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Kida H, Toyoshima S, Kawakami R, Sakimoto Y, Mitsushima D. Properties of layer V pyramidal neurons in the primary motor cortex that represent acquired motor skills. Neuroscience 2024; 559:54-63. [PMID: 39209105 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Layer V neurons in primary motor cortex (M1) are required for motor skill learning. We analyzed training-induced plasticity using a whole-cell slice patch-clamp technique with a rotor rod task, and found that training induces diverse changes in intrinsic properties and synaptic plasticity in M1 layer V neurons. Although the causal relationship between specific cellular changes and motor performance is unclear, by linking individual motor performance to cellular/synaptic functions, we identified several cellular and synaptic parameters that represent acquired motor skills. With respect to cellular properties, motor performance was positively correlated with resting membrane potential and fast afterhyperpolarization, but not with the membrane resistance, capacitance, or threshold. With respect to synaptic function, the performance was positively correlated with AMPA receptor-mediated postsynaptic currents, but not with GABAA receptor-mediated postsynaptic currents. With respect to live imaging analysis in Thy1-YFP mice, we further demonstrated a cross-correlation between motor performance, spine head volume, and self-entropy per spine. In the present study, we identified several changes in M1 layer V pyramidal neurons after motor training that represent acquired motor skills. Furthermore, training increased extracellular acetylcholine levels known to promote synaptic plasticity, which is correlated with individual motor performance. These results suggest that systematic control of specific intracellular parameters and enhancement of synaptic plasticity in M1 layer V neurons may be useful for improving motor skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Kida
- Department of Physiology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan.
| | - S Toyoshima
- Department of Physiology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - R Kawakami
- Department of Molecular Medicine for Pathogenesis, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Ehime 791-0295, Japan
| | - Y Sakimoto
- Department of Physiology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - D Mitsushima
- Department of Physiology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan; The Research Institute for Time Studies, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8511, Japan.
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2
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Zhao R, Ren B, Xiao Y, Tian J, Zou Y, Wei J, Qi Y, Hu A, Xie X, Huang ZJ, Shu Y, He M, Lu J, Tai Y. Axo-axonic synaptic input drives homeostatic plasticity by tuning the axon initial segment structurally and functionally. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk4331. [PMID: 39093969 PMCID: PMC11296346 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk4331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Homeostatic plasticity maintains the stability of functional brain networks. The axon initial segment (AIS), where action potentials start, undergoes dynamic adjustment to exert powerful control over neuronal firing properties in response to network activity changes. However, it is poorly understood whether this plasticity involves direct synaptic input to the AIS. Here, we show that changes of GABAergic synaptic input from chandelier cells (ChCs) drive homeostatic tuning of the AIS of principal neurons (PNs) in the prelimbic (PL) region, while those from parvalbumin-positive basket cells do not. This tuning is evident in AIS morphology, voltage-gated sodium channel expression, and PN excitability. Moreover, the impact of this homeostatic plasticity can be reflected in animal behavior. Social behavior, inversely linked to PL PN activity, shows time-dependent alterations tightly coupled to changes in AIS plasticity and PN excitability. Thus, AIS-originated homeostatic plasticity in PNs may counteract deficits elicited by imbalanced ChC presynaptic input at cellular and behavioral levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhao
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Baihui Ren
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Yujie Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, MOE Innovative Center for New Drug Development of Immune Inflammatory Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jifeng Tian
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yi Zou
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiafan Wei
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yanqing Qi
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ankang Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xiaoying Xie
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Z. Josh Huang
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University Pratt School of Engineering, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Yousheng Shu
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Institute for Translational Brain Research, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, MOE Innovative Center for New Drug Development of Immune Inflammatory Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Miao He
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiangteng Lu
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
- Songjiang Research Institute, Shanghai Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yilin Tai
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurobiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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Kim T, Hooks BM. Developmental changes in mouse motor skill learning and cortical circuitry. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.19.604309. [PMID: 39071410 PMCID: PMC11275902 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.19.604309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Learning motor skills requires plasticity in the primary motor cortex (M1), including changes in inhibitory circuitry. But how inhibitory synaptic connections change during skill acquisition and whether this varies over development is not fully understood. This study assesses the normal developmental trajectory of motor learning and then addresses inhibitory connectivity changes after motor learning. We trained mice of both sexes to run on a custom accelerating rotarod at ages from postnatal day (P) 20 to P120, tracking paw position and quantifying time to fall and changes in gait pattern. Performance improved most rapidly between P30-60, while paw position and gait patterns change with learning, though differently between age groups. To address circuit changes, we labeled task-active and task-inactive pyramidal cells with CaMPARI2, a genetically encoded activity marker. We then evoked inhibitory responses (IPSCs) from two major interneuron types: parvalbumin-expressing (PV+) interneurons and somatostatin-expressing (SOM+) interneurons. After one training day, PV-mediated inhibition is greater in task-active cells, while SOM-mediated inhibition is not different. These results suggest early changes in PV-mediated inhibition may support motor skill acquisition in mice. Whether PV-mediated inhibitory changes persist or changes in SOM+ interneuron connections arise later in training remains to be tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taehyeon Kim
- Center for Neuroscience University of Pittsburgh (CNUP) and Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Bryan M. Hooks
- Center for Neuroscience University of Pittsburgh (CNUP) and Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
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Sheng M, Lu D, Sheng K, Ding JB. Activity-Dependent Remodeling of Corticostriatal Axonal Boutons During Motor Learning. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.10.598366. [PMID: 38915677 PMCID: PMC11195117 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.10.598366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Motor skill learning induces long-lasting synaptic plasticity at not only the inputs, such as dendritic spines1-4, but also at the outputs to the striatum of motor cortical neurons5,6. However, very little is known about the activity and structural plasticity of corticostriatal axons during learning in the adult brain. Here, we used longitudinal in vivo two-photon imaging to monitor the activity and structure of thousands of corticostriatal axonal boutons in the dorsolateral striatum in awake mice. We found that learning a new motor skill induces dynamic regulation of axonal boutons. The activities of motor corticostriatal axonal boutons exhibited selectivity for rewarded movements (RM) and un-rewarded movements (UM). Strikingly, boutons on the same axonal branches showed diverse responses during behavior. Motor learning significantly increased the fraction of RM boutons and reduced the heterogeneity of bouton activities. Moreover, motor learning-induced profound structural dynamism in boutons. By combining structural and functional imaging, we identified that newly formed axonal boutons are more likely to exhibit selectivity for RM and are stabilized during motor learning, while UM boutons are selectively eliminated. Our results highlight a novel form of plasticity at corticostriatal axons induced by motor learning, indicating that motor corticostriatal axonal boutons undergo dynamic reorganization that facilitates the acquisition and execution of motor skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjun Sheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Di Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Kaiwen Sheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine
- Stanford Bioengineering PhD program, Stanford University
| | - Jun B Ding
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- The Phil & Penny Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience at the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University
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Kim JH, Daie K, Li N. A combinatorial neural code for long-term motor memory. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.05.597627. [PMID: 38895416 PMCID: PMC11185691 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.05.597627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Motor skill repertoire can be stably retained over long periods, but the neural mechanism underlying stable memory storage remains poorly understood. Moreover, it is unknown how existing motor memories are maintained as new motor skills are continuously acquired. Here we tracked neural representation of learned actions throughout a significant portion of a mouse's lifespan, and we show that learned actions are stably retained in motor memory in combination with context, which protects existing memories from erasure during new motor learning. We used automated home-cage training to establish a continual learning paradigm in which mice learned to perform directional licking in different task contexts. We combined this paradigm with chronic two-photon imaging of motor cortex activity for up to 6 months. Within the same task context, activity driving directional licking was stable over time with little representational drift. When learning new task contexts, new preparatory activity emerged to drive the same licking actions. Learning created parallel new motor memories while retaining the previous memories. Re-learning to make the same actions in the previous task context re-activated the previous preparatory activity, even months later. At the same time, continual learning of new task contexts kept creating new preparatory activity patterns. Context-specific memories, as we observed in the motor system, may provide a solution for stable memory storage throughout continual learning. Learning in new contexts produces parallel new representations instead of modifying existing representations, thus protecting existing motor repertoire from erasure.
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Zhao R, Ren B, Xiao Y, Tian J, Zou Y, Wei J, Qi Y, Hu A, Xie X, Huang ZJ, Shu Y, He M, Lu J, Tai Y. Axo-axonic synaptic input drives homeostatic plasticity by tuning the axon initial segment structurally and functionally. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.11.589005. [PMID: 38659885 PMCID: PMC11042219 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.11.589005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The stability of functional brain network is maintained by homeostatic plasticity, which restores equilibrium following perturbation. As the initiation site of action potentials, the axon initial segment (AIS) of glutamatergic projection neurons (PyNs) undergoes dynamic adjustment that exerts powerful control over neuronal firing properties in response to changes in network states. Although AIS plasticity has been reported to be coupled with the changes of network activity, it is poorly understood whether it involves direct synaptic input to the AIS. Here we show that changes of GABAergic synaptic input to the AIS of cortical PyNs, specifically from chandelier cells (ChCs), are sufficient to drive homeostatic tuning of the AIS within 1-2 weeks, while those from parvalbumin-positive basket cells do not. This tuning is reflected in the morphology of the AIS, the expression level of voltage-gated sodium channels, and the intrinsic neuronal excitability of PyNs. Interestingly, the timing of AIS tuning in PyNs of the prefrontal cortex corresponds to the recovery of changes in social behavior caused by alterations of ChC synaptic transmission. Thus, homeostatic plasticity of the AIS at postsynaptic PyNs may counteract deficits elicited by imbalanced ChC presynaptic input. Teaser Axon initial segment dynamically responds to changes in local input from chandelier cells to prevent abnormal neuronal functions.
