Synaptic depression related to presynaptic axon conduction block

Fidelity of frequency and phase entrainment of circuit-level spike activity during DBS

High-frequency stimulation is known to entrain spike activity downstream and upstream of several clinical deep brain stimulation (DBS) targets, including the cerebellar-receiving area of thalamus (VPLo), subthalamic nucleus (STN), and globus pallidus (GP). Less understood are the fidelity of entrainment to each stimulus pulse, whether entrainment patterns are stationary over time, and how responses differ among DBS targets. In this study, three rhesus macaques were implanted with a single DBS lead in VPLo, STN, or GP. Single-unit spike activity was recorded in the resting state in motor cortex during VPLo DBS, in GP during STN DBS, and in STN and pallidal-receiving area of motor thalamus (VLo) during GP DBS. VPLo DBS induced time-locked spike activity in 25% (n = 15/61) of motor cortex cells, with entrained cells following 7.5 ± 7.4% of delivered pulses. STN DBS entrained spike activity in 26% (n = 8/27) of GP cells, which yielded time-locked spike activity for 8.7 ± 8.4% of stimulus pulses. GP DBS entrained 67% (n = 14/21) of STN cells and 32% (n = 19/59) of VLo cells, which showed a higher fraction of pulses effectively inhibiting spike activity (82.0 ± 9.6% and 86.1 ± 16.6%, respectively). Latency of phase-locked spike activity increased over time in motor cortex (58%, VPLo DBS) and to a lesser extent in GP (25%, STN DBS). In contrast, the initial inhibitory phase observed in VLo and STN during GP DBS remained stable following stimulation onset. Together, these data suggest that circuit-level entrainment is low-pass filtered during high-frequency stimulation, most notably for glutamatergic pathways. Moreover, phase entrainment is not stationary or consistent at the circuit level for all DBS targets.

Mechanical properties of respiratory muscles

Striated respiratory muscles are necessary for lung ventilation and to maintain the patency of the upper airway. The basic structural and functional properties of respiratory muscles are similar to those of other striated muscles (both skeletal and cardiac). The sarcomere is the fundamental organizational unit of striated muscles and sarcomeric proteins underlie the passive and active mechanical properties of muscle fibers. In this respect, the functional categorization of different fiber types provides a conceptual framework to understand the physiological properties of respiratory muscles. Within the sarcomere, the interaction between the thick and thin filaments at the level of cross-bridges provides the elementary unit of force generation and contraction. Key to an understanding of the unique functional differences across muscle fiber types are differences in cross-bridge recruitment and cycling that relate to the expression of different myosin heavy chain isoforms in the thick filament. The active mechanical properties of muscle fibers are characterized by the relationship between myoplasmic Ca2+ and cross-bridge recruitment, force generation and sarcomere length (also cross-bridge recruitment), external load and shortening velocity (cross-bridge cycling rate), and cross-bridge cycling rate and ATP consumption. Passive mechanical properties are also important reflecting viscoelastic elements within sarcomeres as well as the extracellular matrix. Conditions that affect respiratory muscle performance may have a range of underlying pathophysiological causes, but their manifestations will depend on their impact on these basic elemental structures.

Identifying critical regions for spike propagation in axon segments

Morphological reconstructions of axon segments reveal the abundance of geometrical ultrastructures that can dramatically affect the propagation of Action Potentials (AP). Moreover, deformations and swellings in axons resulting from brain traumas are associated to many neural dysfunctions and disorders. Our aim is to develop a computational framework to distinguish between geometrical enlargements that lead to minor changes in propagation from those that result in critical phenomenon such as reflection or blockage of the original traveling spike. We use a few geometrical parameters to model a prototypical shaft enlargement and explore the parameter space characterizing all possible propagation regimes and dynamics in an unmylienated AP model. Contrary to earlier notions that large diameter increases mostly lead to blocking, we demonstrate transmission is stable provided the geometrical changes occur in a slow manner. Our method also identifies a narrow range of parameters leading to a reflection regime. The distinction between these three regimes can be evaluated by a simple function of the geometrical parameters inferred through numerical simulations. We suggest that evaluating this function along axon segments can detect regions most susceptible to (i) transmission failure due to perturbations, (ii) structural plasticity, (iii) critical swellings caused by brain traumas and/or (iv) neurological disorders associated with the break down of spike train propagation.

