Mesencephalic trigeminal neuron responses to gamma-aminobutyric acid

The neurophysiological basis of bruxism

Mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MTN) neurons innervate the stretch receptors of the jaw elevator muscles and periodontal ligament mechanoreceptors, Bruxism activates the MTN. We analyzed how MTN cells are structured, their anatomy and physiology, and the effects of their activation.

To induce and maintain sleep, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitor neurotransmitter, is released from the ventro-lateral preoptic area of the hypothalamus and acts on the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) nuclei. The GABA neurotrasmitter induces the entry of chlorine into cells, hyperpolarizing and inhibiting these. MTN cells, on the contrary, are depolarized by GABA, as their receptors are activated upon GABA binding. They “let out” chlorine and activate ARAS cells. MTN cells release glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter onto their target cells, in this case onto ARAS cells. During wakefulness, ARAS activation causes cerebral cortex activation; instead, during sleep (sleep bruxism), ARAS activation avoids an excessive reduction in ARAS neurotransmitters, including noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine and glutamate. These neurotransmitters, in addition to activating the cerebral cortex, modulate vital functions such as cardiac and respiratory functions. Polysomnography shows that sleep bruxism is always accompanied by cardiac and respiratory activation and, most importantly, by brain function activation. Bruxism is not a parafunction, and it functions to activate ARAS nuclei.

Direct projection from the lateral habenula to the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus in rats

Trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus (Vmes) neurons are primary afferents conveying deep sensation from the masticatory muscle spindles or the periodontal mechanoreceptors, and are crucial for controlling jaw movements. Their cell bodies exist in the brain and receive descending commands from a variety of cortical and subcortical structures involved in limbic (emotional) systems. However, it remains unclear how the lateral habenula (LHb), a center of negative emotions (e.g., pain, stress and anxiety), can influence the control of jaw movements. To address this issue, we examined whether and how the LHb directly projects to the Vmes by means of neuronal tract tracing techniques in rats. After injections of a retrograde tracer Fluorogold in the rostral and caudal Vmes, a number of neurons were labeled in the lateral division of LHb (LHbl) bilaterally, whereas a few neurons were labeled in the medial division of LHb (LHbm) bilaterally. After injections of an anterograde tracer, biotinylated dextranamine (BDA) in the LHbl, a small number of labeled axons were distributed bilaterally in the rostral and caudal levels of Vmes, where some labeled axonal boutons contacted the cell body of rostral and caudal levels of Vmes neurons bilaterally. After the BDA injection into the LHbm, however, no axons were labeled bilaterally in the rostral and caudal levels of Vmes. Therefore, the present study for the first time demonstrated the direct projection from the LHbl to the Vmes and the detailed projection patterns, suggesting that jaw movements are modulated by negative emotions that are signaled by LHbl neurons.

Action potential-triggered somatic exocytosis in mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus neurons in rat brain slices

The neurons in the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MeV) play essential roles in proprioceptive sensation of the face and oral cavity. The somata of MeV neurons are generally assumed to carry out neuronal functions but not to play a direct role in synaptic transmission. Using whole-cell recording and membrane capacitance (C(m)) measurements, we found that the somata of MeV neurons underwent robust exocytosis (C(m) jumps) upon depolarization and with the normal firing of action potentials in brain slices. Both removing [Ca(2+)](o) and buffering [Ca(2+)](i) with BAPTA blocked this exocytosis, indicating that it was completely Ca(2+) dependent. In addition, an electron microscopic study showed synaptic-like vesicles approximated to the plasma membrane in somata. There was a single Ca(2+)-dependent releasable vesicle pool with a peak release rate of 1912 fF s(-1). Importantly, following depolarization-induced somatic exocytosis, GABA-mediated postsynaptic currents were transiently reduced by 31%, suggesting that the somatic vesicular release had a retrograde effect on afferent GABAergic transmission. These results provide strong evidence that the somata of MeV neurons undergo robust somatic secretion and may play a crucial role in bidirectional communication between somata and their synaptic inputs in the central nervous system.

