Increase of the hippocampal theta activity in the Morris water maze reflects learning rather than motor activity

Stimulation of spinal cord according to recorded theta hippocampal rhythm during rat move on treadmill

OBJECTIVES

Several studies have revealed that after spinal cord injury (SCI), in acute and sub-acute phase the spinal cord neurons below the injury are alive and could stimulate by use of electrical pulses. Spinal cord electrical stimulation could generate movement for paralyzed limbs and is a rehabilitation strategy for paralyzed patients. An innovative idea for controlling spinal cord electrical stimulation onset time is presented in current study.

METHODS

In our method, the time of applying electrical pulse on the spinal cord is according to rat behavioral movement and two movements behaviors are recognized only based on rat EEG theta rhythm on the treadmill line. Briefly, 5 rats were placed on the treadmill and the animals experienced zero or 12 m/min speeds.

RESULTS

These speeds were recognized based on EEG signals and off-line periodogram analysis. Finally, the electrical stimulation pulses had been applied to the spinal cord if the results of the EEG analysis had detected running behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings may guide future research in utilizing theta rhythms for the recognition of animal motor behavior and designing electrical stimulation systems based on it.

Older rats show slow modulation of hippocampal theta rhythm during voluntary running

Aging causes brain function degeneration and slows many motor and behavioural responses. The hippocampal theta rhythm (4-12 Hz) is related to cognition and locomotion. However, the findings on aging-related changes in the frequency and amplitude of hippocampal theta oscillations have been inconsistent. We hypothesized that older rats have slower responses in terms of hippocampal theta rhythm during voluntary wheel running than do young adult rats. By simultaneously recording electroencephalography and physical activity (PA), we evaluated theta oscillations in 8-week-old (young adult) and 60-week-old (middle-aged) rats before and during wheel running, which was conducted only during the rats' 12-h dark period. To test the alterations of hippocampal theta rhythm in voluntary wheel running, we analyzed the signals without (8-s) or with (2-s) chronological order. No significant difference was observed in total frequency (TP, 4-12 Hz), low-frequency (LT, 4-6.5 Hz), or high-frequency (9.5-12 Hz) theta activity between active waking and overall running in either group. The theta oscillations were slower in the middle-aged rats than in the young adult rats during wheel running but increased during running for both age groups. During wheel running, the middle-aged rats exhibited an increased LT, which was related to PA. On the basis of the chronological order of running, the young adult rats exhibited increased TP, and the middle-aged rats exhibited significant increases in middle-frequency (MT, 6.5-9.5 Hz) theta activity. The dominant modulations of MT in the middle-aged rats may have caused nonsignificant changes in total activity. These between-group differences in theta rhythm characteristics during voluntary running provide insights into age-related brain function decline.

Pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures are followed by a reduction in the multiunitary activity of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in adult rats

Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) blocks the inhibitory action of GABA, triggering a Glu-mediated hyperexcitation of the dendritic spines in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons that leads to the generation of epileptiform seizures. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of PTZ on the electrical activity of the hippocampal pyramidal neurons in male rats. Bipolar electrodes were implanted stereotaxically in the right and left hippocampal CA1 fields of adults, and PTZ (65 mg/kg) was administered i.p. Simultaneous recordings of the field activity and the firing rate (multiunitary activity, MUA) were analyzed at 10, 20, and 30 min post-administration of PTZ. Only rats that presented tonic-clonic seizures during the first 1-5 min after PTZ treatment were included in the study. The recordings of the field activity were analyzed in 4 frequency bands. In both the right and left hippocampal CA1 fields, the relative power corresponding to the slow waves (4-7 Hz) increased, while in the bands 13-30 Hz and 31-50 Hz, it decreased at 10, 20, and 30 min post-PTZ. MUA recordings were analyzed at four levels. The highest levels corresponded to larger amplitudes of the action potentials in the pyramidal neurons. The firing rates of the PTZ-treated rats did not differ from baseline but presented a significant decrement at 10, 20, and 30 min post-PTZ. The decreased firing rate of the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons after PTZ treatment could be associated with plastic changes of dendritic spines along with some microenvironmental adaptations at synaptic level, after neuronal PTZ-mediated hyperexcitation.

Septal medial/diagonal band of Broca citalopram infusion reduces place learning efficiency and alters septohippocampal theta learning-related activity in rats

Increases in power and frequency of hippocampal theta activity have been related to efficient place learning and memory acquisition in hippocampal-dependent tests. The complex medial septum-diagonal band of Broca (MS/DBB) is the pacemaker of hippocampal theta activity, influenced by the ascending synchronizing system, and modulated by serotonergic raphe medial afferents, acting on cholinergic and GABAergic septal neurons. The suppression of hippocampal theta expression and the modulation of hippocampal learning and memory are attributed to serotonin. To simultaneously test these hypotheses, a daily local serotonin increase was induced by citalopram (CIT) infusion (100 µM, 0.88 µl, 0.2 µl/m) 15 min before training in the Morris water maze. The theta activity was recorded in the MS/DBB, dentate gyrus (DG) and CA1 of one group infused with artificial cerebrospinal liquid (ACL) and the other with CIT on Days 1-6 of training. After a probe trial (Day 7) and one resting day, the treatments were reversed (Days 8-11). The CIT MS/DBB infusion in the first 6 training days reduced the efficiency of spatial learning in association with reduced power in the DG, reduced MS/DBB-DG coherence, increased DG-CA1 coherence, and a lack of a negative correlation between MS/DBB power and swam distances. No effect of the CIT occurred once the information was acquired under ACL training. These results support a role of serotonin, in acting on the MS/DBB in the fine tuning of hippocampal learning and memory efficiency through the modulation of learning-related theta activity power and septohipocampal synchronization.