Short-term depression of external globus pallidus-subthalamic nucleus synaptic transmission and implications for patterning subthalamic activity

The frequency and pattern of activity in the reciprocally connected GABAergic external globus pallidus (GPe) and glutamatergic subthalamic nucleus (STN) are closely related to motor function. Although phasic, unitary GPe-STN inputs powerfully pattern STN activity ex vivo, correlated GPe-STN activity is not normally observed in vivo. To test the hypothesis that the GPe's influence is constrained by short-term synaptic depression, unitary GPe-STN inputs were stimulated in rat and mouse brain slices at rates and in patterns that mimicked GPe activity in vivo. Together with connectivity estimates these data were then used to simulate GPe-STN transmission. Unitary GPe-STN synaptic connections initially generated large conductances and transmitted reliably. However, the amplitude and reliability of transmission declined rapidly (τ = 0.6 ± 0.5 s) to <10% of their initial values when connections were stimulated at the mean rate of GPe activity in vivo (33 Hz). Recovery from depression (τ = 17.3 ± 18.9 s) was also longer than pauses in tonic GPe activity in vivo. Depression was the result of the limited supply of release-ready vesicles and was in sharp contrast to Calyx of Held transmission, which exhibited 100% reliability. Injection of simulated GPe-STN conductances revealed that synaptic depression caused tonic, nonsynchronized GPe-STN activity to disrupt rather than abolish autonomous STN activity. Furthermore, synchronous inhibition of tonically active GPe-STN neurons or phasic activity of GPe-STN neurons reliably patterned STN activity through disinhibition and inhibition, respectively. Together, these data argue that the frequency and pattern of GPe activity profoundly influence its transmission to the STN.

Adaptive visual and auditory map alignment in barn owl superior colliculus and its neuromorphic implementation

Adaptation is one of the most important phenomena in biology. A young barn owl can adapt to imposed environmental changes, such as artificial visual distortion caused by wearing a prism. This adjustment process has been modeled mathematically and the model replicates the sensory map realignment of barn owl superior colliculus (SC) through axonogenesis and synaptogenesis. This allows the biological mechanism to be transferred to an artificial computing system and thereby imbue it with a new form of adaptability to the environment. The model is demonstrated in a real-time robot environment. Results of the experiments are compared with and without prism distortion of vision, and show improved adaptability for the robot. However, the computation speed of the embedded system in the robot is slow. A digital and analog mixed signal very-large-scale integration (VLSI) circuit has been fabricated to implement adaptive sensory pathway changes derived from the SC model at higher speed. VLSI experimental results are consistent with simulation results.

Functional alterations in GABAergic fast-spiking interneurons in chronically injured epileptogenic neocortex

Progress toward developing effective prophylaxis and treatment of posttraumatic epilepsy depends on a detailed understanding of the basic underlying mechanisms. One important factor contributing to epileptogenesis is decreased efficacy of GABAergic inhibition. Here we tested the hypothesis that the output of neocortical fast-spiking (FS) interneurons onto postsynaptic targets would be decreased in the undercut (UC) model of chronic posttraumatic epileptogenesis. Using dual whole-cell recordings in layer IV barrel cortex, we found a marked increase in the failure rate and a very large reduction in the amplitude of unitary inhibitory postsynaptic currents (uIPSCs) from FS cells to excitatory regular spiking (RS) neurons and neighboring FS cells. Assessment of the paired pulse ratio and presumed quantal release showed that there was a significant, but relatively modest, decrease in synaptic release probability and a non-significant reduction in quantal size. A reduced density of boutons on axons of biocytin-filled UC FS cells, together with a higher coefficient of variation of uIPSC amplitude in RS cells, suggested that the number of functional synapses presynaptically formed by FS cells may be reduced. Given the marked reduction in synaptic strength, other defects in the presynaptic vesicle release machinery likely occur, as well.

