NA suppressed it. These results indicate that 5-HT and NA regulate the membrane excitability of globular cells and PCs through their differential modulation of not only the membrane potential but also GABAergic synaptic circuits. Monoaminergic modulation of the neural connections between globular cells and PCs could play a role in cerebellar motor coordination.
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Hoxha E, Tempia F, Lippiello P, Miniaci MC. Modulation, Plasticity and Pathophysiology of the Parallel Fiber-Purkinje Cell Synapse. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2016; 8:35. [PMID: 27857688 PMCID: PMC5093118 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2016.00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The parallel fiber-Purkinje cell (PF-PC) synapse represents the point of maximal signal divergence in the cerebellar cortex with an estimated number of about 60 billion synaptic contacts in the rat and 100,000 billions in humans. At the same time, the Purkinje cell dendritic tree is a site of remarkable convergence of more than 100,000 parallel fiber synapses. Parallel fiber activity generates fast postsynaptic currents via α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, and slower signals, mediated by mGlu1 receptors, resulting in Purkinje cell depolarization accompanied by sharp calcium elevation within dendritic regions. Long-term depression (LTD) and long-term potentiation (LTP) have been widely described for the PF-PC synapse and have been proposed as mechanisms for motor learning. The mechanisms of induction for LTP and LTD involve different signaling mechanisms within the presynaptic terminal and/or at the postsynaptic site, promoting enduring modification in the neurotransmitter release and change in responsiveness to the neurotransmitter. The PF-PC synapse is finely modulated by several neurotransmitters, including serotonin, noradrenaline and acetylcholine. The ability of these neuromodulators to gate LTP and LTD at the PF-PC synapse could, at least in part, explain their effect on cerebellar-dependent learning and memory paradigms. Overall, these findings have important implications for understanding the cerebellar involvement in a series of pathological conditions, ranging from ataxia to autism. For example, PF-PC synapse dysfunctions have been identified in several murine models of spino-cerebellar ataxia (SCA) types 1, 3, 5 and 27. In some cases, the defect is specific for the AMPA receptor signaling (SCA27), while in others the mGlu1 pathway is affected (SCA1, 3, 5). Interestingly, the PF-PC synapse has been shown to be hyper-functional in a mutant mouse model of autism spectrum disorder, with a selective deletion of Pten in Purkinje cells. However, the full range of methodological approaches, that allowed the discovery of the physiological principles of PF-PC synapse function, has not yet been completely exploited to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms of diseases involving the cerebellum. We, therefore, propose to extend the spectrum of experimental investigations to tackle this problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eriola Hoxha
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO) and Department of Neuroscience, University of TorinoTorino, Italy
| | - Filippo Tempia
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO) and Department of Neuroscience, University of TorinoTorino, Italy
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Brandalise F, Lujan R, Leone R, Lodola F, Cesaroni V, Romano C, Gerber U, Rossi P. Distinct expression patterns of inwardly rectifying potassium currents in developing cerebellar granule cells of the hemispheres and the vermis. Eur J Neurosci 2016; 43:1460-73. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Brandalise
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology; University of Pavia; via Ferrata 9 27100 Pavia Italy
- Brain Research Institute; University of Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - Rafael Lujan
- Instituto de Investigación en Discapacidades Neurológicas (IDINE); Department of Ciencias Médicas; Facultad de Medicina; Universidad Castilla-La Mancha; Albacete Spain
| | - Roberta Leone
- Brain Research Institute; University of Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - Francesco Lodola
- Molecular Cardiology; IRCCS Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri; Pavia Italy
| | - Valentina Cesaroni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology; University of Pavia; via Ferrata 9 27100 Pavia Italy
| | - Chiara Romano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology; University of Pavia; via Ferrata 9 27100 Pavia Italy
| | - Urs Gerber
- Brain Research Institute; University of Zurich; Zurich Switzerland
| | - Paola Rossi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology; University of Pavia; via Ferrata 9 27100 Pavia Italy
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