Neurobiology of orofacial proprioception

Primary sensory fibers innervating the head region derive from neurons of both the trigeminal ganglion (TG) and mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MTN). The trigeminal primary proprioceptors have their cell bodies in the MTN. Unlike the TG cells, MTN neuronal somata are centrally located within the brainstem and receive synaptic inputs that potentially modify their output. They are a crucial component of the neural circuitry responsible for the generation and control of oromotor activities. Gaining an insight into the chemical neuroanatomy of the MTN is, therefore, of fundamental importance for the understanding of neurobiology of the head proprioceptive system. This paper summarizes the recent advances in our knowledge of pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms related to orofacial proprioceptive signaling in mammals. It first briefly describes the neuroanatomy of the MTN, which is involved in the processing of proprioceptive information from the face and oral cavity, and then focuses on its neurochemistry. In order to solve the puzzle of the chemical coding of the mammalian MTN, we review the expression of classical neurotransmitters and their receptors in mesencephalic trigeminal neurons. Furthermore, we discuss the relationship of neuropeptides and their corresponding receptors in relaying of masticatory proprioception and also refer to the interactions with other atypical neuromessengers and neurotrophic factors. In extension of previous inferences, we provide conclusive evidence that the levels of transmitters vary according to the environmental conditions thus implying the neuroplasticity of mesencephalic trigeminal neurons. Finally, we have also tried to give an integrated functional account of the MTN neurochemical profiles.

Contrasting phenotypes of putative proprioceptive and nociceptive trigeminal neurons innervating jaw muscle in rat

BACKGROUND

Despite the clinical significance of muscle pain, and the extensive investigation of the properties of muscle afferent fibers, there has been little study of the ion channels on sensory neurons that innervate muscle. In this study, we have fluorescently tagged sensory neurons that innervate the masseter muscle, which is unique because cell bodies for its muscle spindles are in a brainstem nucleus (mesencephalic nucleus of the 5th cranial nerve, MeV) while all its other sensory afferents are in the trigeminal ganglion (TG). We examine the hypothesis that certain molecules proposed to be used selectively by nociceptors fail to express on muscle spindles afferents but appear on other afferents from the same muscle.

RESULTS

MeV muscle afferents perfectly fit expectations of cells with a non-nociceptive sensory modality: Opiates failed to inhibit calcium channel currents (I(Ca)) in 90% of MeV neurons, although ICa were inhibited by GABA(B) receptor activation. All MeV afferents had brief (1 msec) action potentials driven solely by tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive Na channels and no MeV afferent expressed either of three ion channels (TRPV1, P2X3, and ASIC3) thought to be transducers for nociceptive stimuli, although they did express other ATP and acid-sensing channels. Trigeminal masseter afferents were much more diverse. Virtually all of them expressed at least one, and often several, of the three putative nociceptive transducer channels, but the mix varied from cell to cell. Calcium currents in 80% of the neurons were measurably inhibited by mu-opioids, but the extent of inhibition varied greatly. Almost all TG masseter afferents expressed some TTX-insensitive sodium currents, but the amount compared to TTX sensitive sodium current varied, as did the duration of action potentials.

CONCLUSION

Most masseter muscle afferents that are not muscle spindle afferents express molecules that are considered characteristic of nociceptors, but these putative muscle nociceptors are molecularly diverse. This heterogeneity may reflect the mixture of metabosensitive afferents which can also signal noxious stimuli and purely nociceptive afferents characteristic of muscle.

Excitatory GABAergic synaptic potentials in the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus of adult rat in vitro

The mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MesV) contains the somata of primary afferent neurons innervating masticatory muscle spindles and the periodontal membrane. MesV afferent somata are unique in receiving synaptic inputs. Intracellular recordings in coronal pontine slices from adult rats were made from MesV neurons identified by having Cs-sensitive inward rectification and pseudounipolar morphology. Stimuli near the MesV evoked either a cluster of action potentials superimposed on a postsynaptic potential (PSP) or an antidromic spike at resting membrane potential (RMP). Membrane hyperpolarization revealed that each cluster of action potentials consisted of an antidromic spike and a subsequent PSP. Evoked PSPs in slices and miniature postsynaptic currents (mPSCs) recorded using whole-cell patch in dissociated MesV neurons were resistant to glutamate antagonists and strychnine but were reversibly abolished by 40 microM bicuculline. Superfusion of 1-10 mM GABA decreased input resistance and depolarized the membrane. Reversal potentials for evoked PSPs and GABA-induced depolarizations were similar and close to that for mPSCs which matched the Cl- equilibrium potential. Thus activation of synapses on MesV somata evokes GABAergic PSPs that generate action potentials at RMP in the adult. These data also indicate that primary afferent MesV neurons can act as interneurons in the central control of mastication.