Beyond faithful conduction: short-term dynamics, neuromodulation, and long-term regulation of spike propagation in the axon

Most spiking neurons are divided into functional compartments: a dendritic input region, a soma, a site of action potential initiation, an axon trunk and its collaterals for propagation of action potentials, and distal arborizations and terminals carrying the output synapses. The axon trunk and lower order branches are probably the most neglected and are often assumed to do nothing more than faithfully conducting action potentials. Nevertheless, there are numerous reports of complex membrane properties in non-synaptic axonal regions, owing to the presence of a multitude of different ion channels. Many different types of sodium and potassium channels have been described in axons, as well as calcium transients and hyperpolarization-activated inward currents. The complex time- and voltage-dependence resulting from the properties of ion channels can lead to activity-dependent changes in spike shape and resting potential, affecting the temporal fidelity of spike conduction. Neural coding can be altered by activity-dependent changes in conduction velocity, spike failures, and ectopic spike initiation. This is true under normal physiological conditions, and relevant for a number of neuropathies that lead to abnormal excitability. In addition, a growing number of studies show that the axon trunk can express receptors to glutamate, GABA, acetylcholine or biogenic amines, changing the relative contribution of some channels to axonal excitability and therefore rendering the contribution of this compartment to neural coding conditional on the presence of neuromodulators. Long-term regulatory processes, both during development and in the context of activity-dependent plasticity may also affect axonal properties to an underappreciated extent.

Axon Physiology

Axons are generally considered as reliable transmission cables in which stable propagation occurs once an action potential is generated. Axon dysfunction occupies a central position in many inherited and acquired neurological disorders that affect both peripheral and central neurons. Recent findings suggest that the functional and computational repertoire of the axon is much richer than traditionally thought. Beyond classical axonal propagation, intrinsic voltage-gated ionic currents together with the geometrical properties of the axon determine several complex operations that not only control signal processing in brain circuits but also neuronal timing and synaptic efficacy. Recent evidence for the implication of these forms of axonal computation in the short-term dynamics of neuronal communication is discussed. Finally, we review how neuronal activity regulates both axon morphology and axonal function on a long-term time scale during development and adulthood.

Multiple spike initiation zones in a neuron implicated in learning in the leech: a computational model

Sensitization of the defensive shortening reflex in the leech has been linked to a segmentally repeated tri-synaptic positive feedback loop. Serotonin from the R-cell enhances S-cell excitability, S-cell impulses cross an electrical synapse into the C-interneuron, and the C-interneuron excites the R-cell via a glutamatergic synapse. The C-interneuron has two unusual characteristics. First, impulses take longer to propagate from the S soma to the C soma than in the reverse direction. Second, impulses recorded from the electrically unexcitable C soma vary in amplitude when extracellular divalent cation concentrations are elevated, with smaller impulses failing to induce synaptic potentials in the R-cell. A compartmental, computational model was developed to test the sufficiency of multiple, independent spike initiation zones in the C-interneuron to explain these observations. The model displays asymmetric delays in impulse propagation across the S-C electrical synapse and graded impulse amplitudes in the C-interneuron in simulated high divalent cation concentrations.