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Milbocker KA, Smith IF, Klintsova AY. Maintaining a Dynamic Brain: A Review of Empirical Findings Describing the Roles of Exercise, Learning, and Environmental Enrichment in Neuroplasticity from 2017-2023. Brain Plast 2024; 9:75-95. [PMID: 38993580 PMCID: PMC11234674 DOI: 10.3233/bpl-230151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain plasticity, also termed neuroplasticity, refers to the brain's life-long ability to reorganize itself in response to various changes in the environment, experiences, and learning. The brain is a dynamic organ capable of responding to stimulating or depriving environments, activities, and circumstances from changes in gene expression, release of neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors, to cellular reorganization and reprogrammed functional connectivity. The rate of neuroplastic alteration varies across the lifespan, creating further challenges for understanding and manipulating these processes to benefit motor control, learning, memory, and neural remodeling after injury. Neuroplasticity-related research spans several decades, and hundreds of reviews have been written and published since its inception. Here we present an overview of the empirical papers published between 2017 and 2023 that address the unique effects of exercise, plasticity-stimulating activities, and the depriving effect of social isolation on brain plasticity and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ian F. Smith
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, University of Delaware, Newark, USA
| | - Anna Y. Klintsova
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, University of Delaware, Newark, USA
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Li H, Feng J, Chen M, Xin M, Chen X, Liu W, Wang L, Wang KH, He J. Cholecystokinin facilitates motor skill learning by modulating neuroplasticity in the motor cortex. eLife 2024; 13:e83897. [PMID: 38700136 PMCID: PMC11068356 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83897] [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: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholecystokinin (CCK) is an essential modulator for neuroplasticity in sensory and emotional domains. Here, we investigated the role of CCK in motor learning using a single pellet reaching task in mice. Mice with a knockout of Cck gene (Cck-/-) or blockade of CCK-B receptor (CCKBR) showed defective motor learning ability; the success rate of retrieving reward remained at the baseline level compared to the wildtype mice with significantly increased success rate. We observed no long-term potentiation upon high-frequency stimulation in the motor cortex of Cck-/- mice, indicating a possible association between motor learning deficiency and neuroplasticity in the motor cortex. In vivo calcium imaging demonstrated that the deficiency of CCK signaling disrupted the refinement of population neuronal activity in the motor cortex during motor skill training. Anatomical tracing revealed direct projections from CCK-expressing neurons in the rhinal cortex to the motor cortex. Inactivation of the CCK neurons in the rhinal cortex that project to the motor cortex bilaterally using chemogenetic methods significantly suppressed motor learning, and intraperitoneal application of CCK4, a tetrapeptide CCK agonist, rescued the motor learning deficits of Cck-/- mice. In summary, our results suggest that CCK, which could be provided from the rhinal cortex, may surpport motor skill learning by modulating neuroplasticity in the motor cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- Departments of Neuroscience and Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of SciencesHong KongChina
| | - Jingyu Feng
- Departments of Neuroscience and Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Mengying Chen
- Departments of Neuroscience and Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Min Xin
- Departments of Neuroscience and Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of SciencesHong KongChina
| | - Xi Chen
- Departments of Neuroscience and Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Wenhao Liu
- Departments of Neuroscience and Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Liping Wang
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesShenzhenChina
| | - Kuan Hong Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterUnited States
| | - Jufang He
- Departments of Neuroscience and Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong KongHong KongChina
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of SciencesHong KongChina
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Ji C, Yang X, Eleish M, Jiang Y, Tetlow A, Song S, Martín-Ávila A, Wu Q, Zhou Y, Gan W, Lin Y, Sigurdsson EM. Neuronal hypofunction and network dysfunction in a mouse model at an early stage of tauopathy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.29.591735. [PMID: 38746288 PMCID: PMC11092661 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.29.591735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
We previously reported altered neuronal Ca 2+ dynamics in the motor cortex of 12-month-old JNPL3 tauopathy mice during quiet wakefulness or forced running, with a tau antibody treatment significantly restoring the neuronal Ca 2+ activity profile and decreasing pathological tau in these mice 1 . Whether neuronal functional deficits occur at an early stage of tauopathy and if tau antibody treatment is effective in younger tauopathy mice needed further investigation. In addition, neuronal network activity and neuronal firing patterns have not been well studied in behaving tauopathy models. In this study, we first performed in vivo two-photon Ca 2+ imaging in JNPL3 mice in their early stage of tauopathy at 6 months of age, compared to 12 month old mice and age-matched wild-type controls to evaluate neuronal functional deficits. At the animal level, frequency of neuronal Ca 2+ transients decreased only in 6 month old tauopathy mice compared to controls, and only when animals were running on a treadmill. The amplitude of neuronal transients decreased in tauopathy mice compared to controls under resting and running conditions in both age groups. Total neuronal activity decreased only in 6 month old tauopathy mice compared to controls under resting and running conditions. Within either tauopathy or wild-type group, only total activity decreased in older wild-type animals. The tauopathy mice at different ages did not differ in neuronal Ca 2+ transient frequency, amplitude or total activity. In summary, neuronal function did significantly attenuate at an early age in tauopathy mice compared to controls but interestingly did not deteriorate between 6 and 12 months of age. A more detailed populational analysis of the pattern of Ca 2+ activity at the neuronal level in the 6 month old cohort confirmed neuronal hypoactivity in layer 2/3 of primary motor cortex, compared to wild-type controls, when animals were either resting or running on a treadmill. Despite reduced activity, neuronal Ca 2+ profiles exhibited enhanced synchrony and dysregulated responses to running stimulus. Further ex vivo electrophysiological recordings revealed reduction of spontaneous excitatory synaptic transmission onto and in pyramidal neurons and enhanced excitability of inhibitory neurons in motor cortex, which were likely responsible for altered neuronal network activity in this region. Lastly, tau antibody treatment reduced pathological tau and gliosis partially restored the neuronal Ca 2+ activity deficits but failed to rescue altered network changes. Taken together, substantial neuronal and network dysfunction occurred in the early stage of tauopathy that was partially alleviated with acute tau antibody treatment, which highlights the importance of functional assessment when evaluating the therapeutic potential of tau antibodies. Highlights Layer 2/3 motor cortical neurons exhibited hypofunction in awake and behaving mice at the early stage of tauopathy.Altered neuronal network activity disrupted local circuitry engagement in tauopathy mice during treadmill running.Layer 2/3 motor cortical neurons in tauopathy mice exhibited enhanced neuronal excitability and altered excitatory synaptic transmissions.Acute tau antibody treatment reduced pathological tau and gliosis, and partially restored neuronal hypofunction profiles but not network dysfunction.
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10
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Kundu S, Paul B, Reuevni I, Lamprecht R, Barkai E. Learning-induced bidirectional enhancement of inhibitory synaptic metaplasticity. J Physiol 2024; 602:2343-2358. [PMID: 38654583 DOI: 10.1113/jp284761] [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: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Training rodents in a particularly difficult olfactory-discrimination (OD) task results in the acquisition of the ability to perform the task well, termed 'rule learning'. In addition to enhanced intrinsic excitability and synaptic excitation in piriform cortex pyramidal neurons, rule learning results in increased synaptic inhibition across the whole cortical network to the point where it precisely maintains the balance between inhibition and excitation. The mechanism underlying such precise inhibitory enhancement remains to be explored. Here, we use brain slices from transgenic mice (VGAT-ChR2-EYFP), enabling optogenetic stimulation of single GABAergic neurons and recordings of unitary synaptic events in pyramidal neurons. Quantal analysis revealed that learning-induced enhanced inhibition is mediated by increased quantal size of the evoked inhibitory events. Next, we examined the plasticity of synaptic inhibition induced by long-lasting, intrinsically evoked spike firing in post-synaptic neurons. Repetitive depolarizing current pulses from depolarized (-70 mV) or hyperpolarized (-90 mV) membrane potentials induced long-term depression (LTD) and long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic inhibition, respectively. We found a profound bidirectional increase in the ability to induce both LTD, mediated by L-type calcium channels, and LTP, mediated by R-type calcium channels after rule learning. Blocking the GABAB receptor reversed the effect of intrinsic stimulation at -90 mV from LTP to LTD. We suggest that learning greatly enhances the ability to modify the strength of synaptic inhibition of principal neurons in both directions. Such plasticity of synaptic plasticity allows fine-tuning of inhibition on each particular neuron, thereby stabilizing the network while maintaining the memory of the rule. KEY POINTS: Olfactory discrimination rule learning results in long-lasting enhancement of synaptic inhibition on piriform cortex pyramidal neurons. Quantal analysis of unitary inhibitory synaptic events, evoked by optogenetic minimal stimulation, revealed that enhanced synaptic inhibition is mediated by increased quantal size. Surprisingly, metaplasticity of synaptic inhibition, induced by intrinsically evoked repetitive spike firing, is increased bidirectionally. The susceptibility to both long-term depression (LTD) and long-term potentiation (LTP) of inhibition is enhanced after learning. LTD of synaptic inhibition is mediated by L-type calcium channels and LTP by R-type calcium channels. LTP is also dependent on activation of GABAB receptors. We suggest that learning-induced changes in the metaplasticity of synaptic inhibition enable the fine-tuning of inhibition on each particular neuron, thereby stabilizing the network while maintaining the memory of the rule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sankhanava Kundu
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Blesson Paul
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Iris Reuevni
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Raphael Lamprecht
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Edi Barkai
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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11
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Kanigowski D, Urban-Ciecko J. Conditioning and pseudoconditioning differently change intrinsic excitability of inhibitory interneurons in the neocortex. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae109. [PMID: 38572735 PMCID: PMC10993172 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae109] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Many studies indicate a broad role of various classes of GABAergic interneurons in the processes related to learning. However, little is known about how the learning process affects intrinsic excitability of specific classes of interneurons in the neocortex. To determine this, we employed a simple model of conditional learning in mice where vibrissae stimulation was used as a conditioned stimulus and a tail shock as an unconditioned one. In vitro whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed an increase in intrinsic excitability of low-threshold spiking somatostatin-expressing interneurons (SST-INs) in layer 4 (L4) of the somatosensory (barrel) cortex after the conditioning paradigm. In contrast, pseudoconditioning reduced intrinsic excitability of SST-LTS, parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV-INs), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-expressing interneurons (VIP-INs) with accommodating pattern in L4 of the barrel cortex. In general, increased intrinsic excitability was accompanied by narrowing of action potentials (APs), whereas decreased intrinsic excitability coincided with AP broadening. Altogether, these results show that both conditioning and pseudoconditioning lead to plastic changes in intrinsic excitability of GABAergic interneurons in a cell-specific manner. In this way, changes in intrinsic excitability can be perceived as a common mechanism of learning-induced plasticity in the GABAergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Kanigowski
