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Djebari S, Iborra-Lázaro G, Temprano-Carazo S, Sánchez-Rodríguez I, Nava-Mesa MO, Múnera A, Gruart A, Delgado-García JM, Jiménez-Díaz L, Navarro-López JD. G-Protein-Gated Inwardly Rectifying Potassium (Kir3/GIRK) Channels Govern Synaptic Plasticity That Supports Hippocampal-Dependent Cognitive Functions in Male Mice. J Neurosci 2021; 41:7086-7102. [PMID: 34261700 PMCID: PMC8372024 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2849-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir3/GIRK) channel is the effector of many G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Its dysfunction has been linked to the pathophysiology of Down syndrome, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, psychiatric disorders, epilepsy, drug addiction, or alcoholism. In the hippocampus, GIRK channels decrease excitability of the cells and contribute to resting membrane potential and inhibitory neurotransmission. Here, to elucidate the role of GIRK channels activity in the maintenance of hippocampal-dependent cognitive functions, their involvement in controlling neuronal excitability at different levels of complexity was examined in C57BL/6 male mice. For that purpose, GIRK activity in the dorsal hippocampus CA3-CA1 synapse was pharmacologically modulated by two drugs: ML297, a GIRK channel opener, and Tertiapin-Q (TQ), a GIRK channel blocker. Ex vivo, using dorsal hippocampal slices, we studied the effect of pharmacological GIRK modulation on synaptic plasticity processes induced in CA1 by Schaffer collateral stimulation. In vivo, we performed acute intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of the two GIRK modulators to study their contribution to electrophysiological properties and synaptic plasticity of dorsal hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapse, and to learning and memory capabilities during hippocampal-dependent tasks. We found that pharmacological disruption of GIRK channel activity by i.c.v. injections, causing either function gain or function loss, induced learning and memory deficits by a mechanism involving neural excitability impairments and alterations in the induction and maintenance of long-term synaptic plasticity processes. These results support the contention that an accurate control of GIRK activity must take place in the hippocampus to sustain cognitive functions.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Cognitive processes of learning and memory that rely on hippocampal synaptic plasticity processes are critically ruled by a finely tuned neural excitability. G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels play a key role in maintaining resting membrane potential, cell excitability and inhibitory neurotransmission. Here, we demonstrate that modulation of GIRK channels activity, causing either function gain or function loss, transforms high-frequency stimulation (HFS)-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) into long-term depression (LTD), inducing deficits in hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. Together, our data show a crucial GIRK-activity-mediated mechanism that governs synaptic plasticity direction and modulates subsequent hippocampal-dependent cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souhail Djebari
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Spain 13071
| | - Guillermo Iborra-Lázaro
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Spain 13071
| | - Sara Temprano-Carazo
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Spain 13071
| | - Irene Sánchez-Rodríguez
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Spain 13071
| | - Mauricio O Nava-Mesa
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Spain 13071
- Neuroscience Research Group (NEUROS), Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia 111711
| | - Alejandro Múnera
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Spain 13071
- Behavioral Neurophysiology Laboratory, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia 111321
| | - Agnès Gruart
- Division of Neurosciences, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain 41013
| | | | - Lydia Jiménez-Díaz
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Spain 13071
| | - Juan D Navarro-López
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Spain 13071
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Blazquez-Llorca L, Miguéns M, Montero-Crespo M, Selvas A, Gonzalez-Soriano J, Ambrosio E, DeFelipe J. 3D Synaptic Organization of the Rat CA1 and Alterations Induced by Cocaine Self-Administration. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:1927-1952. [PMID: 33253368 PMCID: PMC7945021 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus plays a key role in contextual conditioning and has been proposed as an important component of the cocaine addiction brain circuit. To gain knowledge about cocaine-induced alterations in this circuit, we used focused ion beam milling/scanning electron microscopy to reveal and quantify the three-dimensional synaptic organization of the neuropil of the stratum radiatum of the rat CA1, under normal circumstances and after cocaine-self administration (SA). Most synapses are asymmetric (excitatory), macular-shaped, and in contact with dendritic spine heads. After cocaine-SA, the size and the complexity of the shape of both asymmetric and symmetric (inhibitory) synapses increased but no changes were observed in the synaptic density. This work constitutes the first detailed report on the 3D synaptic organization in the stratum radiatum of the CA1 field of cocaine-SA rats. Our data contribute to the elucidation of the normal and altered synaptic organization of the hippocampus, which is crucial for better understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Blazquez-Llorca