The adaptation of visual and auditory integration in the barn owl superior colliculus with Spike Timing Dependent Plasticity

To localize a seen object, the superior colliculus of the barn owl integrates the visual and auditory localization cues which are accessed from the sensory system of the brain. These cues are formed as visual and auditory maps. The alignment between visual and auditory maps is very important for accurate localization in prey behavior. Blindness or prism wearing may interfere this alignment. The juvenile barn owl could adapt its auditory map to this mismatch after several weeks training. Here we investigate this process by building a computational model of auditory and visual integration in deep Superior Colliculus (SC). The adaptation of the map alignment is based on activity dependent axon developing in Inferior Colliculus (IC). This axon growing process is instructed by an inhibitory network in SC while the strength of the inhibition is adjusted by Spike Timing Dependent Plasticity (STDP). The simulation results of this model are in line with the biological experiment and support the idea that STDP is involved in the alignment of sensory maps. This model also provides a new spiking neuron based mechanism capable of eliminating the disparity in visual and auditory map integration.

Augmentation of excitability in the hippocampus of juvenile rat

The short-term plasticity of synaptic transmission has usually been related to neurotransmitter release-dependent processes. In this work, we describe a calcium- and release-independent augmentation of the fiber volley (FVA) that appears during stimulation of the Wistar rat commissural/Schaffer collateral afferents at 10-Hz. Among the possible mechanisms involved in this phenomenon, an increment in sodium channel density or the facilitation of recovery from inactivation does not seem to be responsible for this effect since the depolarization rate of the somatic action potentials (APs) of CA3 pyramidal cells decreases during the 10-Hz stimulation. On the other hand, an increase in the synchronization of the APs can be observed during the very first pulses of the 10-Hz tetanus. However, the major part of the FVA occurs with any increase in synchronization of AP firing. Finally, a strong increase in the firing probability, with kinetics similar to that observed with the FVA, appears at 10-Hz stimulation when APs are induced at threshold intensities. This hyperexcitability seems to be mediated by a residual depolarization that persists for more than 100 ms after the AP. The nature of this post-spike depolarization is uncertain since it persists in the absence of extracellular calcium and was not blocked by the application of phenytoin (100 microM), and this excludes the implication of either calcium or sodium-persistent currents. Additionally, the increase of the stimulation strength did not alter this depolarization, which suggests that the presumed extracellular potassium accumulation produced after the synchronic stimulation of APs is not involved in the depolarization. Interestingly, the slow post-depolarization induced by both supra- and subthreshold pulses is well fitted by a single exponential decay with similar time constants, an indication that the tail depolarization may represent passive discharge of the membrane following an incomplete repolarization of the AP.

Characterization of release-independent short-term depression in the juvenile rat hippocampus

Short-term depression strongly influences neuronal activity in cerebral circuits and contributes to low-pass temporal filtering of information. In this work, we show that synaptic depression evoked by stimulation of commissural-Schaffer collateral afferents at 10 Hz is associated with a reduction of the fibre volley. This depression of action potentials is also evident in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+), which underlies its release-independent nature. In addition, this reduction of the excitability is independent of failures in action potential propagation since increasing the distance between the stimulus and recording electrodes does not alter this effect. Whole-cell recordings show that tetanic stimulation at supraminimal intensity induces action potential failures preceded by changes in the repolarization rate of the action potentials leading the membrane potential to hyperpolarized values. This activity-dependent hyperpolarization was blocked by ouabain, an indication of the important role of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in this process. Then again, an alteration of the firing threshold was observed when action potentials were elicited either by somatic current injection or by synaptic stimulation, which indicates that this mechanism could alter the EPSP-spike coupling in these cells. The results suggest that these factors act together to reduce gradually the safety factor for action potential generation and to produce failures in action potential initiation; in fact, experiments made at twice the supraminimal intensity show a dramatic decrease in the rate of these failures. Taken together, the results suggest the existence of a release-independent component of short-term depression that is related to failures in action potential initiation.