- Laboratory of Electrophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Urban-Ciecko
- Laboratory of Electrophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
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12
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Hedrick NG, Wright WJ, Komiyama T. Local and global predictors of synapse elimination during motor learning. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk0540. [PMID: 38489360 PMCID: PMC10942101 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk0540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
During learning, synaptic connections between excitatory neurons in the brain display considerable dynamism, with new connections being added and old connections eliminated. Synapse elimination offers an opportunity to understand the features of synapses that the brain deems dispensable. However, with limited observations of synaptic activity and plasticity in vivo, the features of synapses subjected to elimination remain poorly understood. Here, we examined the functional basis of synapse elimination in the apical dendrites of L2/3 neurons in the primary motor cortex throughout motor learning. We found no evidence that synapse elimination is facilitated by a lack of activity or other local forms of plasticity. Instead, eliminated synapses display asynchronous activity with nearby synapses, suggesting that functional synaptic clustering is a critical component of synapse survival. In addition, eliminated synapses show delayed activity timing with respect to postsynaptic output. Thus, synaptic inputs that fail to be co-active with their neighboring synapses or are mistimed with neuronal output are targeted for elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan G. Hedrick
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - William J. Wright
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Takaki Komiyama
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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13
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Wang A, Ferguson KA, Gupta J, Higley MJ, Cardin JA. Developmental trajectory of cortical somatostatin interneuron function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.05.583539. [PMID: 38496673 PMCID: PMC10942364 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.05.583539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
GABAergic inhibition is critical to the proper development of neocortical circuits. However, GABAergic interneurons are highly diverse and the developmental roles of distinct inhibitory subpopulations remain largely unclear. Dendrite-targeting, somatostatin-expressing interneurons (SST-INs) in the mature cortex regulate synaptic integration and plasticity in excitatory pyramidal neurons (PNs) and exhibit unique feature selectivity. Relatively little is known about early postnatal SST-IN activity or impact on surrounding local circuits. We examined juvenile SST-INs and PNs in mouse primary visual cortex. PNs exhibited stable visual responses and feature selectivity from eye opening onwards. In contrast, SST-INs developed visual responses and feature selectivity during the third postnatal week in parallel with a rapid increase in excitatory synaptic innervation. SST-INs largely exerted a multiplicative effect on nearby PN visual responses at all ages, but this impact increased over time. Our results identify a developmental window for the emergence of an inhibitory circuit mechanism for normalization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jyoti Gupta
- Department of Neuroscience, Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
| | - Michael J. Higley
- Department of Neuroscience, Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
| | - Jessica A. Cardin
- Department of Neuroscience, Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
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14
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Dunton KL, Hedrick NG, Meamardoost S, Ren C, Howe JR, Wang J, Root CM, Gunawan R, Komiyama T, Zhang Y, Hwang EJ. Divergent Learning-Related Transcriptional States of Cortical Glutamatergic Neurons. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0302232023. [PMID: 38238073 PMCID: PMC10919205 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0302-23.2023] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Experience-dependent gene expression reshapes neural circuits, permitting the learning of knowledge and skills. Most learning involves repetitive experiences during which neurons undergo multiple stages of functional and structural plasticity. Currently, the diversity of transcriptional responses underlying dynamic plasticity during repetition-based learning is poorly understood. To close this gap, we analyzed single-nucleus transcriptomes of L2/3 glutamatergic neurons of the primary motor cortex after 3 d motor skill training or home cage control in water-restricted male mice. "Train" and "control" neurons could be discriminated with high accuracy based on expression patterns of many genes, indicating that recent experience leaves a widespread transcriptional signature across L2/3 neurons. These discriminating genes exhibited divergent modes of coregulation, differentiating neurons into discrete clusters of transcriptional states. Several states showed gene expressions associated with activity-dependent plasticity. Some of these states were also prominent in the previously published reference, suggesting that they represent both spontaneous and task-related plasticity events. Markedly, however, two states were unique to our dataset. The first state, further enriched by motor training, showed gene expression suggestive of late-stage plasticity with repeated activation, which is suitable for expected emergent neuronal ensembles that stably retain motor learning. The second state, equally found in both train and control mice, showed elevated levels of metabolic pathways and norepinephrine sensitivity, suggesting a response to common experiences specific to our experimental conditions, such as water restriction or circadian rhythm. Together, we uncovered divergent transcriptional responses across L2/3 neurons, each potentially linked with distinct features of repetition-based motor learning such as plasticity, memory, and motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie L Dunton
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, College of the Environment and Life Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston 02881, Rhode Island
| | - Nathan G Hedrick
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Department of Neurosciences, and Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla 92093, California
| | - Saber Meamardoost
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo-SUNY, Buffalo 14260, New York
| | - Chi Ren
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Department of Neurosciences, and Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla 92093, California
| | - James R Howe
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla 92093, California
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla 92093, California
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, College of the Environment and Life Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston 02881, Rhode Island
| | - Cory M Root
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla 92093, California
| | - Rudiyanto Gunawan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo-SUNY, Buffalo 14260, New York
| | - Takaki Komiyama
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Department of Neurosciences, and Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla 92093, California
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, College of the Environment and Life Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston 02881, Rhode Island
| | - Eun Jung Hwang
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Department of Neurosciences, and Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla 92093, California
- Cell Biology and Anatomy, Chicago Medical School, Stanson Toshok Center for Brain Function and Repair, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago 60064, Illinois
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15
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You Y, An DD, Wan YS, Zheng BX, Dai HB, Zhang SH, Zhang XN, Wang RR, Shi P, Jin M, Wang Y, Jiang L, Chen Z, Hu WW. Cell-specific IL-1R1 regulates the regional heterogeneity of microglial displacement of GABAergic synapses and motor learning ability. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:116. [PMID: 38438808 PMCID: PMC10912170 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05111-0] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Microglia regulate synaptic function in various ways, including the microglial displacement of the surrounding GABAergic synapses, which provides important neuroprotection from certain diseases. However, the physiological role and underlying mechanisms of microglial synaptic displacement remain unclear. In this study, we observed that microglia exhibited heterogeneity during the displacement of GABAergic synapses surrounding neuronal soma in different cortical regions under physiological conditions. Through three-dimensional reconstruction, in vitro co-culture, two-photon calcium imaging, and local field potentials recording, we found that IL-1β negatively modulated microglial synaptic displacement to coordinate regional heterogeneity in the motor cortex, which impacted the homeostasis of the neural network and improved motor learning ability. We used the Cre-Loxp system and found that IL-1R1 on glutamatergic neurons, rather than that on microglia or GABAergic neurons, mediated the negative effect of IL-1β on synaptic displacement. This study demonstrates that IL-1β is critical for the regional heterogeneity of synaptic displacement by coordinating different actions of neurons and microglia via IL-1R1, which impacts both neural network homeostasis and motor learning ability. It provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the physiological role and mechanism of microglial displacement of GABAergic synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi You
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of The Ministry of Health of China, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Da-Dao An
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of The Ministry of Health of China, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yu-Shan Wan
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of The Ministry of Health of China, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Bai-Xiu Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of The Ministry of Health of China, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hai-Bin Dai
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of The Ministry of Health of China, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - She-Hong Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Huzhou Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Huzhou, 313000, China
| | - Xiang-Nan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of The Ministry of Health of China, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Rong-Rong Wang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peng Shi
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of The Ministry of Health of China, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Mingjuan Jin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of The Ministry of Health of China, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of The Ministry of Health of China, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Zhong Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of The Ministry of Health of China, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Wei-Wei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmacy of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of The Ministry of Health of China, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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16
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Myers-Joseph D, Wilmes KA, Fernandez-Otero M, Clopath C, Khan AG. Disinhibition by VIP interneurons is orthogonal to cross-modal attentional modulation in primary visual cortex. Neuron 2024; 112:628-645.e7. [PMID: 38070500 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.11.006] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Attentional modulation of sensory processing is a key feature of cognition; however, its neural circuit basis is poorly understood. A candidate mechanism is the disinhibition of pyramidal cells through vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and somatostatin (SOM)-positive interneurons. However, the interaction of attentional modulation and VIP-SOM disinhibition has never been directly tested. We used all-optical methods to bi-directionally manipulate VIP interneuron activity as mice performed a cross-modal attention-switching task. We measured the activities of VIP, SOM, and parvalbumin (PV)-positive interneurons and pyramidal neurons identified in the same tissue and found that although activity in all cell classes was modulated by both attention and VIP manipulation, their effects were orthogonal. Attention and VIP-SOM disinhibition relied on distinct patterns of changes in activity and reorganization of interactions between inhibitory and excitatory cells. Circuit modeling revealed a precise network architecture consistent with multiplexing strong yet non-interacting modulations in the same neural population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Myers-Joseph
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | | | | | - Claudia Clopath
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Adil G Khan
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.