- Departamento de Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain.,Laboratorio Cajal de Circuitos Corticales, Centro de Tecnología Biomédica, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain.,Sección Departamental de Anatomía y Embriología (Veterinaria), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - M Miguéns
- Departamento de Psicología Básica I, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - M Montero-Crespo
- Laboratorio Cajal de Circuitos Corticales, Centro de Tecnología Biomédica, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - A Selvas
- Departamento de Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - J Gonzalez-Soriano
- Sección Departamental de Anatomía y Embriología (Veterinaria), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - E Ambrosio
- Departamento de Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - J DeFelipe
- Laboratorio Cajal de Circuitos Corticales, Centro de Tecnología Biomédica, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28002 Madrid, Spain
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3
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Wang R, Hausknecht KA, Gancarz-Kausch AM, Oubraim S, Shen RY, Haj-Dahmane S. Cocaine self-administration abolishes endocannabinoid-mediated long-term depression of glutamatergic synapses in the ventral tegmental area. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 52:4517-4524. [PMID: 32959420 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Drugs of abuse, including cocaine, alter the mechanisms underpinning synaptic plasticity, including long-term potentiation of glutamatergic synapses in the mesolimbic system. These effects are thought to underlie addictive behaviors. In the ventral tegmental area (VTA), glutamatergic synapses also exhibit long-term depression (LTD), a type of plasticity that weakens synaptic strength. This form of synaptic plasticity is induced by low-frequency stimulation and mediated by endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling, which also modulates addictive behaviors. However, it remains unknown whether eCB-LTD in the VTA could be altered by cocaine use. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to examine the impact of cocaine self-administration on eCB-LTD of glutamatergic synapses onto VTA dopaminergic (DA) neurons. To that end, male rats underwent cocaine (0.75 mg/kg/infusion) or saline self-administration under the fixed ratio 1 schedule for 6-9 days. One day after the last self-administration session, the magnitude of eCB-LTD was examined using ex vivo whole-cell recordings of putative VTA DA neurons from naïve rats and rats with saline or cocaine self-administration. The results revealed that cocaine self-administration abolished eCB-LTD. The cocaine-induced blockade of eCB-LTD in the VTA was mediated by an impaired function of presynaptic CB1 receptors. Collectively, these findings indicate that cocaine exposure blunts eCB-mediated synaptic plasticity in midbrain DA neurons. This effect could be one of the cellular mechanisms that mediate, at least in part, addictive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixiang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kathryn A Hausknecht
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Amy M Gancarz-Kausch
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Department of Psychology, California State University Bakersfield, Bakersfield, CA, USA
| | - Saida Oubraim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Roh-Yu Shen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Samir Haj-Dahmane
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Reus-García MM, Sánchez-Campusano R, Ledderose J, Dogbevia GK, Treviño M, Hasan MT, Gruart A, Delgado-García JM. The Claustrum is Involved in Cognitive Processes Related to the Classical Conditioning of Eyelid Responses in Behaving Rabbits. Cereb Cortex 2020; 31:281-300. [PMID: 32885230 PMCID: PMC7727357 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
It is assumed that the claustrum (CL) is involved in sensorimotor integration and cognitive processes. We recorded the firing activity of identified CL neurons during classical eyeblink conditioning in rabbits, using a delay paradigm in which a tone was presented as conditioned stimulus (CS), followed by a corneal air puff as unconditioned stimulus (US). Neurons were identified by their activation from motor (MC), cingulate (CC), and medial prefrontal (mPFC) cortices. CL neurons were rarely activated by single stimuli of any modality. In contrast, their firing was significantly modulated during the first sessions of paired CS/US presentations, but not in well-trained animals. Neuron firing rates did not correlate with the kinematics of conditioned responses (CRs). CL local field potentials (LFPs) changed their spectral power across learning and presented well-differentiated CL–mPFC/CL–MC network dynamics, as shown by crossfrequency spectral measurements. CL electrical stimulation did not evoke eyelid responses, even in trained animals. Silencing of synaptic transmission of CL neurons by the vINSIST method delayed the acquisition of CRs but did not affect their presentation rate. The CL plays an important role in the acquisition of associative learning, mostly in relation to the novelty of CS/US association, but not in the expression of CRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mar Reus-García
