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Dai J, Sun QQ. Modulation of cortical representations of sensory and contextual information underlies aversive associative learning. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114672. [PMID: 39196779 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Cortical neurons encode both sensory and contextual information, yet it remains unclear how experiences modulate these cortical representations. Here, we demonstrate that trace eyeblink conditioning (TEC), an aversive associative-learning paradigm linking conditioned (CS) with unconditioned stimuli (US), finely tunes cortical coding at both population and single-neuron levels. Initially, we show that the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) is necessary for TEC acquisition, as evidenced by local muscimol administration. At the population level, TEC enhances activity in a small subset (∼20%) of CS- or US-responsive primary neurons (rPNs) while diminishing activity in non-rPNs, including locomotion-tuned or unresponsive PNs. Crucially, TEC learning modulates the encoding of sensory versus contextual information in single rPNs: CS-responsive neurons become less responsive, while US-responsive neurons gain responses to CS. Moreover, we find that the cholinergic pathway, via nicotinic receptors, underlies TEC-induced modulations. These findings suggest that experiences dynamically tune cortical representations through cholinergic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaman Dai
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA; Wyoming Sensory Biology Center of Biomedical Research Excellence, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Qian-Quan Sun
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA; Wyoming Sensory Biology Center of Biomedical Research Excellence, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
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Xiao W, Li P, Kong F, Kong J, Pan A, Long L, Yan X, Xiao B, Gong J, Wan L. Unraveling the Neural Circuits: Techniques, Opportunities and Challenges in Epilepsy Research. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2024; 44:27. [PMID: 38443733 PMCID: PMC10914928 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-024-01458-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Epilepsy, a prevalent neurological disorder characterized by high morbidity, frequent recurrence, and potential drug resistance, profoundly affects millions of people globally. Understanding the microscopic mechanisms underlying seizures is crucial for effective epilepsy treatment, and a thorough understanding of the intricate neural circuits underlying epilepsy is vital for the development of targeted therapies and the enhancement of clinical outcomes. This review begins with an exploration of the historical evolution of techniques used in studying neural circuits related to epilepsy. It then provides an extensive overview of diverse techniques employed in this domain, discussing their fundamental principles, strengths, limitations, as well as their application. Additionally, the synthesis of multiple techniques to unveil the complexity of neural circuits is summarized. Finally, this review also presents targeted drug therapies associated with epileptic neural circuits. By providing a critical assessment of methodologies used in the study of epileptic neural circuits, this review seeks to enhance the understanding of these techniques, stimulate innovative approaches for unraveling epilepsy's complexities, and ultimately facilitate improved treatment and clinical translation for epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Xiao
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Peile Li
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Fujiao Kong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Jingyi Kong
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Aihua Pan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Lili Long
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoxin Yan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Bo Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiaoe Gong
- Department of Neurology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
| | - Lily Wan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
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Dai J, Sun QQ. Learning induced neuronal identity switch in the superficial layers of the primary somatosensory cortex. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.30.555603. [PMID: 37693620 PMCID: PMC10491147 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.30.555603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
During learning, multi-dimensional inputs are integrated within the sensory cortices. However, the strategies by which the sensory cortex employs to achieve learning remains poorly understood. We studied the sensory cortical neuronal coding of trace eyeblink conditioning (TEC) in head-fixed, freely running mice, where whisker deflection was used as a conditioned stimulus (CS) and an air puff to the cornea delivered after an interval was used as unconditioned stimulus (US). After training, mice learned the task with a set of stereotypical behavioral changes, most prominent ones include prolonged closure of eyelids, and increased reverse running between CS and US onset. The local blockade of the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) activities with muscimol abolished the behavior learning suggesting that S1 is required for the TEC. In naive animals, based on the response properties to the CS and US, identities of the small proportion (~20%) of responsive primary neurons (PNs) were divided into two subtypes: CR (i.e. CS-responsive) and UR neurons (i.e. US-responsive). After animals learned the task, identity of CR and UR neurons changed: while the CR neurons are less responsive to CS, UR neurons gain responsiveness to CS, a new phenomenon we defined as 'learning induced neuronal identity switch (LINIS)'. To explore the potential mechanisms underlying LINIS, we found that systemic and local (i.e. in S1) administration of the nicotinic receptor antagonist during TEC training blocked the LINIS, and concomitantly disrupted the behavior learning. Additionally, we monitored responses of two types of cortical interneurons (INs) and observed that the responses of the somatostatin-expressing (SST), but not parvalbumin-expressing (PV) INs are negatively correlated with the learning performance, suggesting that SST-INs contribute to the LINIS. Thus, we conclude that L2/3 PNs in S1 encode perceptual learning by LINIS like mechanisms, and cholinergic pathways and cortical SST interneurons are involved in the formation of LINIS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaman Dai
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY82071, USA
- Wyoming Sensory Biology Center of Biomedical Research Excellence, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY82071, USA
| | - Qian-Quan Sun
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY82071, USA
- Wyoming Sensory Biology Center of Biomedical Research Excellence, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY82071, USA