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17
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Ogelman R, Gomez Wulschner LE, Hoelscher VM, Hwang IW, Chang VN, Oh WC. Serotonin modulates excitatory synapse maturation in the developing prefrontal cortex. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1368. [PMID: 38365905 PMCID: PMC10873381 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45734-w] [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: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) imbalances in the developing prefrontal cortex (PFC) are linked to long-term behavioral deficits. However, the synaptic mechanisms underlying 5-HT-mediated PFC development are unknown. We found that chemogenetic suppression and enhancement of 5-HT release in the PFC during the first two postnatal weeks decreased and increased the density and strength of excitatory spine synapses, respectively, on prefrontal layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in mice. 5-HT release on single spines induced structural and functional long-term potentiation (LTP), requiring both 5-HT2A and 5-HT7 receptor signals, in a glutamatergic activity-independent manner. Notably, LTP-inducing 5-HT stimuli increased the long-term survival of newly formed spines ( ≥ 6 h) via 5-HT7 Gαs activation. Chronic treatment of mice with fluoxetine, a selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor, during the first two weeks, but not the third week of postnatal development, increased the density and strength of excitatory synapses. The effect of fluoxetine on PFC synaptic alterations in vivo was abolished by 5-HT2A and 5-HT7 receptor antagonists. Our data describe a molecular basis of 5-HT-dependent excitatory synaptic plasticity at the level of single spines in the PFC during early postnatal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Ogelman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Luis E Gomez Wulschner
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Victoria M Hoelscher
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - In-Wook Hwang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Victoria N Chang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Won Chan Oh
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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18
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Eisenstein T, Furman-Haran E, Tal A. Early excitatory-inhibitory cortical modifications following skill learning are associated with motor memory consolidation and plasticity overnight. Nat Commun 2024; 15:906. [PMID: 38291029 PMCID: PMC10828487 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44979-9] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Consolidation of motor memories is vital to offline enhancement of new motor skills and involves short and longer-term offline processes following learning. While emerging evidence link glutamate and GABA dynamics in the primary motor cortex (M1) to online motor skill practice, its relationship with offline consolidation processes in humans is unclear. Using two-day repeated measures of behavioral and multimodal neuroimaging data before and following motor sequence learning, we show that short-term glutamatergic and GABAergic responses in M1 within minutes after learning were associated with longer-term learning-induced functional, structural, and behavioral modifications overnight. Furthermore, Glutamatergic and GABAergic modifications were differentially associated with different facets of motor memory consolidation. Our results point to unique and distinct roles of Glutamate and GABA in motor memory consolidation processes in the human brain across timescales and mechanistic levels, tying short-term changes on the neurochemical level to overnight changes in macroscale structure, function, and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamir Eisenstein
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Edna Furman-Haran
- Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Assaf Tal
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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19
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Sohn J. Synaptic configuration and reconfiguration in the neocortex are spatiotemporally selective. Anat Sci Int 2024; 99:17-33. [PMID: 37837522 PMCID: PMC10771605 DOI: 10.1007/s12565-023-00743-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Brain computation relies on the neural networks. Neurons extend the neurites such as dendrites and axons, and the contacts of these neurites that form chemical synapses are the biological basis of signal transmissions in the central nervous system. Individual neuronal outputs can influence the other neurons within the range of the axonal spread, while the activities of single neurons can be affected by the afferents in their somatodendritic fields. The morphological profile, therefore, binds the functional role each neuron can play. In addition, synaptic connectivity among neurons displays preference based on the characteristics of presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons. Here, the author reviews the "spatial" and "temporal" connection selectivity in the neocortex. The histological description of the neocortical circuitry depends primarily on the classification of cell types, and the development of gene engineering techniques allows the cell type-specific visualization of dendrites and axons as well as somata. Using genetic labeling of particular cell populations combined with immunohistochemistry and imaging at a subcellular spatial resolution, we revealed the "spatial selectivity" of cortical wirings in which synapses are non-uniformly distributed on the subcellular somatodendritic domains in a presynaptic cell type-specific manner. In addition, cortical synaptic dynamics in learning exhibit presynaptic cell type-dependent "temporal selectivity": corticocortical synapses appear only transiently during the learning phase, while learning-induced new thalamocortical synapses persist, indicating that distinct circuits may supervise learning-specific ephemeral synapse and memory-specific immortal synapse formation. The selectivity of spatial configuration and temporal reconfiguration in the neural circuitry may govern diverse functions in the neocortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaerin Sohn
- Department of Systematic Anatomy and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
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20
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Hattori R, Hedrick NG, Jain A, Chen S, You H, Hattori M, Choi JH, Lim BK, Yasuda R, Komiyama T. Meta-reinforcement learning via orbitofrontal cortex. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:2182-2191. [PMID: 37957318 PMCID: PMC10689244 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01485-3] [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: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The meta-reinforcement learning (meta-RL) framework, which involves RL over multiple timescales, has been successful in training deep RL models that generalize to new environments. It has been hypothesized that the prefrontal cortex may mediate meta-RL in the brain, but the evidence is scarce. Here we show that the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) mediates meta-RL. We trained mice and deep RL models on a probabilistic reversal learning task across sessions during which they improved their trial-by-trial RL policy through meta-learning. Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II-dependent synaptic plasticity in OFC was necessary for this meta-learning but not for the within-session trial-by-trial RL in experts. After meta-learning, OFC activity robustly encoded value signals, and OFC inactivation impaired the RL behaviors. Longitudinal tracking of OFC activity revealed that meta-learning gradually shapes population value coding to guide the ongoing behavioral policy. Our results indicate that two distinct RL algorithms with distinct neural mechanisms and timescales coexist in OFC to support adaptive decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoma Hattori
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, University of Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA.
| | - Nathan G Hedrick
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anant Jain
- Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Shuqi Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hanjia You
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mariko Hattori
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jun-Hyeok Choi
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Byung Kook Lim
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ryohei Yasuda
- Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Takaki Komiyama
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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21
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Friedenberger Z, Harkin E, Tóth K, Naud R. Silences, spikes and bursts: Three-part knot of the neural code. J Physiol 2023; 601:5165-5193. [PMID: 37889516 DOI: 10.1113/jp281510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
When a neuron breaks silence, it can emit action potentials in a number of patterns. Some responses are so sudden and intense that electrophysiologists felt the need to single them out, labelling action potentials emitted at a particularly high frequency with a metonym - bursts. Is there more to bursts than a figure of speech? After all, sudden bouts of high-frequency firing are expected to occur whenever inputs surge. The burst coding hypothesis advances that the neural code has three syllables: silences, spikes and bursts. We review evidence supporting this ternary code in terms of devoted mechanisms for burst generation, synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity. We also review the learning and attention theories for which such a triad is beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Friedenberger
- Brain and Mind Institute, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Neural Dynamics and Artifical Intelligence, Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Ottawa
| | - Emerson Harkin
- Brain and Mind Institute, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katalin Tóth
- Brain and Mind Institute, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard Naud
- Brain and Mind Institute, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Neural Dynamics and Artifical Intelligence, Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Ottawa
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22
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Kogan E, Lu J, Zuo Y. Cortical circuit dynamics underlying motor skill learning: from rodents to humans. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1292685. [PMID: 37965043 PMCID: PMC10641381 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1292685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Motor learning is crucial for the survival of many animals. Acquiring a new motor skill involves complex alterations in both local neural circuits in many brain regions and long-range connections between them. Such changes can be observed anatomically and functionally. The primary motor cortex (M1) integrates information from diverse brain regions and plays a pivotal role in the acquisition and refinement of new motor skills. In this review, we discuss how motor learning affects the M1 at synaptic, cellular, and circuit levels. Wherever applicable, we attempt to relate and compare findings in humans, non-human primates, and rodents. Understanding the underlying principles shared by different species will deepen our understanding of the neurobiological and computational basis of motor learning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yi Zuo
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, United States
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23
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Swanson OK, Yevoo PE, Richard D, Maffei A. Altered Thalamocortical Signaling in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. J Neurosci 2023; 43:6021-6034. [PMID: 37527923 PMCID: PMC10451150 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2871-20.2023] [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: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Activation of the primary motor cortex (M1) is important for the execution of skilled movements and motor learning, and its dysfunction contributes to the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). A well-accepted idea in PD research, albeit not tested experimentally, is that the loss of midbrain dopamine leads to decreased activation of M1 by the motor thalamus. Here, we report that midbrain dopamine loss altered motor thalamus input in a laminar- and cell type-specific fashion and induced laminar-specific changes in intracortical synaptic transmission. Frequency-dependent changes in synaptic dynamics were also observed. Our results demonstrate that loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons alters thalamocortical activation of M1 in both male and female mice, and provide novel insights into circuit mechanisms for motor cortex dysfunction in a mouse model of PD.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Loss of midbrain dopamine neurons increases inhibition from the basal ganglia to the motor thalamus, suggesting that it may ultimately lead to reduced activation of primary motor cortex (M1). In contrast with this line of thinking, analysis of M1 activity in patients and animal models of Parkinson's disease report hyperactivation of this region. Our results are the first report that midbrain dopamine loss alters the input-output function of M1 through laminar and cell type specific effects. These findings support and expand on the idea that loss of midbrain dopamine reduces motor cortex activation and provide experimental evidence that reconciles reduced thalamocortical input with reports of altered activation of motor cortex in patients with Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia K Swanson
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, State University of New York-Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, State University of New York-Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794
| | - Priscilla E Yevoo
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, State University of New York-Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, State University of New York-Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794
| | - Dave Richard
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, State University of New York-Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794
| | - Arianna Maffei
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, State University of New York-Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, State University of New York-Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794
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Green J, Bruno CA, Traunmüller L, Ding J, Hrvatin S, Wilson DE, Khodadad T, Samuels J, Greenberg ME, Harvey CD. A cell-type-specific error-correction signal in the posterior parietal cortex. Nature 2023; 620:366-373. [PMID: 37468637 PMCID: PMC10412446 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06357-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Neurons in the posterior parietal cortex contribute to the execution of goal-directed navigation1 and other decision-making tasks2-4. Although molecular studies have catalogued more than 50 cortical cell types5, it remains unclear what distinct functions they have in this area. Here we identified a molecularly defined subset of somatostatin (Sst) inhibitory neurons that, in the mouse posterior parietal cortex, carry a cell-type-specific error-correction signal for navigation. We obtained repeatable experimental access to these cells using an adeno-associated virus in which gene expression is driven by an enhancer that functions specifically in a subset of Sst cells6. We found that during goal-directed navigation in a virtual environment, this subset of Sst neurons activates in a synchronous pattern that is distinct from the activity of surrounding neurons, including other Sst neurons. Using in vivo two-photon photostimulation and ex vivo paired patch-clamp recordings, we show that nearby cells of this Sst subtype excite each other through gap junctions, revealing a self-excitation circuit motif that contributes to the synchronous activity of this cell type. These cells selectively activate as mice execute course corrections for deviations in their virtual heading during navigation towards a reward location, for both self-induced and experimentally induced deviations. We propose that this subtype of Sst neurons provides a self-reinforcing and cell-type-specific error-correction signal in the posterior parietal cortex that may help with the execution and learning of accurate goal-directed navigation trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Green