Roles of sleep-related cardiovascular autonomic functions in voluntary-exercise-induced alleviation of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Autonomic dysfunction and sleep problems are closely associated with hypertension and predict cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Animal studies and clinical observations have identified exercise as an important factor in preventing and treating hypertension. However, the roles of autonomic function and sleep in the antihypertensive mechanisms of exercise are still not fully understood. This study aimed to clarify the physiological mechanisms associated with autonomic function and sleep through wheel exercise. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were grouped into a wheel-exercised group and a sedentary group (controls). Electroencephalogram, electromyogram, electrocardiogram, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded simultaneously for 24 h once a week over 11 weeks. Wheel exercise was initiated in the SHRs at 12 weeks old and continued for another eight weeks. A significant suppression in the age-related elevation of MAP was noted in the SHRs undergoing wheel exercise. The reduction in MAP was correlated with increased parasympathetic activity and baroreflex sensitivity and decreased sympathetic activity, mainly during quiet sleep. Exercise increased the paradoxical sleep time and theta power (associated with cognitive function) but not the delta power (an indicator of sleep depth) or the attenuation of circadian rhythm flattening (characterized by increased wakefulness and less sleep during the light period and the opposite during the dark period). Furthermore, the exercise-induced changes in autonomic function occurred before those in sleep patterns, which were dependent on each other. In conclusion, wheel exercise can modulate sleep-related cardiovascular dysfunction and the flattening of circadian rhythm, preventing the progression of hypertension, which reduces the incidence of cardiovascular diseases.

From mechanisms to functions: The role of theta and gamma coherence in the intrahippocampal circuits

Brain rhythms are essential for information processing in neuronal networks. Oscillations recorded in different brain regions can be synchronized and have a constant phase difference, that is, they can be coherent. Coherence between local field potential (LFP) signals from different brain regions may be correlated with the performance of cognitive tasks, indicating that these regions of the brain are jointly involved in the information processing. Why does coherence occur and how is it related to the information transfer between different regions of the hippocampal formation? In this article, we discuss possible mechanisms of theta and gamma coherence and its role in the hippocampus-dependent attention and memory processes, since theta and gamma rhythms are most pronounced in these processes. We review in vivo studies of interactions between different regions of the hippocampal formation in theta and gamma frequency bands. The key propositions of the review are as follows: (1) coherence emerges from synchronous postsynaptic currents in principal neurons as a result of synchronization of neuronal spike activity; (2) the synchronization of neuronal spike patterns in two regions of the hippocampal formation can be realized through induction or resonance; (3) coherence at a specific time point reflects the transfer of information between the regions of the hippocampal formation; (4) the physiological roles of theta and gamma coherence are different due to their different functions and mechanisms of generation. All hippocampal neurons are involved in theta activity, and theta coherence arranges the firing order of principal neurons throughout the hippocampal formation. In contrast, gamma coherence reflects the coupling of active neuronal ensembles. Overall, the coherence of LFPs between different areas of the brain is an important physiological process based on the synchronized neuronal firing, and it is essential for cooperative information processing.

Voluntary exercise enhances hippocampal theta rhythm and cognition in the rat

Regular exercise promotes learning and memory functions. Theta activity is known to relate to various cognitive functions. An increase in theta power may be related to higher cognitive functioning and learning functions. However, evidence is lacking to directly confirm that exercise training can increase the theta activity and promote various cognitive functions simultaneously. We hypothesize that long-term voluntary exercise increases the activity of hippocampal theta rhythm and enhances memory behavior. We used the voluntary wheel running model and a training period of 8 weeks. We started the training when the rats were 12 weeks old. Before and after intervention, we performed a 24 -h electrophysiological recording and 8-arm radial maze test to analyze the hippocampal theta rhythm in awake stage, and spatial memory functions. We discovered that middle to high range frequency (6.5-12 Hz) of theta power was increased after exercise intervention. In addition, the working memory error of 8-arm radial maze test in the exercise group decreased significantly after the 8 weeks of treatment, and these reductions were negatively correlated with hippocampal theta activity. Our results demonstrate that 8-weeks voluntary exercise increases both hippocampal theta amplitude and spatial memory in the rats.

Aging Alters Olfactory Bulb Network Oscillations and Connectivity: Relevance for Aging-Related Neurodegeneration Studies

The aging process eventually cause a breakdown in critical synaptic plasticity and connectivity leading to deficits in memory function. The olfactory bulb (OB) and the hippocampus, both regions of the brain considered critical for the processing of odors and spatial memory, are commonly affected by aging. Using an aged wild-type C57B/6 mouse model, we sought to define the effects of aging on hippocampal plasticity and the integrity of cortical circuits. Specifically, we measured the long-term potentiation of high-frequency stimulation (HFS-LTP) at the Shaffer-Collateral CA1 pyramidal synapses. Next, local field potential (LFP) spectra, phase-amplitude theta-gamma coupling (PAC), and connectivity through coherence were assessed in the olfactory bulb, frontal and entorhinal cortices, CA1, and amygdala circuits. The OB of aged mice showed a significant increase in the number of histone H2AX-positive neurons, a marker of DNA damage. While the input-output relationship measure of basal synaptic activity was found not to differ between young and aged mice, a pronounced decline in the slope of field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) and the population spike amplitude (PSA) were found in aged mice. Furthermore, aging was accompanied by deficits in gamma network oscillations, a shift to slow oscillations, reduced coherence and theta-gamma PAC in the OB circuit. Thus, while the basal synaptic activity was unaltered in older mice, impairment in hippocampal synaptic transmission was observed only in response to HFS. However, age-dependent alterations in neural network appeared spontaneously in the OB circuit, suggesting the neurophysiological basis of synaptic deficits underlying olfactory processing. Taken together, the results highlight the sensitivity and therefore potential use of LFP quantitative network oscillations and connectivity at the OB level as objective electrophysiological markers that will help reveal specific dysfunctional circuits in aging-related neurodegeneration studies.