Differential functional expression of cation-Cl- cotransporter mRNAs (KCC1, KCC2, and NKCC1) in rat trigeminal nervous system

GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain, which causes Cl- influx into the cell via GABAA receptors. The direction of Cl- inflow is dependent on the Cl- gradient across the membrane. Cation-Cl- cotransporters have been considered to play pivotal roles in controlling intracellular Cl- concentration ([Cl-]i) of neurons; hence, they modulate the GABAergic function. To elucidate how these cotransporters are distributed in the trigeminal nuclei, we investigated the expressions of K+-Cl- cotransporters (KCC1 and KCC2) and Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter (NKCC1) mRNAs by using in situ hybridization histochemistry. KCC2 mRNA was expressed in the motor trigeminal nucleus (Mo5), the principal trigeminal nucleus (Pr5), and the spinal trigeminal nucleus (Sp5), but not in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) and the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Me5). On the other hand, KCC1 and NKCC1 mRNAs were expressed in all the trigeminal nuclei. The resting [Cl-]i of Me5 neurons was significantly higher than that of Mo5 neurons. Thus, in primary sensory neurons such as the TG and the Me5, [Cl-]i would be higher than those in the other trigeminal nuclei because of the lack of KCC2 mRNA expression. Since Me5 neurons, but not Mo5 neurons, responded to GABA by depolarization, GABA would have differential physiological functions among trigeminal nuclei and TG.

Synaptic Inputs to Trigeminal Primary Afferent Neurons Cause Firing and Modulate Intrinsic Oscillatory Activity

In this paper, we investigated the influence of synapses on the cell bodies of trigeminal muscle spindle afferents that lie in the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus (NVmes), using intracellular recordings in brain stem slices of young rats. Three types of synaptic responses could be evoked by electrical stimulation of the adjacent supratrigeminal, motor, and main sensory nuclei and the intertrigeminal area: monophasic depolarizing postsynaptic potentials (PSPs), biphasic PSPs, and all or none action potentials without underlying excitatory PSPs (EPSPs). Many PSPs and spikes were abolished by bath-application of 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline (DNQX) alone or combined with d,l-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV), suggesting that they are mediated by non– N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and NMDA glutamatergic receptors, while some action potentials were sensitive to bicuculline, indicating involvement of GABAA receptors. A number of cells showed spontaneous membrane potential oscillations, and stimulation of synaptic inputs increased the amplitude of the oscillations for several cycles, which often triggered repetitive firing. Furthermore, the oscillatory rhythm was reset by the stimulation. Our results show that synaptic inputs to muscle primary afferent neurons in NVmes from neighboring areas are mainly excitatory and that they cause firing. In addition, the inputs synchronize intrinsic oscillations, which may lead to sustained, synchronous firing in a subpopulation of afferents. This may be of importance during rapid biting and during the mastication of very hard or tough foods.

Mesencephalic trigeminal neurons are innervated by nitric oxide synthase-containing fibers and respond to nitric oxide

In the present study we found that mesencephalic trigeminal (Mes-V) neurons of the rat are innervated by nitrergic fibers and that nitric oxide (NO) modifies the electrophysiological properties of these cells. Mes-V neurons were surrounded by a network of fibers that contained neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS); these fibers gave rise to terminal-, bouton-like structures which ended in Mes-V cells bodies. These cells, which did not display nNOS-like immunoreactivity were immunoreactive to a cGMP antibody. By performing intracellular recordings in the adult rat brain slice preparation, the effects of diethylenetriamine/NO adduct (DETA/NO) applications were examined. DETA/NO induced a depolarization that averaged 2.2 mV (range: 1-6 mV) in nine of 22 neurons. In 15 of 22 neurons (68% of the cells), there was a decrease in current threshold from 0.74 to 0.60 nA (19%; P<0.001). The excitatory effects of DETA/NO were abolished by ODQ, a blocker of soluble guanylate cyclase. Input resistance (R(in)) decreased in 80% of the cells from a mean of 24.8 to 20.6 Momega (17%; P<0.001) and the membrane time constant (tau(m)) decreased from 7.5 to 5.6 ms (25%; P<0.05). The 'sag' seen in the membrane response of these cells to current pulses was augmented during DETA/NO application. These findings indicate that there is a nitrergic innervation of Mes-V neurons and that these sensory cells are target for NO that may act on them as an excitatory neuromodulator promoting the synthesis of intracellular cGMP.