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Carissa A Bruno
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lisa Traunmüller
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Ding
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Siniša Hrvatin
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Whitehead Institute, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Daniel E Wilson
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas Khodadad
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan Samuels
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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25
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Chaudoin TR, Bonasera SJ, Dunaevsky A, Padmashri R. Exploring behavioral phenotypes in a mouse model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Dev Neurobiol 2023; 83:184-204. [PMID: 37433012 PMCID: PMC10546278 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22922] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are one of the leading causes of developmental abnormalities worldwide. Maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy leads to a diverse range of cognitive and neurobehavioral deficits. Although moderate-to-heavy levels of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) have been associated with adverse offspring outcomes, there is limited data on the consequences of chronic low-level PAE. Here, we use a model of maternal voluntary alcohol consumption throughout gestation in a mouse model to investigate the effects of PAE on behavioral phenotypes during late adolescence and early adulthood in male and female offspring. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Baseline behaviors, including feeding, drinking, and movement, were examined by performing home cage monitoring studies. The impact of PAE on motor function, motor skill learning, hyperactivity, acoustic reactivity, and sensorimotor gating was investigated by performing a battery of behavioral tests. PAE was found to be associated with altered body composition. No differences in overall movement, food, or water consumption were observed between control and PAE mice. Although PAE offspring of both sexes exhibited deficits in motor skill learning, no differences were observed in basic motor skills such as grip strength and motor coordination. PAE females exhibited a hyperactive phenotype in a novel environment. PAE mice exhibited increased reactivity to acoustic stimuli, and PAE females showed disrupted short-term habituation. Sensorimotor gating was not altered in PAE mice. Collectively, our data show that chronic low-level exposure to alcohol in utero results in behavioral impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tammy R Chaudoin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Stephen J Bonasera
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Anna Dunaevsky
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Ragunathan Padmashri
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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26
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Colquitt BM, Li K, Green F, Veline R, Brainard MS. Neural circuit-wide analysis of changes to gene expression during deafening-induced birdsong destabilization. eLife 2023; 12:e85970. [PMID: 37284822 PMCID: PMC10259477 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85970] [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: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensory feedback is required for the stable execution of learned motor skills, and its loss can severely disrupt motor performance. The neural mechanisms that mediate sensorimotor stability have been extensively studied at systems and physiological levels, yet relatively little is known about how disruptions to sensory input alter the molecular properties of associated motor systems. Songbird courtship song, a model for skilled behavior, is a learned and highly structured vocalization that is destabilized following deafening. Here, we sought to determine how the loss of auditory feedback modifies gene expression and its coordination across the birdsong sensorimotor circuit. To facilitate this system-wide analysis of transcriptional responses, we developed a gene expression profiling approach that enables the construction of hundreds of spatially-defined RNA-sequencing libraries. Using this method, we found that deafening preferentially alters gene expression across birdsong neural circuitry relative to surrounding areas, particularly in premotor and striatal regions. Genes with altered expression are associated with synaptic transmission, neuronal spines, and neuromodulation and show a bias toward expression in glutamatergic neurons and Pvalb/Sst-class GABAergic interneurons. We also found that connected song regions exhibit correlations in gene expression that were reduced in deafened birds relative to hearing birds, suggesting that song destabilization alters the inter-region coordination of transcriptional states. Finally, lesioning LMAN, a forebrain afferent of RA required for deafening-induced song plasticity, had the largest effect on groups of genes that were also most affected by deafening. Combined, this integrated transcriptomics analysis demonstrates that the loss of peripheral sensory input drives a distributed gene expression response throughout associated sensorimotor neural circuitry and identifies specific candidate molecular and cellular mechanisms that support the stability and plasticity of learned motor skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley M Colquitt
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteChevy ChaseUnited States
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Kelly Li
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteChevy ChaseUnited States
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Foad Green
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteChevy ChaseUnited States
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Robert Veline
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteChevy ChaseUnited States
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Michael S Brainard
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteChevy ChaseUnited States
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
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27
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Lee C, Côté SL, Raman N, Chaudhary H, Mercado BC, Chen SX. Whole-brain mapping of long-range inputs to the VIP-expressing inhibitory neurons in the primary motor cortex. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1093066. [PMID: 37275468 PMCID: PMC10237295 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1093066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The primary motor cortex (MOp) is an important site for motor skill learning. Interestingly, neurons in MOp possess reward-related activity, presumably to facilitate reward-based motor learning. While pyramidal neurons (PNs) and different subtypes of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons (INs) in MOp all undergo cell-type specific plastic changes during motor learning, the vasoactive intestinal peptide-expressing inhibitory interneurons (VIP-INs) in MOp have been shown to preferentially respond to reward and play a critical role in the early phases of motor learning by triggering local circuit plasticity. To understand how VIP-INs might integrate various streams of information, such as sensory, pre-motor, and reward-related inputs, to regulate local plasticity in MOp, we performed monosynaptic rabies tracing experiments and employed an automated cell counting pipeline to generate a comprehensive map of brain-wide inputs to VIP-INs in MOp. We then compared this input profile to the brain-wide inputs to somatostatin-expressing inhibitory interneurons (SST-INs) and parvalbumin-expressing inhibitory interneurons (PV-INs) in MOp. We found that while all cell types received major inputs from sensory, motor, and prefrontal cortical regions, as well as from various thalamic nuclei, VIP-INs received more inputs from the orbital frontal cortex (ORB) - a region associated with reinforcement learning and value predictions. Our findings provide insight on how the brain leverages microcircuit motifs by both integrating and partitioning different streams of long-range input to modulate local circuit activity and plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice Lee
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sandrine L. Côté
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Nima Raman
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Hritvic Chaudhary
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Bryan C. Mercado
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Simon X. Chen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Center for Neural Dynamics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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28
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Kim CM, Finkelstein A, Chow CC, Svoboda K, Darshan R. Distributing task-related neural activity across a cortical network through task-independent connections. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2851. [PMID: 37202424 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38529-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Task-related neural activity is widespread across populations of neurons during goal-directed behaviors. However, little is known about the synaptic reorganization and circuit mechanisms that lead to broad activity changes. Here we trained a subset of neurons in a spiking network with strong synaptic interactions to reproduce the activity of neurons in the motor cortex during a decision-making task. Task-related activity, resembling the neural data, emerged across the network, even in the untrained neurons. Analysis of trained networks showed that strong untrained synapses, which were independent of the task and determined the dynamical state of the network, mediated the spread of task-related activity. Optogenetic perturbations suggest that the motor cortex is strongly-coupled, supporting the applicability of the mechanism to cortical networks. Our results reveal a cortical mechanism that facilitates distributed representations of task-variables by spreading the activity from a subset of plastic neurons to the entire network through task-independent strong synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Kim
- Laboratory of Biological Modeling, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA.
| | - Arseny Finkelstein
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Carson C Chow
- Laboratory of Biological Modeling, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Karel Svoboda
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
- Allen Institute for Neural Dynamics, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ran Darshan
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA.
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29
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Delepine C, Shih J, Li K, Gaudeaux P, Sur M. Differential Effects of Astrocyte Manipulations on Learned Motor Behavior and Neuronal Ensembles in the Motor Cortex. J Neurosci 2023; 43:2696-2713. [PMID: 36894315 PMCID: PMC10089242 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1982-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Although motor cortex is crucial for learning precise and reliable movements, whether and how astrocytes contribute to its plasticity and function during motor learning is unknown. Here, we report that astrocyte-specific manipulations in primary motor cortex (M1) during a lever push task alter motor learning and execution, as well as the underlying neuronal population coding. Mice that express decreased levels of the astrocyte glutamate transporter 1 (GLT1) show impaired and variable movement trajectories, whereas mice with increased astrocyte Gq signaling show decreased performance rates, delayed response times, and impaired trajectories. In both groups, which include male and female mice, M1 neurons have altered interneuronal correlations and impaired population representations of task parameters, including response time and movement trajectories. RNA sequencing further supports a role for M1 astrocytes in motor learning and shows changes in astrocytic expression of glutamate transporter genes, GABA transporter genes, and extracellular matrix protein genes in mice that have acquired this learned behavior. Thus, astrocytes coordinate M1 neuronal activity during motor learning, and our results suggest that this contributes to learned movement execution and dexterity through mechanisms that include regulation of neurotransmitter transport and calcium signaling.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We demonstrate for the first time that in the M1 of mice, astrocyte function is critical for coordinating neuronal population activity during motor learning. We demonstrate that knockdown of astrocyte glutamate transporter GLT1 affects specific components of learning, such as smooth trajectory formation. Altering astrocyte calcium signaling by activation of Gq-DREADD upregulates GLT1 and affects other components of learning, such as response rates and reaction times as well as trajectory smoothness. In both manipulations, neuronal activity in motor cortex is dysregulated, but in different ways. Thus, astrocytes have a crucial role in motor learning via their influence on motor cortex neurons, and they do so by mechanisms that include regulation of glutamate transport and calcium signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Delepine
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Jennifer Shih
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Keji Li
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Pierre Gaudeaux
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Mriganka Sur
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
- Simons Center for the Social Brain, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
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30
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Xu Z, Geron E, Pérez-Cuesta LM, Bai Y, Gan WB. Generalized extinction of fear memory depends on co-allocation of synaptic plasticity in dendrites. Nat Commun 2023; 14:503. [PMID: 36720872 PMCID: PMC9889816 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-35805-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Memories can be modified by new experience in a specific or generalized manner. Changes in synaptic connections are crucial for memory storage, but it remains unknown how synaptic changes associated with different memories are distributed within neuronal circuits and how such distributions affect specific or generalized modification by novel experience. Here we show that fear conditioning with two different auditory stimuli (CS) and footshocks (US) induces dendritic spine elimination mainly on different dendritic branches of layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the mouse motor cortex. Subsequent fear extinction causes CS-specific spine formation and extinction of freezing behavior. In contrast, spine elimination induced by fear conditioning with >2 different CS-USs often co-exists on the same dendritic branches. Fear extinction induces CS-nonspecific spine formation and generalized fear extinction. Moreover, activation of somatostatin-expressing interneurons increases the occurrence of spine elimination induced by different CS-USs on the same dendritic branches and facilitates the generalization of fear extinction. These findings suggest that specific or generalized modification of existing memories by new experience depends on whether synaptic changes induced by previous experiences are segregated or co-exist at the level of individual dendritic branches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Xu
- Institute of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China
- Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Erez Geron
- Skirball Institute, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Luis M Pérez-Cuesta
- Skirball Institute, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Yang Bai
- Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Wen-Biao Gan
- Institute of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China.
- Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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31
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Quantitative Fluorescence Analysis Reveals Dendrite-Specific Thalamocortical Plasticity in L5 Pyramidal Neurons during Learning. J Neurosci 2023; 43:584-600. [PMID: 36639912 PMCID: PMC9888508 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1372-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
High-throughput anatomic data can stimulate and constrain new hypotheses about how neural circuits change in response to experience. Here, we use fluorescence-based reagents for presynaptic and postsynaptic labeling to monitor changes in thalamocortical synapses onto different compartments of layer 5 (L5) pyramidal (Pyr) neurons in somatosensory (barrel) cortex from mixed-sex mice during whisker-dependent learning (Audette et al., 2019). Using axonal fills and molecular-genetic tags for synapse identification in fixed tissue from Rbp4-Cre transgenic mice, we found that thalamocortical synapses from the higher-order posterior medial thalamic nucleus showed rapid morphologic changes in both presynaptic and postsynaptic structures at the earliest stages of sensory association training. Detected increases in thalamocortical synaptic size were compartment specific, occurring selectively in the proximal dendrites onto L5 Pyr and not at inputs onto their apical tufts in L1. Both axonal and dendritic changes were transient, normalizing back to baseline as animals became expert in the task. Anatomical measurements were corroborated by electrophysiological recordings at different stages of training. Thus, fluorescence-based analysis of input- and target-specific synapses can reveal compartment-specific changes in synapse properties during learning.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Synaptic changes underlie the cellular basis of learning, experience, and neurologic diseases. Neuroanatomical methods to assess synaptic plasticity can provide critical spatial information necessary for building models of neuronal computations during learning and experience but are technically and fiscally intensive. Here, we describe a confocal fluorescence microscopy-based analytical method to assess input, cell type, and dendritic location-specific synaptic plasticity in a sensory learning assay. Our method not only confirms prior electrophysiological measurements but allows us to predict functional strength of synapses in a pathway-specific manner. Our findings also indicate that changes in primary sensory cortices are transient, occurring during early learning. Fluorescence-based synapse identification can be an efficient and easily adopted approach to study synaptic changes in a variety of experimental paradigms.
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Mikulasch FA, Rudelt L, Wibral M, Priesemann V. Where is the error? Hierarchical predictive coding through dendritic error computation. Trends Neurosci 2023; 46:45-59. [PMID: 36577388 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2022.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Top-down feedback in cortex is critical for guiding sensory processing, which has prominently been formalized in the theory of hierarchical predictive coding (hPC). However, experimental evidence for error units, which are central to the theory, is inconclusive and it remains unclear how hPC can be implemented with spiking neurons. To address this, we connect hPC to existing work on efficient coding in balanced networks with lateral inhibition and predictive computation at apical dendrites. Together, this work points to an efficient implementation of hPC with spiking neurons, where prediction errors are computed not in separate units, but locally in dendritic compartments. We then discuss the correspondence of this model to experimentally observed connectivity patterns, plasticity, and dynamics in cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian A Mikulasch
- Max-Planck-Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Lucas Rudelt
- Max-Planck-Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael Wibral
- Göttingen Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Viola Priesemann
- Max-Planck-Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN), Göttingen, Germany; Department of Physics, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
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33
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Kołosowska KA, Schratt G, Winterer J. microRNA-dependent regulation of gene expression in GABAergic interneurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1188574. [PMID: 37213213 PMCID: PMC10196030 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1188574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Information processing within neuronal circuits relies on their proper development and a balanced interplay between principal and local inhibitory interneurons within those circuits. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic inhibitory interneurons are a remarkably heterogeneous population, comprising subclasses based on their morphological, electrophysiological, and molecular features, with differential connectivity and activity patterns. microRNA (miRNA)-dependent post-transcriptional control of gene expression represents an important regulatory mechanism for neuronal development and plasticity. miRNAs are a large group of small non-coding RNAs (21-24 nucleotides) acting as negative regulators of mRNA translation and stability. However, while miRNA-dependent gene regulation in principal neurons has been described heretofore in several studies, an understanding of the role of miRNAs in inhibitory interneurons is only beginning to emerge. Recent research demonstrated that miRNAs are differentially expressed in interneuron subclasses, are vitally important for migration, maturation, and survival of interneurons during embryonic development and are crucial for cognitive function and memory formation. In this review, we discuss recent progress in understanding miRNA-dependent regulation of gene expression in interneuron development and function. We aim to shed light onto mechanisms by which miRNAs in GABAergic interneurons contribute to sculpting neuronal circuits, and how their dysregulation may underlie the emergence of numerous neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gerhard Schratt
- Lab of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, Institute for Neuroscience, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jochen Winterer
- Lab of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, Institute for Neuroscience, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Jochen Winterer,
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Miehl C, Gjorgjieva J. Stability and learning in excitatory synapses by nonlinear inhibitory plasticity. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010682. [PMID: 36459503 PMCID: PMC9718420 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic changes are hypothesized to underlie learning and memory formation in the brain. But Hebbian synaptic plasticity of excitatory synapses on its own is unstable, leading to either unlimited growth of synaptic strengths or silencing of neuronal activity without additional homeostatic mechanisms. To control excitatory synaptic strengths, we propose a novel form of synaptic plasticity at inhibitory synapses. Using computational modeling, we suggest two key features of inhibitory plasticity, dominance of inhibition over excitation and a nonlinear dependence on the firing rate of postsynaptic excitatory neurons whereby inhibitory synaptic strengths change with the same sign (potentiate or depress) as excitatory synaptic strengths. We demonstrate that the stable synaptic strengths realized by this novel inhibitory plasticity model affects excitatory/inhibitory weight ratios in agreement with experimental results. Applying a disinhibitory signal can gate plasticity and lead to the generation of receptive fields and strong bidirectional connectivity in a recurrent network. Hence, a novel form of nonlinear inhibitory plasticity can simultaneously stabilize excitatory synaptic strengths and enable learning upon disinhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Miehl
- Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- * E-mail: (CM); (JG)
| | - Julijana Gjorgjieva
- Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- * E-mail: (CM); (JG)
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35
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Wu YK, Miehl C, Gjorgjieva J. Regulation of circuit organization and function through inhibitory synaptic plasticity. Trends Neurosci 2022; 45:884-898. [PMID: 36404455 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2022.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Diverse inhibitory neurons in the mammalian brain shape circuit connectivity and dynamics through mechanisms of synaptic plasticity. Inhibitory plasticity can establish excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance, control neuronal firing, and affect local calcium concentration, hence regulating neuronal activity at the network, single neuron, and dendritic level. Computational models can synthesize multiple experimental results and provide insight into how inhibitory plasticity controls circuit dynamics and sculpts connectivity by identifying phenomenological learning rules amenable to mathematical analysis. We highlight recent studies on the role of inhibitory plasticity in modulating excitatory plasticity, forming structured networks underlying memory formation and recall, and implementing adaptive phenomena and novelty detection. We conclude with experimental and modeling progress on the role of interneuron-specific plasticity in circuit computation and context-dependent learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Kris Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christoph Miehl
- School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Julijana Gjorgjieva
- School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt, Germany.
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36
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Zhu F, Grier HA, Tandon R, Cai C, Agarwal A, Giovannucci A, Kaufman MT, Pandarinath C. A deep learning framework for inference of single-trial neural population dynamics from calcium imaging with subframe temporal resolution. Nat Neurosci 2022; 25:1724-1734. [PMID: 36424431 PMCID: PMC9825112 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01189-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In many areas of the brain, neural populations act as a coordinated network whose state is tied to behavior on a millisecond timescale. Two-photon (2p) calcium imaging is a powerful tool to probe such network-scale phenomena. However, estimating the network state and dynamics from 2p measurements has proven challenging because of noise, inherent nonlinearities and limitations on temporal resolution. Here we describe Recurrent Autoencoder for Discovering Imaged Calcium Latents (RADICaL), a deep learning method to overcome these limitations at the population level. RADICaL extends methods that exploit dynamics in spiking activity for application to deconvolved calcium signals, whose statistics and temporal dynamics are quite distinct from electrophysiologically recorded spikes. It incorporates a new network training strategy that capitalizes on the timing of 2p sampling to recover network dynamics with high temporal precision. In synthetic tests, RADICaL infers the network state more accurately than previous methods, particularly for high-frequency components. In 2p recordings from sensorimotor areas in mice performing a forelimb reach task, RADICaL infers network state with close correspondence to single-trial variations in behavior and maintains high-quality inference even when neuronal populations are substantially reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhu
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Harrison A Grier
- Committee on Computational Neuroscience, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Raghav Tandon
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Changjia Cai
- Joint Biomedical Engineering Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Andrea Giovannucci
- Joint Biomedical Engineering Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Closed-Loop Engineering for Advanced Rehabilitation (CLEAR), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Matthew T Kaufman
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Chethan Pandarinath
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Center for Machine Learning, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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37
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Macías M, Lopez-Virgen V, Olivares-Moreno R, Rojas-Piloni G. Corticospinal neurons from motor and somatosensory cortices exhibit different temporal activity dynamics during motor learning. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:1043501. [PMID: 36504625 PMCID: PMC9732016 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.1043501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to learn motor skills implicates an improvement in accuracy, speed and consistency of movements. Motor control is related to movement execution and involves corticospinal neurons (CSp), which are broadly distributed in layer 5B of the motor and somatosensory cortices. CSp neurons innervate the spinal cord and are functionally diverse. However, whether CSp activity differs between different cortical areas throughout motor learning has been poorly explored. Given the importance and interaction between primary motor (M1) and somatosensory (S1) cortices related to movement, we examined the functional roles of CSp neurons in both areas. We induced the expression of GCaMP7s calcium indicator to perform photometric calcium recordings from layer 5B CSp neurons simultaneously in M1 and S1 cortices and track their activity while adult mice learned and performed a cued lever-press task. We found that during early learning sessions, the population calcium activity of CSp neurons in both cortices during movement did not change significantly. In late learning sessions the peak amplitude and duration of calcium activity CSp neurons increased in both, M1 and S1 cortices. However, S1 and M1 CSp neurons display a different temporal dynamic during movements that occurred when animals learned the task; both M1 and S1 CSp neurons activate before movement initiation, however, M1 CSp neurons continue active during movement performance, reinforcing the idea of the diversity of the CSp system and suggesting that CSp neuron activity in M1 and S1 cortices throughout motor learning have different functional roles for sensorimotor integration.