Behaviour consistency is a sensitive tool for distinguishing the effects of aging on physical activity

We attempted to establish a novel parameter of behaviour consistency to help determine the effect of age on physical activity. Using the speed of movement to quantify behaviour might not be sufficient to determine this effect. The slowing of motor activities that occurs with aging is related to the decline of the aging brain. Previous studies have found different running-related hippocampal theta rhythm responses in the aging and exercise model. Therefore, we hypothesized that a familiarity with the environment and physical strength affect behavioural consistency in rats during running exercises. For this study, we used a treadmill and 30-minute running test at constant speeds and compared changes in the triaxial accelerometer and hippocampal theta rhythm between adult and middle-aged rats. No significant differences in RR intervals, mean cross-correlations (MCCs), or the proportion of good correlation coefficient (PGCC) were observed between adult and middle-aged rats in awake states before running on the treadmill. The root mean square (RMS) of the triaxial acceleration vectors in middle-aged rats was higher than that in adult rats. In the treadmill running tests, the RMS observed in middle-aged rats was significantly lower than that observed in adult rats. MCC and PGCC, which indicate movement consistencies, were significantly higher in middle-aged rats than they were in adult rats during the entire running test. However, only the RMS of the adult rats showed a negative correlation with exercise duration. Both MCC and PGCC were positively correlated with exercise duration. By contrast, a similar phenomenon was not found in the changes or differences in hippocampal theta rhythms between these two groups. Therefore, we consider that the MCC and PGCC could distinguish age-related movement differences and indicate coordination/adaptation during exercise. Changes in physical activity and alterations in the hippocampal theta rhythm were not different between the groups.

Functionally distinct high and low theta oscillations in the human hippocampus

Based on rodent models, researchers have theorized that the hippocampus supports episodic memory and navigation via the theta oscillation, a ~4-10 Hz rhythm that coordinates brain-wide neural activity. However, recordings from humans have indicated that hippocampal theta oscillations are lower in frequency and less prevalent than in rodents, suggesting interspecies differences in theta's function. To characterize human hippocampal theta, we examine the properties of theta oscillations throughout the anterior-posterior length of the hippocampus as neurosurgical subjects performed a virtual spatial navigation task. During virtual movement, we observe hippocampal oscillations at multiple frequencies from 2 to 14 Hz. The posterior hippocampus prominently displays oscillations at ~8-Hz and the precise frequency of these oscillations correlates with the speed of movement, implicating these signals in spatial navigation. We also observe slower ~3 Hz oscillations, but these signals are more prevalent in the anterior hippocampus and their frequency does not vary with movement speed. Our results converge with recent findings to suggest an updated view of human hippocampal electrophysiology. Rather than one hippocampal theta oscillation with a single general role, high- and low-frequency theta oscillations, respectively, may reflect spatial and non-spatial cognitive processes.

Neonatal Monosodium Glutamate Administration Disrupts Place Learning and Alters Hippocampal-Prefrontal Learning-Related Theta Activity in the Adult Rat

Neonatal treatment with monosodium glutamate causes profound deficits in place learning and memory in adult rats evaluated in the Morris maze. Theta activity has been related to hippocampal learning, and increased high-frequency theta activity occurs through efficient place learning training in the Morris maze. We wondered whether the place learning deficits observed in adult rats that had been neonatally treated with monosodium glutamate (MSG), were related to altered theta patterns in the hippocampus and prelimbic cortex, which were recorded during place learning training in the Morris maze. The MSG-treated group had a profound deficit in place learning ability, with a marginal reduction in escape latencies during the final days of training. Learning-related changes were observed in the relative power distribution in control and MSG-treated groups in the hippocampal EEG, but not in the prelimbic cortex. Increased prefrontal and reduced hippocampal absolute power that appeared principally during the final days of training, and reduced coherence between regions throughout the training (4-12 Hz), were observed in the MSG-treated rats, thereby suggesting a misfunction of the circuits rather than a hyperexcitable general state. In conclusion, neonatal administration of MSG, which caused a profound deficit in place learning at the adult age, also altered the theta pattern both in the hippocampus and prelimbic cortex.

The role of the hippocampal theta rhythm in non-spatial discrimination and associative learning task

The configural association theory and the conflict resolution model propose that hippocampal function is involved in learning negative patterning tasks (A+, B+, AB-). The first theory suggests a critical role of the hippocampus in the formation of configural representations of compound stimuli, in which stimuli A and B are presented simultaneously. The second theory hypothesizes that the hippocampus is important for inhibiting the response to a stimulus that is in conflict with response tendencies. Although these theories propose different interpretations of the link between hippocampal function and non-spatial discrimination tasks, they both predict that the hippocampus is involved in the information processing of compound stimuli in negative patterning tasks. Recently, our electrophysiological approach has shown that the hippocampal theta power correlate with response inhibition in a negative patterning task, positive patterning, simultaneous/serial feature negative task. These findings provide strong support for the assumption of the conflict resolution model that the role of the hippocampus in learning is to inhibit responses to conflicting stimuli during non-spatial stimulus discrimination tasks.

Non-invasive Investigation of Human Hippocampal Rhythms Using Magnetoencephalography: A Review

Hippocampal rhythms are believed to support crucial cognitive processes including memory, navigation, and language. Due to the location of the hippocampus deep in the brain, studying hippocampal rhythms using non-invasive magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings has generally been assumed to be methodologically challenging. However, with the advent of whole-head MEG systems in the 1990s and development of advanced source localization techniques, simulation and empirical studies have provided evidence that human hippocampal signals can be sensed by MEG and reliably reconstructed by source localization algorithms. This paper systematically reviews simulation studies and empirical evidence of the current capacities and limitations of MEG “deep source imaging” of the human hippocampus. Overall, these studies confirm that MEG provides a unique avenue to investigate human hippocampal rhythms in cognition, and can bridge the gap between animal studies and human hippocampal research, as well as elucidate the functional role and the behavioral correlates of human hippocampal oscillations.