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Zhao J, Yu Y, Han F, Wang Q. Regulating epileptiform discharges by heterogeneous interneurons in thalamocortical model. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2023; 33:083128. [PMID: 37561121 DOI: 10.1063/5.0163243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitory interneurons in the cortex are abundant and have diverse roles, classified as parvalbumin (PV), somatostatin (SOM), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) according to chemically defined categories. Currently, their involvement with seizures has been partially uncovered in physiological terms. Here, we propose a corticothalamic model containing heterogeneous interneurons to study the effects of various interneurons on absence seizure dynamics by means of optogenetic stimulation. First, the important role of feedforward inhibition caused by SRN→PV→PN projections on seizures is verified. Then, we demonstrate that light activation targeting either PV or SOM INs can control seizures. Finally, with different inhibition contributions from PV INs and SOM INs, the possible disinhibitory effect of blue light acting on VIP INs is mainly discussed. The results suggest that depending on the inhibition degree of both types, the disinhibition brought about by the VIP INs will trigger seizures, will control seizures, and will not work or cause the PNs to tend toward a high saturation state with high excitability. The circuit mechanism and the related bifurcation characteristics in various cases are emphatically revealed. In the model presented, in addition to Hopf and saddle-node bifurcations, the system may also undergo period-doubling and torus bifurcations under stimulus action, with more complex dynamics. Our work may provide a theoretical basis for understanding and further exploring the role of heterogeneous interneurons, in particular, the VIP INs, a novel target, in absence seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyi Zhao
- Department of Dynamics and Control, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ying Yu
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Fang Han
- College of Information Science and Technology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Qingyun Wang
- Department of Dynamics and Control, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
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Zheng Y, Xu C, Sun J, Ming W, Dai S, Shao Y, Qiu X, Li M, Shen C, Xu J, Fei F, Fang J, Jiang X, Zheng G, Hu W, Wang Y, Wang S, Ding M, Chen Z. Excitatory somatostatin interneurons in the dentate gyrus drive a widespread seizure network in cortical dysplasia. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:186. [PMID: 37193687 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01404-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Seizures due to cortical dysplasia are notorious for their poor prognosis even with medications and surgery, likely due to the widespread seizure network. Previous studies have primarily focused on the disruption of dysplastic lesions, rather than remote regions such as the hippocampus. Here, we first quantified the epileptogenicity of the hippocampus in patients with late-stage cortical dysplasia. We further investigated the cellular substrates leading to the epileptic hippocampus, using multiscale tools including calcium imaging, optogenetics, immunohistochemistry and electrophysiology. For the first time, we revealed the role of hippocampal somatostatin-positive interneurons in cortical dysplasia-related seizures. Somatostatin-positive were recruited during cortical dysplasia-related seizures. Interestingly, optogenetic studies suggested that somatostatin-positive interneurons paradoxically facilitated seizure generalization. By contrast, parvalbumin-positive interneurons retained an inhibitory role as in controls. Electrophysiological recordings and immunohistochemical studies revealed glutamate-mediated excitatory transmission from somatostatin-positive interneurons in the dentate gyrus. Taken together, our study reveals a novel role of excitatory somatostatin-positive neurons in the seizure network and brings new insights into the cellular basis of cortical dysplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310060, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Cenglin Xu
- Department of Neurology, Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310060, China.
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
| | - Jinyi Sun
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Wenjie Ming
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Sijie Dai
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yuying Shao
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xiaoyun Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Menghan Li
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Chunhong Shen
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Jinghong Xu
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Fan Fei
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jiajia Fang
- Department of Neurology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, 322000, China
| | - Xuhong Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310060, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Guoqing Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310060, China
| | - Weiwei Hu
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310060, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Meiping Ding
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
| | - Zhong Chen
- Department of Neurology, Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310060, China.
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
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Zhong W, Zheng W, Ji X. Spatial Distribution of Inhibitory Innervations of Excitatory Pyramidal Cells by Major Interneuron Subtypes in the Auditory Cortex. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10050547. [PMID: 37237617 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10050547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mental disorders, characterized by the National Institute of Mental Health as disruptions in neural circuitry, currently account for 13% of the global incidence of such disorders. An increasing number of studies suggest that imbalances between excitatory and inhibitory neurons in neural networks may be a crucial mechanism underlying mental disorders. However, the spatial distribution of inhibitory interneurons in the auditory cortex (ACx) and their relationship with excitatory pyramidal cells (PCs) remain elusive. In this study, we employed a combination of optogenetics, transgenic mice, and patch-clamp recording on brain slices to investigate the microcircuit characteristics of different interneurons (PV, SOM, and VIP) and the spatial pattern of inhibitory inhibition across layers 2/3 to 6 in the ACx. Our findings revealed that PV interneurons provide the strongest and most localized inhibition with no cross-layer innervation or layer specificity. Conversely, SOM and VIP interneurons weakly regulate PC activity over a broader range, exhibiting distinct spatial inhibitory preferences. Specifically, SOM inhibitions are preferentially found in deep infragranular layers, while VIP inhibitions predominantly occur in upper supragranular layers. PV inhibitions are evenly distributed across all layers. These results suggest that the input from inhibitory interneurons to PCs manifests in unique ways, ensuring that both strong and weak inhibitory inputs are evenly dispersed throughout the ACx, thereby maintaining a dynamic excitation-inhibition balance. Our findings contribute to understanding the spatial inhibitory characteristics of PCs and inhibitory interneurons in the ACx at the circuit level, which holds significant clinical implications for identifying and targeting abnormal circuits in auditory system diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Zhong
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wenhong Zheng
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xuying Ji
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders of Guangdong Province, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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