Molecular basis underlying GABA(A) responses in rat mesencephalic trigeminal neurons

We studied the molecular basis of GABA(A) receptor (GABA(A)R) expressed in the rat mesencephalic trigeminal (Vmes) sensory neuron using the immunohistochemical and single-cell RT-PCR methods. Using anti-GABA(A)R alpha2 subunit antibody, abundant GABA(A)Rs were visualized in Vmes neurons. A single-cell RT-PCR clarified that GABA(A)Rs expressed in Vmes neurons were predominantly composed of alpha2, alpha5, beta1, gamma1 and gamma2 subunits. Novel splicing variants in both alpha5 and beta1 were found invariably, and they lacked multiple amino acid sequence in the extracellular N-terminal portion. Known functional roles of both beta and gamma subunits in regulating the expression at the cell surface suggest that the unique subunit composition of GABA(A)Rs may be involved in the characteristics of GABA(A) response in Vmes neurons.

Comparative analysis of the chemical neuroanatomy of the mammalian trigeminal ganglion and mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus

A characteristic peculiarity of the trigeminal sensory system is the presence of two distinct populations of primary afferent neurons. Most of their cell bodies are located in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) but part of them lie in the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MTN). This review compares the neurochemical content of central versus peripheral trigeminal primary afferent neurons. In the TG, two subpopulations of primary sensory neurons, containing immunoreactive (IR) material, are identified: a number of glutamate (Glu)-, substance P (SP)-, neurokinin A (NKA)-, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-, cholecystokinin (CCK)-, somatostatin (SOM)-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)- and galanin (GAL)-IR ganglion cells with small and medium-sized somata, and relatively less numerous larger-sized neuropeptide Y (NPY)- and peptide 19 (PEP 19)-IR trigeminal neurons. In addition, many nitric oxide synthase (NOS)- and parvalbumin (PV)-IR cells of all sizes as well as fewer, mostly large, calbindin D-28k (CB)-containing neurons are seen. The majority of the large ganglion cells are surrounded by SP-, CGRP-, SOM-, CCK-, VIP-, NOS- and serotonin (SER)-IR perisomatic networks. In the MTN, the main subpopulation of large-sized neurons display Glu-immunoreactivity. Additionally, numerous large MTN neurons exhibit PV- and CB-immunostaining. On the other hand, certain small MTN neurons, most likely interneurons, are found to be GABAergic. Furthermore, NOS-containing neurons can be detected in the caudal and the mesencephalic-pontine junction portions of the nucleus. Conversely, no immunoreactivity to any of the examined neuropeptides is observed in the cell bodies of MTN neurons but these are encircled by peptidergic, catecholaminergic, serotonergic and nitrergic perineuronal arborizations in a basket-like manner. Such a discrepancy in the neurochemical features suggests that the differently fated embryonic migration, synaptogenesis, and peripheral and central target field innervation can possibly affect the individual neurochemical phenotypes of trigeminal primary afferent neurons.

Immunocytochemical localization of GABA(B) receptors in mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus neurons in the rat

We examined immunoreactivities for gamma-aminobutyric acidB-receptor (GABA(B)R) subtypes, GABA(B)R1 and GABA(B)R2, in the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus neurons (MTN neurons) of the rat. Immunoreactivity for GABA(B)R1 was prominent in cell bodies of MTN, whereas that for GABA(B)R2 was very weak, if existed. For electron microscopy, the immunogold-silver method for GABA(B)R1 was combined with the immunoperoxidase method for glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD: the synthetic enzyme of GABA). Immunogold-silver particles indicating GABA(B)R1 immunoreactivity were distributed widely in the cytoplasm of the cell bodies postsynaptic to GAD-immunoreactive axon terminals, but were rarely associated with synaptic membrane specialization or extrasynaptic sites of plasma membrane. It has been indicated that GABA(B)R1 may not be transported to plasma membrane when no GABA(B)R2 exists. Thus, it was presumed that GABA(B)R1 in the cell body of the rat MTN neurons might not be involved in the synaptic transmission.

Membrane resonance and subthreshold membrane oscillations in mesencephalic V neurons: participants in burst generation