The effect of pharmacological inactivation of the mammillary body and anterior thalamic nuclei on hippocampal theta rhythm in urethane-anesthetized rats

The mammillary body (MB) and the anterior thalamic nuclei (ATN) are closely related structures, which take part in learning and memory processes. However, the exact role of these structures has remained unclear. In both structures neurons firing according to hippocampal theta rhythm have been found, mainly in the medial mammillary nucleus (MM) and anteroventral thalamic nucleus (AV). These neurons are driven by descending projections from the hippocampal formation and are thought to convey theta rhythm back to the hippocampus (HP). We argue that the MB-ATN axis not only relays theta signal, but may also modulate it. To examine it, we performed a pharmacological inactivation of the MM and AV by local infusion of procaine, and measured changes in theta activity in selected structures of the extended hippocampal system in urethane-anesthetized rats. The inactivation of the MM resulted in decrease in EEG power in the HP and AV, the most evidently in the lower theta frequency bands, i.e. 3-5Hz in the HP (down to 9.2% in 3- to 4-Hz band and 37.6% in 4- to 5-Hz band, in comparison to the power in the control conditions) and 3-4Hz in the AV (down to 24.9%). After the AV inactivation, hippocampal EEG power decreased in theta frequency bands of 3-8Hz (down to 61.6% in 6- to 7-Hz band and 69.4% in 7- to 8-Hz band). Our results suggest that the role of the MB-ATN axis in regulating theta rhythm signaling may be much more important than has been speculated so far.

Extinction of Contextual Fear with Timed Exposure to Enriched Environment: A Differential Effect

BACKGROUND

Extinction of fear memory depends on the environmental and emotional cues. Furthermore, consolidation of extinction is also dependent on the environmental exposure. But, the relationship of the time of the exposure to a variety of environmental cues is not well known. The important region involved in facilitation of extinction of fear memory is through diversion of the flow of information leaving the lateral nucleus of amygdala.

PURPOSE

The study aimed to address a question to explain how these brain regions react to environmental stimulation during the retention and extinction of fear memory.

METHODS

An enriched environment (EE) is assumed to mediate extinction of fear memory, we examined the apparent discrepancy between the effects of defensive response, the freezing behavior induced by Pavlovian classical fear conditioning by subjecting them to variance in the timing to EE. The different timing of EE exposure was 10 days of EE either before fear conditioning and/or after extinction training to the rats. The local field potentials was recorded from CA1 hippocampus, lateral nucleus of amygdala and infralimbic region of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) during the fear learning and extinction from the control rats and rats exposed to EE before and after fear conditioning.

RESULTS

Exposure to EE before the fear conditioning and after extinction training was more effective in the extinction fear memory. In addition, we also found switching from exploratory locomotion to freezing during retention of contextual fear memory which was associated with decreased theta power and reduced synchronized theta oscillations in CA1-hippocampus, lateral nucleus of amygdala, and infralimbic region of mPFC.

CONCLUSION

Thus, we propose that the timing of exposure to EE play a key role in the extinction of fear memory.

The functional role of human right hippocampal/parahippocampal theta rhythm in environmental encoding during virtual spatial navigation

Low frequency theta band oscillations (4-8 Hz) are thought to provide a timing mechanism for hippocampal place cell firing and to mediate the formation of spatial memory. In rodents, hippocampal theta has been shown to play an important role in encoding a new environment during spatial navigation, but a similar functional role of hippocampal theta in humans has not been firmly established. To investigate this question, we recorded healthy participants' brain responses with a 160-channel whole-head MEG system as they performed two training sets of a virtual Morris water maze task. Environment layouts (except for platform locations) of the two sets were kept constant to measure theta activity during spatial learning in new and familiar environments. In line with previous findings, left hippocampal/parahippocampal theta showed more activation navigating to a hidden platform relative to random swimming. Consistent with our hypothesis, right hippocampal/parahippocampal theta was stronger during the first training set compared to the second one. Notably, theta in this region during the first training set correlated with spatial navigation performance across individuals in both training sets. These results strongly argue for the functional importance of right hippocampal theta in initial encoding of configural properties of an environment during spatial navigation. Our findings provide important evidence that right hippocampal/parahippocampal theta activity is associated with environmental encoding in the human brain. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1347-1361, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Modulation of Kv7 channels and excitability in the brain

Neuronal Kv7 channels underlie a voltage-gated non-inactivating potassium current known as the M-current. Due to its particular characteristics, Kv7 channels show pronounced control over the excitability of neurons. We will discuss various factors that have been shown to drastically alter the activity of this channel such as protein and phospholipid interactions, phosphorylation, calcium, and numerous neurotransmitters. Kv7 channels locate to key areas for the control of action potential initiation and propagation. Moreover, we will explore the dynamic surface expression of the channel modulated by neurotransmitters and neural activity. We will also focus on known principle functions of neural Kv7 channels: control of resting membrane potential and spiking threshold, setting the firing frequency, afterhyperpolarization after burst firing, theta resonance, and transient hyperexcitability from neurotransmitter-induced suppression of the M-current. Finally, we will discuss the contribution of altered Kv7 activity to pathologies such as epilepsy and cognitive deficits.

Hippocampal strata theta oscillations change their frequency and coupling during spatial learning

The theta rhythm is necessary for hippocampal-dependent spatial learning. It has been proposed that each hippocampal stratum can generate a current theta dipole. Therefore, considering that each hippocampal circuit (CA1, CA3, and Dentate Gyrus (DG)) contributes differently to distinct aspects of a spatial memory, the theta oscillations on each stratum and their couplings may exhibit oscillatory dynamics associated with different stages of learning. To test this hypothesis, the theta oscillations from five hippocampal strata were recorded in the rat during different stages of learning in a Morris maze. The peak power, the relative power (RP) and the coherence between hippocampal strata were analyzed. The early acquisition stage of the Morris task was characterized by the predominance of slow frequency theta activity and high coupling between specific hippocampal strata at slow frequencies. However, on the last training day, the theta oscillations were faster in all hippocampal strata, with tighter coupling at fast frequencies between the CA3 pyramidal stratum and other strata. Our results suggest that modifications to the theta frequency and its coupling can be a means by which the hippocampus differentially operates during acquisition and retrieval states.