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38
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Synaptic pruning through glial synapse engulfment upon motor learning. Nat Neurosci 2022; 25:1458-1469. [PMID: 36319770 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01184-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Synaptic pruning is a fundamental process of neuronal circuit refinement in learning and memory. Accumulating evidence suggests that glia participates in sculpting the neuronal circuits through synapse engulfment. However, whether glial involvement in synaptic pruning has a role in memory formation remains elusive. Using newly developed phagocytosis reporter mice and three-dimensional ultrastructural characterization, we found that synaptic engulfment by cerebellar Bergmann glia (BG) frequently occurred upon cerebellum-dependent motor learning in mice. We observed increases in pre- and postsynaptic nibbling by BG along with a reduction in spine volume after learning. Pharmacological blockade of engulfment with Annexin V inhibited both the spine volume reduction and overnight improvement of motor adaptation. These results indicate that BG contribute to the refinement of the mature cerebellar cortical circuit through synaptic engulfment during motor learning.
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39
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Okoro SU, Goz RU, Njeri BW, Harish M, Ruff CF, Ross SE, Gerfen C, Hooks BM. Organization of Cortical and Thalamic Input to Inhibitory Neurons in Mouse Motor Cortex. J Neurosci 2022; 42:8095-8112. [PMID: 36104281 PMCID: PMC9637002 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0950-22.2022] [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: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracortical inhibition in motor cortex (M1) regulates movement and motor learning. If cortical and thalamic inputs target different inhibitory cell types in different layers, then these afferents may play different roles in regulating M1 output. Using mice of both sexes, we quantified input to two main classes of M1 interneurons, parvalbumin+ (PV+) cells and somatostatin+ (SOM+) cells, using monosynaptic rabies tracing. We then compared anatomic and functional connectivity based on synaptic strength from sensory cortex and thalamus. Functionally, each input innervated M1 interneurons with a unique laminar profile. Different interneuron types were excited in a distinct, complementary manner, suggesting feedforward inhibition proceeds selectively via distinct circuits. Specifically, somatosensory cortex (S1) inputs primarily targeted PV+ neurons in upper layers (L2/3) but SOM+ neurons in middle layers (L5). Somatosensory thalamus [posterior nucleus (PO)] inputs targeted PV+ neurons in middle layers (L5). In contrast to sensory cortical areas, thalamic input to SOM+ neurons was equivalent to that of PV+ neurons. Thus, long-range excitatory inputs target inhibitory neurons in an area and a cell type-specific manner, which contrasts with input to neighboring pyramidal cells. In contrast to feedforward inhibition providing generic inhibitory tone in cortex, circuits are selectively organized to recruit inhibition matched to incoming excitatory circuits.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT M1 integrates sensory information and frontal cortical inputs to plan and control movements. Although inputs to excitatory cells are described, the synaptic circuits by which these inputs drive specific types of M1 interneurons are unknown. Anatomical results with rabies tracing and physiological quantification of synaptic strength shows that two main classes of inhibitory cells (PV+ and SOM+ interneurons) both receive substantial cortical and thalamic input, in contrast to interneurons in sensory areas (where thalamic input strongly prefers PV+ interneurons). Further, each input studied targets PV+ and SOM+ interneurons in a different fashion, suggesting that separate, specific circuits exist for recruitment of feedforward inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra U Okoro
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
| | - Roman U Goz
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
| | - Brigdet W Njeri
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
| | - Madhumita Harish
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
| | - Catherine F Ruff
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
| | - Sarah E Ross
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
| | - Charles Gerfen
- National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Bryan M Hooks
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
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40
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Park E, Barth AL. IEG expression defines SST neuron ensembles critical for motor learning. Neuron 2022; 110:3222-3224. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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41
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Yang J, Serrano P, Yin X, Sun X, Lin Y, Chen SX. Functionally distinct NPAS4-expressing somatostatin interneuron ensembles critical for motor skill learning. Neuron 2022; 110:3339-3355.e8. [PMID: 36099920 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
During motor learning, dendritic spines on pyramidal neurons (PNs) in the primary motor cortex (M1) undergo reorganization. Intriguingly, the inhibition from local somatostatin-expressing inhibitory neurons (SST-INs) plays an important role in regulating the PN plasticity and thus new motor skill acquisition. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. Here, we identified that the early-response transcription factor, NPAS4, is selectively expressed in SST-INs during motor learning. By utilizing in vivo two-photon imaging in mice, we found that cell-type-specific deletion of Npas4 in M1 disrupted learning-induced spine reorganization among PNs and impaired motor learning. In addition, NPAS4-expressing SST-INs exhibited lower neuronal activity during task-related movements, and chemogenetically increasing the activity of NPAS4-expressing ensembles was sufficient to mimic the effects of Npas4 deletion. Together, our results reveal an instructive role of NPAS4-expressing SST-INs in modulating the inhibition to downstream task-related PNs to allow proper spine reorganization that is critical for motor learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungwoo Yang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Pablo Serrano
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Xuming Yin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Xiaochen Sun
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Yingxi Lin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Simon X Chen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; Center for Neural Dynamics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
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42
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Fish KN, Joffe ME. Targeting prefrontal cortex GABAergic microcircuits for the treatment of alcohol use disorder. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2022; 14:936911. [PMID: 36105666 PMCID: PMC9465392 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2022.936911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Developing novel treatments for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) is of paramount importance for improving patient outcomes and alleviating the suffering related to the disease. A better understanding of the molecular and neurocircuit mechanisms through which alcohol alters brain function will be instrumental in the rational development of new efficacious treatments. Clinical studies have consistently associated the prefrontal cortex (PFC) function with symptoms of AUDs. Population-level analyses have linked the PFC structure and function with heavy drinking and/or AUD diagnosis. Thus, targeting specific PFC cell types and neural circuits holds promise for the development of new treatments. Here, we overview the tremendous diversity in the form and function of inhibitory neuron subtypes within PFC and describe their therapeutic potential. We then summarize AUD population genetics studies, clinical neurophysiology findings, and translational neuroscience discoveries. This study collectively suggests that changes in fast transmission through PFC inhibitory microcircuits are a central component of the neurobiological effects of ethanol and the core symptoms of AUDs. Finally, we submit that there is a significant and timely need to examine sex as a biological variable and human postmortem brain tissue to maximize the efforts in translating findings to new clinical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Max E. Joffe
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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43
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Qiao Q, Wu C, Ma L, Zhang H, Li M, Wu X, Gan WB. Motor learning-induced new dendritic spines are preferentially involved in the learned task than existing spines. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111229. [PMID: 35977515 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Learning induces the formation of new synapses in addition to changes of existing synapse strength. However, it remains unclear whether new synapses serve different functions from existing synapses. By performing two-photon structural and Ca2+ imaging of postsynaptic dendritic spines in layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons, we show that new spine formation increases in the mouse motor cortex 8-24 h after motor training. New spines, not existing spine populations, are preferentially active when mice perform the learned task rather than a new task. New spine activity is also more synchronized with dendritic/somatic activity when the learned task, not a new task, is carried out. Furthermore, new spines are formed to increase the task specificity in a subset of neurons, and their survival is not affected when a new task is learned. These findings suggest that newly formed synapses preferentially increase the task specificity of neurons over existing synapses at the retention stage of motor learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Qiao
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China; School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Chunling Wu
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lei Ma
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China; School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Miao Li
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xujun Wu
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
| | - Wen-Biao Gan
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China; School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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44
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Sohn J, Suzuki M, Youssef M, Hatada S, Larkum ME, Kawaguchi Y, Kubota Y. Presynaptic supervision of cortical spine dynamics in motor learning. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm0531. [PMID: 35895812 PMCID: PMC9328689 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm0531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In mammalian neocortex, learning triggers the formation and turnover of new postsynaptic spines on pyramidal cell dendrites. However, the biological principles of spine reorganization during learning remain elusive because the identity of their presynaptic neuronal partners is unknown. Here, we show that two presynaptic neural circuits supervise distinct programs of spine dynamics to execute learning. We imaged spine dynamics in motor cortex during learning and performed post hoc identification of their afferent presynaptic neurons. New spines that appeared during learning formed small transient contacts with corticocortical neurons that were eliminated on skill acquisition. In contrast, persistent spines with axons from thalamic neurons were formed and enlarged. These results suggest that pyramidal cell dendrites in motor cortex use a neural circuit division of labor during skill learning, with dynamic teaching contacts from top-down intracortical axons followed by synaptic memory formation driven by thalamic axons. Dual spine supervision may govern diverse skill learning in the neocortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaerin Sohn
- Division of Cerebral Circuitry, National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS), Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
- Section of Electron Microscopy, Supportive Center for Brain Research, National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS), Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
| | - Mototaka Suzuki
- Neurocure Center for Excellence, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mohammed Youssef
- Division of Cerebral Circuitry, National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS), Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
| | - Sayuri Hatada
- Division of Cerebral Circuitry, National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS), Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
| | - Matthew E. Larkum
- Neurocure Center for Excellence, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Humboldt University of Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Yasuo Kawaguchi
- Division of Cerebral Circuitry, National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS), Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
- Department of Physiological Sciences, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
- Brain Science Institute, Tamagawa University, Machida, Tokyo 194-8610, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Kubota
- Division of Cerebral Circuitry, National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS), Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
- Section of Electron Microscopy, Supportive Center for Brain Research, National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS), Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
- Department of Physiological Sciences, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
- Support Unit for Electron Microscopy Techniques, Research Resources Division, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako 351-0198, Japan