Trigeminal mesencephalic (Mes V) neurons are critical components of the circuits controlling oral-motor activity. The possibility that they can function as interneurons necessitates a detailed understanding of the factors controlling their soma excitability. Using whole-cell patch-clamp recording, in vitro, we investigated the development of the ionic mechanisms responsible for the previously described subthreshold membrane oscillations and rhythmical burst discharge in Mes V neurons from rats ages postnatal day (P) 2-12. We found that the oscillation amplitude and frequency increased during development, whereas bursting emerged after P6. Furthermore, when bursting was initiated, the spike frequency was largely determined by the oscillation frequency. Frequency domain analysis indicated that these oscillations emerged from the voltage-dependent resonant properties of Mes V neurons. Low doses of 4-aminopyridine (<100 microm) reduced the oscillations and abolished resonance in most neurons, suggesting that the resonant current is a steady-state K(+) current (I(4-AP)). Sodium ion replacement or TTX reduced substantially the oscillations and peak amplitude of the resonance, suggesting the presence of a persistent Na(+) current (I(NaP)) that functions to amplify the resonance and facilitate the emergence of subthreshold oscillations and bursting.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase-like immunoreactive axon terminals in synaptic contact with mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus neurons in the rat

The purpose of the present study was to obtain reliable evidence for the presence of gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) synapses upon mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MTN) neurons in the rat. For confocal laser-scanning microscopy, phosphate-activated glutaminase-like immunoreactivity (-IR) of MTN neurons was visualized with red fluorescence of Texas Red, while glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)-IR of GABA axons was visualized with green fluorescence of dichlorotriazinyl aminofluorescein. Many GAD-axon terminals were in close apposition to the cell bodies of MTN neurons. For electron microscopy, MTN neurons were labeled with wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase injected into the masseter nerve, while axon terminals were labeled with GAD-IR. GAD-axon terminals were in symmetric synaptic contact with the cell bodies of MTN neurons. Primary proprioceptive neurons in the orofacial regions might be regulated post-synaptically by GABA neurons.

The differential expression patterns of messenger RNAs encoding K-Cl cotransporters (KCC1,2) and Na-K-2Cl cotransporter (NKCC1) in the rat nervous system

Cation-chloride cotransporters have been considered to play pivotal roles in controlling intracellular and extracellular ionic environments of neurons and hence controlling neuronal function. We investigated the total distributions of K-Cl cotransporter 1 (KCC1), KCC2 (KCC2), and Na-K-2Cl cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) messenger RNAs in the adult rat nervous system using in situ hybridization histochemistry. KCC2 messenger RNA was abundantly expressed in most neurons throughout the nervous system. However, we could not detect KCC2 messenger RNA expression in the dorsal root ganglion and mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus, where primary sensory neurons show depolarizing responses to GABA, suggesting that the absence of KCC2 is necessary for this phenomenon. Furthermore, KCC2 messenger RNA was also not detected in the dorsolateral part of the paraventricular nucleus, dorsomedial part of the suprachiasmatic nucleus, and ventromedial part of the supraoptic nucleus where vasopressin neurons exist, and in the reticular thalamic nucleus. As vasopressin neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and neurons in the reticular thalamic nucleus produce their intrinsic rhythmicity, the lack of KCC2 messenger RNA expression in these regions might be involved in the genesis of rhythmicity through the control of intracellular chloride concentration. The expression levels of KCC1 and NKCC1 messenger RNAs were relatively low, however, positive neurons were observed in several regions, including the olfactory bulb, hippocampus, and in the granular layer of the cerebellum. In addition, positive signals were seen in the non-neuronal cells, such as choroid plexus epithelial cells, glial cells, and ependymal cells, suggesting that KCC1 and NKCC1 messenger RNAs were widely expressed in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells in the nervous system. These results clearly indicate a wide area- and cell-specific variation of cation chloride cotransporters, emphasizing the central role of anionic homeostasis in neuronal function and communication.

Serotonergic innervation of mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus neurons: a light and electron microscopic study in the rat

Neurons of the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MTN) are considered to be homologous to mechanosensitive neurons in the sensory ganglia. The sites of origin of serotonin (5HT)-immunoreactive axons on neuronal cell bodies in the MTN were studied in the rat by combining immunofluorescence histochemical techniques with retrograde tracing of Fluoro-Gold (FG) and anterograde tracing of biotin-conjugated dextran amine (BDA). The tracing studies, which were combined with multiple-labeling immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, indicated that 5HT-immunoreactive axon terminals on the cell bodies of MTN neurons originated from the medullary raphe nuclei, such as the nucleus raphes magmus (RMg), alpha part of the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis (GiA) and nucleus raphes obscurus (ROb), as well as from the mesopontine raphe nuclei, such as the nucleus raphes dorsalis (DR), nucleus raphes pontis (PnR) and nucleus raphes medianus (MnR); mainly from the RMg, GiA and DR, and additionally from the ROb, PnR and MnR. The cell bodies in close apposition to 5HT-immunoreactive axon terminals were found through the whole rostrocaudal extent of the MTN. Electron microscopically a number of axon terminals that were labeled with BDA injected into the raphe nuclei were confirmed to be in asymmetric synaptic contact with the cell bodies of MTN neurons. It was also indicated that substance P existed in some of the 5HT-containing axosomatic terminals arising from the ROb, RMg and GiA. The present results indicated that proprioceptive sensory signals from the muscle spindles or periodontal ligament might be modulated at the level of the primary afferent cell bodies in the MTN by 5HT-containing axons from the mesopontine and medullary raphe nuclei including the GiA.