Differences in EEG power in young and mature healthy adults during an incidental/spatial learning task are related to age and execution efficiency

The differential characteristics of absolute power in the EEG theta (4-8 Hz) and gamma (30-45 Hz) frequency bands have been analysed in young (18-25 years old, n = 14) and mature adults (45-65 years old, n = 12) during the incidental or intentional behavioural conditions of learning and recalling in a visuospatial task. A printed drawing of a maze including eight figures of common objects in specific placements, solved by connecting its entrance and exit points, allowed the subject's performance efficiency to be measured based on the number, position accuracy and/or identity of incidentally or intentionally learned and remembered objects. Meanwhile, EEG recordings from frontal, parietal and temporal derivations were obtained to determine the power values of the theta (4-8 Hz) and gamma (30-45 Hz) bands for each behavioural condition and derivation. Relative to the young adults, the mature adults generally showed lower absolute theta power values, mainly due to their low theta powers under the basal and incidental learning conditions, and higher absolute gamma power values in the frontal and temporal regions. Furthermore, higher theta band power in the frontal regions was related to higher performance efficiency in both incidental and intentional learning, regardless of the subjects' age. A significant negative correlation between the parameters of individual incidental or intentional learning performance and age was also found. Indeed, a differential accuracy of remembered information seems to be associated with age and incidental or intentional learning/memory testing conditions. These data support an increasing vulnerability of visuospatial learning abilities at mature ages and as ageing progresses.

Supramammillary serotonin reduction alters place learning and concomitant hippocampal, septal, and supramammillar theta activity in a Morris water maze

Hippocampal theta activity is related to spatial information processing, and high-frequency theta activity, in particular, has been linked to efficient spatial memory performance. Theta activity is regulated by the synchronizing ascending system (SAS), which includes mesencephalic and diencephalic relays. The supramamillary nucleus (SUMn) is located between the reticularis pontis oralis and the medial septum (MS), in close relation with the posterior hypothalamic nucleus (PHn), all of which are part of this ascending system. It has been proposed that the SUMn plays a role in the modulation of hippocampal theta-frequency; this could occur through direct connections between the SUMn and the hippocampus or through the influence of the SUMn on the MS. Serotonergic raphe neurons prominently innervate the hippocampus and several components of the SAS, including the SUMn. Serotonin desynchronizes hippocampal theta activity, and it has been proposed that serotonin may regulate learning through the modulation of hippocampal synchrony. In agreement with this hypothesis, serotonin depletion in the SUMn/PHn results in deficient spatial learning and alterations in CA1 theta activity-related learning in a Morris water maze. Because it has been reported that SUMn inactivation with lidocaine impairs the consolidation of reference memory, we asked whether changes in hippocampal theta activity related to learning would occur through serotonin depletion in the SUMn, together with deficiencies in memory. We infused 5,7-DHT bilaterally into the SUMn in rats and evaluated place learning in the standard Morris water maze task. Hippocampal (CA1 and dentate gyrus), septal and SUMn EEG were recorded during training of the test. The EEG power in each region and the coherence between the different regions were evaluated. Serotonin depletion in the SUMn induced deficient spatial learning and altered the expression of hippocampal high-frequency theta activity. These results provide evidence in support of a role for serotonin as a modulator of hippocampal learning, acting through changes in the synchronicity evoked in several relays of the SAS.

Septal serotonin depletion in rats facilitates working memory in the radial arm maze and increases hippocampal high-frequency theta activity

Hippocampal theta activity, which is strongly modulated by the septal medial/Broca׳s diagonal band neurons, has been linked to information processing of the hippocampus. Serotonin from the medial raphe nuclei desynchronises hippocampal theta activity, whereas inactivation or a lesion of this nucleus induces continuous and persistent theta activity in the hippocampus. Hippocampal serotonin depletion produces an increased expression of high-frequency theta activity concurrent with the facilitation of place learning in the Morris maze. The medial septum-diagonal band of Broca complex (MS/DBB) has been proposed as a key structure in the serotonin modulation of theta activity. We addressed whether serotonin depletion of the MS/DBB induces changes in the characteristics of hippocampal theta activity and whether the depletion is associated with learning in a working memory spatial task in the radial arm maze. Sprague Dawley rats were depleted of 5HT with the infusion of 5,7-dihydroxytriptamine (5,7-DHT) in MS/DBB and were subsequently trained in the standard test (win-shift) in the radial arm, while the CA1 EEG activity was simultaneously recorded through telemetry. The MS/DBB serotonin depletion induced a low level of expression of low-frequency (4.5-6.5Hz) and a higher expression of high-frequency (6.5-9.5Hz) theta activity concomitant to a minor number of errors committed by rats on the working memory test. Thus, the depletion of serotonin in the MS/DBB caused a facilitator effect on working memory and a predominance of high-frequency theta activity.

Voluntary and involuntary running in the rat show different patterns of theta rhythm, physical activity, and heart rate

Involuntarily exercising rats undergo more physical and mental stress than voluntarily exercising rats; however, these findings still lack electrophysiological evidence. Many studies have reported that theta rhythm appears when there is mental stress and that it is affected by emotional status. Thus we hypothesized that the differences between voluntary and involuntary movement should also exist in the hippocampal theta rhythm. Using the wheel and treadmill exercise models as voluntary and involuntary exercise models, respectively, this study wirelessly recorded the hippocampal electroencephalogram, electrocardiogram, and three-dimensional accelerations of young male rats. Treadmill and wheel exercise produced different theta patterns in the rats before and during running. Even though the waking baselines for the two exercise types were recorded in different environments, there did not exist any significant difference after distinguishing the rats' sleep/wake status. When the same movement-related parameters are considered, the treadmill running group showed more changes in their theta frequency (4-12 Hz), in their theta power between 9.5-12 Hz, and in their heart rate than the wheel running group. A positive correlation between the changes in high-frequency (9.5-12 Hz) theta power and heart rate was identified. Our results reveal various voluntary and involuntary changes in hippocampal theta rhythm as well as divergences in heart rate and high-frequency theta activity that may represent the effects of an additional emotional state or the sensory interaction during involuntary running by rats.