- Division of Neurosciences, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville 4103, Spain
| | | | - Julia Ledderose
- Institute of Biochemistry, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin 10117, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Godwin K Dogbevia
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.,Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa K1Y 4W7, Canada
| | - Mario Treviño
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.,Laboratorio de Plasticidad Cortical y Aprendizaje Perceptual, Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44130, México
| | - Mazahir T Hasan
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.,Laboratory of Memory Circuits, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa 48940, Spain.,Ikerbasque-Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao 48013, Spain
| | - Agnès Gruart
- Division of Neurosciences, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville 4103, Spain
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Long-Lasting Input-Specific Experience-Dependent Changes of Hippocampus Synaptic Function Measured in the Anesthetized Rat. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0506-18.2019. [PMID: 31434661 PMCID: PMC6731537 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0506-18.2019] [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] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
How experience causes long-lasting changes in the brain is a central question in neuroscience. The common view is that synaptic function is altered by experience to change brain circuit functions that underlie conditioned behavior. We examined hippocampus synaptic circuit function in vivo, in three groups of animals, to assess the impact of experience on hippocampus function in rats. The “conditioned” group acquired a shock-conditioned place response during a cognitively-challenging, hippocampus synaptic plasticity-dependent task. The no-shock group had similar exposure to the environmental conditions but no conditioning. The home-cage group was experimentally naive. After the one-week retention test, under anesthesia, we stimulated the perforant path inputs to CA1, which terminate in stratum lacunosum moleculare (slm), and to the dentate gyrus (DG), which terminate in the molecular layer. We find synaptic compartment specific changes that differ amongst the groups. The evoked field EPSP (fEPSP) and pre-spike field response are enhanced only at the DG input layer and only in conditioned animals. The DG responses, measured by the population spiking activity and post-spike responses, are enhanced in both the conditioned and no-shock groups compared to home-cage animals. These changes are pathway specific because no differences are observed in slm of CA1. These findings demonstrate long-term, experience-dependent, pathway-specific alterations to synaptic circuit function of the hippocampus.
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Stolyarova A. Solving the Credit Assignment Problem With the Prefrontal Cortex. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:182. [PMID: 29636659 PMCID: PMC5881225 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In naturalistic multi-cue and multi-step learning tasks, where outcomes of behavior are delayed in time, discovering which choices are responsible for rewards can present a challenge, known as the credit assignment problem. In this review, I summarize recent work that highlighted a critical role for the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in assigning credit where it is due in tasks where only a few of the multitude of cues or choices are relevant to the final outcome of behavior. Collectively, these investigations have provided compelling support for specialized roles of the orbitofrontal (OFC), anterior cingulate (ACC), and dorsolateral prefrontal (dlPFC) cortices in contingent learning. However, recent work has similarly revealed shared contributions and emphasized rich and heterogeneous response properties of neurons in these brain regions. Such functional overlap is not surprising given the complexity of reciprocal projections spanning the PFC. In the concluding section, I overview the evidence suggesting that the OFC, ACC and dlPFC communicate extensively, sharing the information about presented options, executed decisions and received rewards, which enables them to assign credit for outcomes to choices on which they are contingent. This account suggests that lesion or inactivation/inhibition experiments targeting a localized PFC subregion will be insufficient to gain a fine-grained understanding of credit assignment during learning and instead poses refined questions for future research, shifting the focus from focal manipulations to experimental techniques targeting cortico-cortical projections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Stolyarova
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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