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45
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Ren C, Peng K, Yang R, Liu W, Liu C, Komiyama T. Global and subtype-specific modulation of cortical inhibitory neurons regulated by acetylcholine during motor learning. Neuron 2022; 110:2334-2350.e8. [PMID: 35584693 PMCID: PMC9308684 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitory neurons (INs) consist of distinct subtypes with unique functions. Previous studies on INs mainly focused on single brain regions, and thus it remains unclear whether the modulation of IN subtypes occurs globally across multiple regions. Here, we monitored the activity of different cortical IN subtypes at both macroscale and microscale in mice learning a lever-press task. Learning evoked a global modulation of IN subtypes throughout the cortex. The initial learning phase involved strong activation of vasoactive intestinal peptide-expressing INs (VIP-INs) and weak activation of somatostatin-expressing INs (SOM-INs). Inactivating VIP-INs increased SOM-IN activity and impaired initial learning. Concurrently, cortical cholinergic inputs from the basal forebrain were initially more active but became less engaged over learning. Manipulation of the cholinergic system impaired motor learning and differentially altered activity of IN subtypes. These results reveal that motor learning involves a global and subtype-specific modulation on cortical INs regulated by the cholinergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Ren
- Neurobiology Section, Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Department of Neurosciences, and Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kailong Peng
- Neurobiology Section, Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Department of Neurosciences, and Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ruize Yang
- Neurobiology Section, Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Department of Neurosciences, and Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Weikang Liu
- Neurobiology Section, Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Department of Neurosciences, and Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Takaki Komiyama
- Neurobiology Section, Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Department of Neurosciences, and Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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46
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Bowles S, Hickman J, Peng X, Williamson WR, Huang R, Washington K, Donegan D, Welle CG. Vagus nerve stimulation drives selective circuit modulation through cholinergic reinforcement. Neuron 2022; 110:2867-2885.e7. [PMID: 35858623 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a neuromodulation therapy for a broad and expanding set of neurologic conditions. However, the mechanism through which VNS influences central nervous system circuitry is not well described, limiting therapeutic optimization. VNS leads to widespread brain activation, but the effects on behavior are remarkably specific, indicating plasticity unique to behaviorally engaged neural circuits. To understand how VNS can lead to specific circuit modulation, we leveraged genetic tools including optogenetics and in vivo calcium imaging in mice learning a skilled reach task. We find that VNS enhances skilled motor learning in healthy animals via a cholinergic reinforcement mechanism, producing a rapid consolidation of an expert reach trajectory. In primary motor cortex (M1), VNS drives precise temporal modulation of neurons that respond to behavioral outcome. This suggests that VNS may accelerate motor refinement in M1 via cholinergic signaling, opening new avenues for optimizing VNS to target specific disease-relevant circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer Bowles
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Jordan Hickman
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Peng
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - W Ryan Williamson
- IDEA Core, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Rongchen Huang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kayden Washington
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Dane Donegan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Cristin G Welle
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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47
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Hedrick NG, Lu Z, Bushong E, Singhi S, Nguyen P, Magaña Y, Jilani S, Lim BK, Ellisman M, Komiyama T. Learning binds new inputs into functional synaptic clusters via spinogenesis. Nat Neurosci 2022; 25:726-737. [PMID: 35654957 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01086-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Learning induces the formation of new excitatory synapses in the form of dendritic spines, but their functional properties remain unknown. Here, using longitudinal in vivo two-photon imaging and correlated electron microscopy of dendritic spines in the motor cortex of mice during motor learning, we describe a framework for the formation, survival and resulting function of new, learning-related spines. Specifically, our data indicate that the formation of new spines during learning is guided by the potentiation of functionally clustered preexisting spines exhibiting task-related activity during earlier sessions of learning. We present evidence that this clustered potentiation induces the local outgrowth of multiple filopodia from the nearby dendrite, locally sampling the adjacent neuropil for potential axonal partners, likely via targeting preexisting presynaptic boutons. Successful connections are then selected for survival based on co-activity with nearby task-related spines, ensuring that the new spine preserves functional clustering. The resulting locally coherent activity of new spines signals the learned movement. Furthermore, we found that a majority of new spines synapse with axons previously unrepresented in these dendritic domains. Thus, learning involves the binding of new information streams into functional synaptic clusters to subserve learned behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan G Hedrick
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Zhongmin Lu
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Eric Bushong
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Research in Biological Systems, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
- National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Surbhi Singhi
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Peter Nguyen
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yessenia Magaña
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sayyed Jilani
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Byung Kook Lim
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mark Ellisman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Research in Biological Systems, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
- National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Takaki Komiyama
- Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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48
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Corbo J, McClure JP, Erkat OB, Polack PO. Dynamic Distortion of Orientation Representation after Learning in the Mouse Primary Visual Cortex. J Neurosci 2022; 42:4311-4325. [PMID: 35477902 PMCID: PMC9145234 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2272-21.2022] [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: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Learning is an essential cognitive mechanism allowing behavioral adaptation through adjustments in neuronal processing. It is associated with changes in the activity of sensory cortical neurons evoked by task-relevant stimuli. However, the exact nature of those modifications and the computational advantages they may confer are still debated. Here, we investigated how learning an orientation discrimination task alters the neuronal representations of the cues orientations in the primary visual cortex (V1) of male and female mice. When comparing the activity evoked by the task stimuli in naive mice and the mice performing the task, we found that the representations of the orientation of the rewarded and nonrewarded cues were more accurate and stable in trained mice. This better cue representation in trained mice was associated with a distortion of the orientation representation space such that stimuli flanking the task-relevant orientations were represented as the task stimuli themselves, suggesting that those stimuli were generalized as the task cues. This distortion was context dependent as it was absent in trained mice passively viewing the task cues and enhanced in the behavioral sessions where mice performed best. Those modifications of the V1 population orientation representation in performing mice were supported by a suppression of the activity of neurons tuned for orientations neighboring the orientations of the task cues. Thus, visual processing in V1 is dynamically adapted to enhance the reliability of the representation of the learned cues and favor generalization in the task-relevant computational space.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Performance improvement in a task often requires facilitating the extraction of the information necessary to its execution. Here, we demonstrate the existence of a suppression mechanism that improves the representation of the orientations of the task stimuli in the V1 of mice performing an orientation discrimination task. We also show that this mechanism distorts the V1 orientation representation space, leading stimuli flanking the task stimuli orientations to be generalized as the task stimuli themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Corbo
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University-Newark, Newark, New Jersey 07102
| | - John P McClure
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University-Newark, Newark, New Jersey 07102
- Behavioral and Neural Sciences Graduate Program, Rutgers University-Newark, Newark, New Jersey 07102
| | - O Batuhan Erkat
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University-Newark, Newark, New Jersey 07102
- Behavioral and Neural Sciences Graduate Program, Rutgers University-Newark, Newark, New Jersey 07102
| | - Pierre-Olivier Polack
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University-Newark, Newark, New Jersey 07102
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49
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Learning-related congruent and incongruent changes of excitation and inhibition in distinct cortical areas. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001667. [PMID: 35639787 PMCID: PMC9187120 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Excitatory and inhibitory neurons in diverse cortical regions are likely to contribute differentially to the transformation of sensory information into goal-directed motor plans. Here, we investigate the relative changes across mouse sensorimotor cortex in the activity of putative excitatory and inhibitory neurons—categorized as regular spiking (RS) or fast spiking (FS) according to their action potential (AP) waveform—comparing before and after learning of a whisker detection task with delayed licking as perceptual report. Surprisingly, we found that the whisker-evoked activity of RS versus FS neurons changed in opposite directions after learning in primary and secondary whisker motor cortices, while it changed similarly in primary and secondary orofacial motor cortices. Our results suggest that changes in the balance of excitation and inhibition in local circuits concurrent with changes in the long-range synaptic inputs in distinct cortical regions might contribute to performance of delayed sensory-to-motor transformation. A study of mouse sensorimotor cortex during a whisker detection task shows that learning of a goal-directed sensorimotor transformation is accompanied by differential changes in excitation and inhibition in distinct neocortical regions, helping to link sensory cortex and motor cortex for correct task performance.
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50
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Park J, Phillips JW, Guo JZ, Martin KA, Hantman AW, Dudman JT. Motor cortical output for skilled forelimb movement is selectively distributed across projection neuron classes. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabj5167. [PMID: 35263129 PMCID: PMC8906739 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj5167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The interaction of descending neocortical outputs and subcortical premotor circuits is critical for shaping skilled movements. Two broad classes of motor cortical output projection neurons provide input to many subcortical motor areas: pyramidal tract (PT) neurons, which project throughout the neuraxis, and intratelencephalic (IT) neurons, which project within the cortex and subcortical striatum. It is unclear whether these classes are functionally in series or whether each class carries distinct components of descending motor control signals. Here, we combine large-scale neural recordings across all layers of motor cortex with cell type-specific perturbations to study cortically dependent mouse motor behaviors: kinematically variable manipulation of a joystick and a kinematically precise reach-to-grasp. We find that striatum-projecting IT neuron activity preferentially represents amplitude, whereas pons-projecting PT neurons preferentially represent the variable direction of forelimb movements. Thus, separable components of descending motor cortical commands are distributed across motor cortical projection cell classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junchol Park
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - James W. Phillips
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jian-Zhong Guo
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Kathleen A. Martin
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Adam W. Hantman
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Joshua T. Dudman
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
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