The decline in rat hippocampal theta activity during response inhibition for the compound stimulus of negative patterning and simultaneous feature-negative tasks

In experiment 1 of this study, we compared hippocampal theta activity between negative patterning and simple discrimination tasks. Our results demonstrated a transient decline in theta activity during response inhibition for a compound stimulus in the negative patterning task. In experiment 2 of this study, we compared hippocampal theta activity among simultaneous feature-negative, compound stimulus discrimination, and simple discrimination tasks in order to determine the cause of the decline in hippocampal theta activity during negative patterning tasks. Our results revealed that the decline in hippocampal theta activity occurred during the response inhibition for a compound stimulus in the simultaneous feature-negative task but not during the compound stimulus discrimination or simple discrimination tasks. Thus, we conclude that the transient decline in hippocampal theta activity is related to the inhibition in response to a compound stimulus that has an element that overlaps with a single stimulus.

Transient decline in hippocampal theta activity during the acquisition process of the negative patterning task

Hippocampal function is important in the acquisition of negative patterning but not of simple discrimination. This study examined rat hippocampal theta activity during the acquisition stages (early, middle, and late) of the negative patterning task (A+, B+, AB-). The results showed that hippocampal theta activity began to decline transiently (for 500 ms after non-reinforced stimulus presentation) during the late stage of learning in the negative patterning task. In addition, this transient decline in hippocampal theta activity in the late stage was lower in the negative patterning task than in the simple discrimination task. This transient decline during the late stage of task acquisition may be related to a learning process distinctive of the negative patterning task but not the simple discrimination task. We propose that the transient decline of hippocampal theta activity reflects inhibitory learning and/or response inhibition after the presentation of a compound stimulus specific to the negative patterning task.

Effects of early life permethrin exposure on spatial working memory and on monoamine levels in different brain areas of pre-senescent rats

Pesticide exposure during brain development could represent an important risk factor for the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies investigated the effect of permethrin (PERM) administered at 34 mg/kg, a dose close to the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) from post natal day (PND) 6 to PND 21 in rats. Despite the PERM dose did not elicited overt signs of toxicity (i.e. normal body weight gain curve), it was able to induce striatal neurodegeneration (dopamine and Nurr1 reduction, and lipid peroxidation increase). The present study was designed to characterize the cognitive deficits in the current animal model. When during late adulthood PERM treated rats were tested for spatial working memory performances in a T-maze-rewarded alternation task they took longer to choose for the correct arm in comparison to age matched controls. No differences between groups were found in anxiety-like state, locomotor activity, feeding behavior and spatial orientation task. Our findings showing a selective effect of PERM treatment on the T-maze task point to an involvement of frontal cortico-striatal circuitry rather than to a role for the hippocampus. The predominant disturbances concern the dopamine (DA) depletion in the striatum and, the serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NE) unbalance together with a hypometabolic state in the medial prefrontal cortex area. In the hippocampus, an increase of NE and a decrease of DA were observed in PERM treated rats as compared to controls. The concentration of the most representative marker for pyrethroid exposure (3-phenoxybenzoic acid) measured in the urine of rodents 12 h after the last treatment was 41.50 μg/L and it was completely eliminated after 96 h.

Prefrontal electroencephalographic activity during the working memory processes involved in a sexually motivated task in male rats

The prefrontal cortex is involved in working memory functions, and several studies using food or drink as rewards have demonstrated that the rat is capable of performing tasks that involve working memory. Sexual activity is another highly-rewarding, motivated behaviour that has proven to be an efficient incentive in classical operant tasks. The objective of this study was to determine whether the functional activity of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) changes in relation to the working memory processes involved in a sexually motivated task performed in male rats. Thus, male Wistar rats implanted in the mPFC were subjected to a nonmatching-to-sample task in a T-maze using sexual interaction as a reinforcer during a 4-day training period. On the basis of their performance during training, the rats were classified as 'good-learners' or 'bad-learners'. Only the good-learner rats showed an increase in the absolute power of the 8-13 Hz band during both the sample and test runs; a finding that could be related to learning of the working memory elements entailed in the task. During the maintenance phase only (i.e., once the rule had been learned well), the good-learner rats also showed an increased correlation of the 8-13 Hz band during the sample run, indicating that a high degree of coupling between the prefrontal cortices is necessary for the processing required to allow the rats to make correct decisions in the maintenance phase. Taken together, these data show that mPFC activity changes in relation to the working memory processes involved in a sexually motivated task in male rats.

Serotonin depletion of supramammillary/posterior hypothalamus nuclei produces place learning deficiencies and alters the concomitant hippocampal theta activity in rats

Hippocampal theta activity is important for the acquisition of spatial information and is strongly influenced and regulated by extra-hippocampal inputs from the synchronising ascending system (SAS), which includes the supramammillary nucleus (SUMn) and the posterior hypothalamic nucleus (PHn). Together these nuclei play an important role in controlling the frequency encoding of theta activity and are innervated by serotonin synapses, which also regulate theta activity and learning abilities. The participation of the SUMn in place learning and modulation of hippocampal theta activity were recently shown; thus, we questioned whether serotonin acting on SUMn/PHn could modulate place learning ability and concurrent hippocampal theta activity. The serotonergic terminals of the SUMn/PHn in rats were lesioned through 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) infusion, and hippocampal theta activity during the Morris water maze test was recorded. Rats in the vehicle group learned the task efficiently and showed learning-related theta changes in the CA1 and dentate gyrus regions throughout the training. The 5-HT-depleted rats were deficient in the Morris water maze task and showed theta activity in the CA1 and dentate gyrus that were unrelated to the processing of learning. We conclude that serotonin can regulate the hippocampal theta activity acting on the SUMn/PHn relay of the SAS and that the influence of 5-HT in these nuclei is required for the learning-related changes in hippocampal theta activity that underlie the successful resolution of the Morris water maze task.