Evidence for functional compartmentalization of trigeminal muscle spindle afferents during fictive mastication in the rabbit

Primary afferent neurons innervating muscle spindles in jaw-closing muscles have cell bodies in the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus (NVmes) that are electrically coupled and receive synapses. Each stem axon gives rise to a peripheral branch and a descending central branch. It was previously shown that some spikes generated by constant muscle stretch fail to enter the soma during fictive mastication. The present study examines whether the central axon is similarly controlled. These axons were functionally identified in anaesthetized and paralysed rabbits, and tonic afferent firing was elicited by muscle stretch. For the purpose of comparison, responses were recorded extracellularly both from the somatic region and from the central axon in the lateral brainstem. Two types of fictive masticatory movement patterns were induced by repetitive stimulation of the masticatory cortex and monitored from the trigeminal motor nucleus. Field potentials generated by spike-triggered averaging of action potentials from the spindle afferents were employed to determine their postsynaptic effects on jaw-closing motoneurons. Tonic firing of 32% NVmes units was inhibited during the jaw-opening phase, but spike frequency during closing was almost equal to the control rate during both types of fictive mastication. A similar inhibition occurred during opening in 83% of the units recorded along the central branch. However, firing frequency in these was significantly increased during closing in 94%, probably because of the addition of antidromic action potentials generated by presynaptic depolarization of terminals of the central branch. These additional spikes do not reach the soma, but do appear to excite motoneurons. The data also show that the duration and/or frequency of firing during the bursts varied from one pattern of fictive mastication to another. We conclude that the central axons of trigeminal muscle spindle afferents are functionally decoupled from their stem axons during the jaw-closing phase of mastication. During this phase, it appears that antidromic impulses in the central axons provide one of the inputs from the masticatory central pattern generator (CPG) to trigeminal motoneurons.

Oscillatory membrane potential activity in the soma of a primary afferent neuron

In the present report, we provide evidence that mesencephalic trigeminal (Mes-V) sensory neurons, a peculiar type of primary afferent cell with its cell body located within the CNS, may operate in different functional modes depending on the degree of their membrane polarization. Using intracellular recording techniques in the slice preparation of the adult rat brain stem, we demonstrate that when these neurons are depolarized, they exhibit sustained, high-frequency, amplitude-modulated membrane potential oscillations. Under these conditions, the cells discharge high-frequency trains of spikes. Oscillations occur at membrane potential levels more depolarized than -53 +/- 2.3 mV (mean +/- SD). The amplitude of these oscillations increases with increasing levels of membrane depolarization. The peak-to-peak amplitude of these waves is approximately 3 mV when the cells are depolarized to levels near threshold for repetitive firing. The frequency of oscillations is similar in different neurons (108.9 +/- 15.5 Hz) and was not modified, in any individual neuron, by changes in the membrane potential level. These oscillations are abolished by hyperpolarization and by TTX, whereas blockers of voltage-dependent K+ currents slow the frequency of oscillations but do not abolish the activity. These data indicate that the oscillations are generated by the activation of inward Na+ current/s and shaped by voltage-dependent K+ outward currents. The oscillatory activity is not modified by perfusion with low-calcium, high-magnesium, or cobalt-containing solutions nor is it modified in the presence of cadmium or Apamin. These results indicate that a calcium-dependent K+ current does not play a significant role in this activity. We postulate that the membrane oscillatory activity in Mes-V neurons is synchronized in adjoining electrotonically coupled cells and that this activity may be modulated in the behaving animal by synaptic influences.

Brainstem mechanisms underlying feeding behaviors

The essential elements controlling trigeminal motoneurons during feeding lie between the trigeminal and facial motor nuclei. These include populations of neurons in the medial reticular formation and pre-motoneurons in the lateral brainstem that reorganize to generate various patterns. Orofacial sensory feedback, antidromic firing in spindle afferents and intrinsic properties of motoneurons also contribute to the final masticatory motor output.