Hippocampal θ dysfunction after lateral fluid percussion injury

Chronic memory deficits are a major cause of morbidity following traumatic brain injury (TBI). In the rat, the hippocampal theta rhythm is a well-studied correlate of memory function. This study sought to investigate disturbances in hippocampal theta rhythm following lateral fluid percussion injury in the rat. A total of 13 control rats and 12 TBI rats were used. Electrodes were implanted in bilateral hippocampi and an electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded while the rats explored a new environment, and also while navigating a modified version of the Barnes maze. Theta power and peak theta frequency were significantly attenuated in the injured animals. Further, injured rats were less likely to develop a spatial strategy for Barnes maze navigation compared to control rats. In conclusion, rats sustaining lateral fluid percussion injury demonstrated deficits in hippocampal theta activity. These deficits may contribute to the underlying memory problems seen in chronic TBI.

Effect of aging on treadmill exercise induced theta power in the rat

The effects of aging on the electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectra of 8- and 60-week-old Wistar-Kyoto rats were examined during the waking baseline and treadmill exercise. Using continuous and simultaneous recordings of EEG and electromyogram signals, this study demonstrated that the alpha (10-13 Hz), theta (6-10 Hz), and delta (0.5-4 Hz) powers of the EEG were significantly lower in older rats as compared with young rats during the waking baseline. In the young rats, treadmill exercise resulted promptly in a higher alpha power, higher theta power, and higher theta power percentage as compared with the waking baseline. In the aged rats, treadmill exercise only resulted in a higher theta power and higher theta power percentage. During the treadmill exercise, however, the aged rats still showed a significantly lower exercise-evoked theta power change than the young rats. These results suggested that aging is accompanied by lower EEG activities during waking and this also is accompanied by an attenuated response of the brain to exercise in the rat.

Theta oscillations during holeboard training in rats: different learning strategies entail different context-dependent modulations in the hippocampus

A functional connection between theta rhythms, information processing, learning and memory formation is well documented by studies focusing on the impact of theta waves on motor activity, global context or phase coding in spatial learning. In the present study we analyzed theta oscillations during a spatial learning task and assessed which specific behavioral contexts were connected to changes in theta power and to the formation of memory. Therefore, we measured hippocampal dentate gyrus theta modulations in male rats that were allowed to establish a long-term spatial reference memory in a holeboard (fixed pattern of baited holes) in comparison to rats that underwent similar training conditions but could not form a reference memory (randomly baited holes). The first group established a pattern specific learning strategy, while the second developed an arbitrary search strategy, visiting increasingly more holes during training. Theta power was equally influenced during the training course in both groups, but was significantly higher when compared to untrained controls. A detailed behavioral analysis, however, revealed behavior- and context-specific differences within the experimental groups. In spatially trained animals theta power correlated with the amounts of reference memory errors in the context of the inspection of unbaited holes and exploration in which, as suggested by time frequency analyses, also slow wave (delta) power was increased. In contrast, in randomly trained animals positive correlations with working memory errors were found in the context of rearing behavior. These findings indicate a contribution of theta/delta to long-lasting memory formation in spatially trained animals, whereas in pseudo trained animals theta seems to be related to attention in order to establish trial specific short-term working memory. Implications for differences in neuronal plasticity found in earlier studies are discussed.

Rat hippocampal theta rhythm during sensory mismatch

It has been suggested that sensory mismatch induces motion sickness, but its neural mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate this issue, theta waves in the hippocampal formation (HF) were studied during sensory mismatch by backward translocation in awake rats. A monopolar electrode was implanted into the dentate gyrus in the HF, from which local field potentials were recorded. The rats were placed on a treadmill affixed to a motion stage translocated along a figure 8-shaped track. The rats were trained to run forward on the treadmill at the same speed as that of forward translocation of the motion stage (a forward condition) before the experimental (recording) sessions. In the experimental sessions, the rats were initially tested in the forward condition, and then tested in a backward (mismatch) condition, in which the motion stage was turned around by 180 degrees before translocation. That is, the rats were moved backward by translocation of the stage although the rats ran forward on the treadmill. The theta (6-9 Hz) power was significantly increased in the backward condition compared with the forward condition. However, the theta power gradually decreased by repeated testing in the backward condition. Furthermore, backward translocation of the stage without locomotion did not increase theta power. These results suggest that the HF might function as a comparator to detect sensory mismatch, and that alteration in HF theta activity might induce motion sickness.

Human hippocampal and parahippocampal theta during goal-directed spatial navigation predicts performance on a virtual Morris water maze

The hippocampus and parahippocampal cortices exhibit theta oscillations during spatial navigation in animals and humans, and in the former are thought to mediate spatial memory formation. Functional specificity of human hippocampal theta, however, is unclear. Neuromagnetic activity was recorded with a whole-head 275-channel magnetoencephalographic (MEG) system as healthy participants navigated to a hidden platform in a virtual reality Morris water maze. MEG data were analyzed for underlying oscillatory sources in the 4-8 Hz band using a spatial filtering technique (i.e., synthetic aperture magnetometry). Source analyses revealed greater theta activity in the left anterior hippocampus and parahippocampal cortices during goal-directed navigation relative to aimless movements in a sensorimotor control condition. Additional analyses showed that left anterior hippocampal activity was predominantly observed during the first one-half of training, pointing to a role for this region in early learning. Moreover, posterior hippocampal theta was highly correlated with navigation performance, with the former accounting for 76% of the variance of the latter. Our findings suggest human spatial learning is dependent on hippocampal and parahippocampal theta oscillations, extending to humans a significant body of research demonstrating such a pivotal role for hippocampal theta in animal navigation.

Participation of hippocampal ionotropic glutamate receptors in histamine H(1) antagonist-induced memory deficit in rats

RATIONALE

Pyrilamine, a selective histamine H(1) antagonist, impaired spatial memory, and decreased hippocampal theta activity during a radial maze task.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the ameliorative effects of glutamatergic drugs on pyrilamine-induced spatial memory deficit and the decrease in hippocampal theta activity in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Drug effects were measured using an eight-arm radial maze with four arms baited. Hippocampal theta rhythm during the radial maze task was also recorded with a polygraph system using a telemetric technique.

RESULTS

Intraperitoneal injection of pyrilamine (35 mg/kg) resulted in impaired reference and working memory in the radial maze task and a decrease in the amplitude and power of hippocampal theta waves. The working memory deficit and the decrease in hippocampal theta power were antagonized by intrahippocampal injection of D: -cycloserine (1 microg/side), spermidine (10 microg/side), spermine (10 microg/side), aniracetam (1 microg/side), and 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylcarbonyl) piperidine (1-BCP) (1 microg/side), but not concanavalin A.

CONCLUSION

These results clearly indicate that H(1) antagonist-induced working memory deficit, and the decrease in hippocampal theta activity was closely associated with hippocampal glutamatergic neurotransmission mediated by N-methyl-D: -aspartate (NMDA) and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors.

Effects of histamine H(1) receptor antagonists on hippocampal theta rhythm during spatial memory performance in rats

The effects of histamine H(1) receptor antagonists (promethazine, diphenhydramine, chlorphenilamine and triprolidine) on hippocampal theta rhythm during eight-arm radial maze performance were investigated using rats. Promethazine showed a significant increase in the number of total errors and working memory errors at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg, and a significant increase was also observed in reference memory errors at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Diphenhydramine and chlorphenilamine at a dose of 20 mg/kg and triprolidine at a dose of 35 mg/kg also caused significant increases in the number of total, reference memory and working memory errors. Promethazine, diphenhydramine and chlorphenilamine, having potent anti-muscarinic receptor properties, increased hippocampal theta power during radial maze performance at a dose of 20 mg/kg. On the other hand, triprolidine, which has weak anti-muscarinic receptor properties compared with other histamine H(1) receptor antagonists, decreased theta power at a dose of 35 mg/kg. These results suggest that anti-muscarinic receptor properties rather than anti-histamine H(1) receptor properties may affect hippocampal theta power during spatial memory deficit induced by promethazine, diphenhydramine and chlorphenilamine.

Role of hippocampal H1 receptors in radial maze performance and hippocampal theta activity in rats

Histamine H1 antagonists impaired the spatial memory performance. On the other hand, it is well recognized that the hippocampal theta rhythm plays a critical role in spatial memory. However, little work has been done the effect of H1 antagonists on the hippocampal theta rhythm which was associated with the memory performance. We investigated the effect of pyrilamine, a selective H1 receptor antagonist, on spatial memory performance as well as hippocampal theta rhythm during the memory task in rats. Effect of pyrilamine on spatial memory was measured using eight-arm radial maze with four arms baited. Hippocampal theta rhythm during the radial maze task was recorded with a polygraph system with a telemetric technique. Intraperitoneal injection of pyrilamine resulted in impairments of both reference and working memory on the radial maze task. The working memory deficit induced by pyrilamine was antagonized by the intrahippocampal injection of histamine and 6-[2-(4-imidazolyl)ethylamino]-N-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)heptanecarboxamide (HTMT), a histamine H1 agonist. Intraperitoneal injection of pyrilamine decreased the hippocampal theta power at a dose that impaired reference and working memory. This effect was antagonized by the intrahippocampal injection of histamine and HTMT at a dose that ameliorated the working memory deficit. Intrahippocampal injection of pyrilamine impaired working memory and simultaneously decreased the hippocampal theta power. These results suggest that: (i) the hippocampal H1 receptors play an important role in the working memory processes on the radial maze performance and (ii) the decrease in the hippocampal theta power is associated with the working memory deficit induced by the blocking of H1 receptors.

Striatal serotonin depletion facilitates rat egocentric learning via dopamine modulation

Egocentric spatial learning has been defined as the ability to navigate in an environment using only proprioceptive information, thereby performing a motor response based on one's own movement. This form of learning has been associated with the neural memory system, including the striatum body. Cerebral serotonin depletion induces better performance, both in tasks with strong egocentric components and in egocentric navigation in the Morris' maze. Based on this, we propose that the striatal serotonergic depletion must facilitate egocentric learning. Fifteen female Sprague Dawley rats weighing 250-350 g and maintained under standard conditions were chronically implanted with infusion cannulas for bilateral application of drugs into the striatum. The animals were evaluated for egocentric navigation using the Morris' maze, under different conditions: saline solution infusion, serotonin depletion by infusion of 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine (25 microg of free base solved in 2.5 microl of ascorbic acid 1% in saline solution), infusion of mixed dopamine D(1) and D(2) receptor antagonists (0.5 microl/min during 5 min of mixed spiperone 20 microM and SCH23390 10 microM), or serotonin depletion and dopamine blockade simultaneously. Striatal serotonin depletion facilitated egocentric learning, which was demonstrated as shorter escape latencies and the display of a defined sequence of movements for reaching the platform. The facilitation was not observed under condition of simultaneous dopamine blockade. Striatal serotonin depletion produced a dopamine-dependent facilitation of egocentric learning. A role for serotonin in the inhibition of striatal-mediated learning strategies is proposed.