Multiple mechanisms govern the dynamics of depression at neocortical synapses of young rats

Synaptic transmission between pairs of excitatory neurones in layers V (N= 38) or IV (N= 6) of somatosensory cortex was examined in a parasagittal slice preparation obtained from young Wistar rats (14-18 days old). A combined experimental and theoretical approach reveals two characteristics of short-term synaptic depression. Firstly, as well as a release-dependent depression, there is a release-independent component that is evident in smaller postsynaptic responses even following failure to release transmitter. Secondly, recovery from depression is activity dependent and is faster at higher input frequencies. Frequency-dependent recovery is a Ca(2+)-dependent process and does not reflect an underlying augmentation. Frequency-dependent recovery and release-independent depression are correlated, such that at those connections with a large amount of release-independent depression, recovery from depression is faster. In addition, both are more pronounced in experiments performed at physiological temperatures. Simulations demonstrate that these homeostatic properties allow the transfer of rate information at all frequencies, essentially linearizing synaptic responses at high input frequencies.

The use of elevated divalent cation solutions to isolate monosynaptic components of sensorimotor connections in Aplysia

A commonly used method to remove polysynaptic components of test PSPs is to elevate action potential threshold of interneurons with high extracellular concentrations of divalent cations ('Hi-Di'). Extrapolation to normal conditions requires that Hi-Di have negligible effects on synaptic transmission. We examined effects of Hi-Di on EPSPs from sensory neurons (SNs) onto motor neurons (MNs) of Aplysia in the pleural-pedal and abdominal ganglia, and in dissociated cell culture. In ganglia, standard Hi-Di solutions eliminated spontaneous input from interneurons as well as polysynaptic components of PSPs evoked by single action potentials in single SNs, but failed to block polysynaptic PSPs evoked by nerve stimulation. Hi-Di solutions had no effect on activity-dependent synaptic depression or posttetanic potentiation, or facilitation by serotonin (5-HT). Unexpectedly, standard Hi-Di solutions substantially reduced sensorimotor EPSPs in all preparations, whereas a solution containing 2.2x[Ca(2+)] and 2x[Mg(2+)] blocked the polysynaptic component of EPSPs without obvious changes to the monosynaptic component. In contrast to previous observations in Aplysia, and to predictions of the (J. Physiol. 193 (1967) 419) model, tripling the normal extracellular concentrations of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) failed to increase sensorimotor EPSPs. Depression of EPSPs by these Hi-Di solutions may result from reduced spike invasion into presynaptic terminals.

Presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms underlie paired pulse depression at single GABAergic boutons in rat collicular cultures

Paired pulse depression (PPD) is a common form of short-term synaptic plasticity. The aim of this study was to characterise PPD at the level of a single inhibitory bouton. Low-density collicular cultures were loaded with the Ca2+ indicator Oregon Green-1, active boutons were stained with RH414, and action potentials were blocked with TTX. Evoked IPSCs (eIPSCs) and presynaptic Ca2+ transients were recorded in response to direct presynaptic depolarisation of an individual bouton. The single bouton eIPSCs had a low failure rate (< 0.1), large average quantal content (3-6) and slow decay (tau(1) = 15 ms, tau(2) = 81 ms). The PPD of eIPSCs had two distinct components: PPD(fast) and PPD(slow) (tau = 86 ms and 2 s). PPD(slow) showed no dependence on extracellular Ca2+ concentration, or on the first eIPSC's failure rate or amplitude. Most probably, it reflects a release-independent inhibition of exocytosis. PPD(fast) was only observed in normal or elevated Ca2+. It decreased with the failure rate and increased with the amplitude of the first eIPSC. It coincided with paired pulse depression of the presynaptic Ca2+ transients (tau = 120 ms). The decay of the latter was accelerated by EGTA, which also reduced PPD(fast). Therefore, a suppressive effect of residual presynaptic Ca2+ on subsequent Ca2+ influx is considered the most likely cause of PPD(fast). PPD(fast) may also have a postsynaptic component, because exposure to a low-affinity GABA(A) receptor antagonist (TPMPA; 300 microM) counteracted PPD(fast), and asynchronous IPSC amplitudes were depressed for a short interval following an eIPSC. Thus, at these synapses, PPD is produced by at least two release-independent presynaptic mechanisms and one release-dependent postsynaptic mechanism.

Correlates of Habituation of a Polysynaptic Reflex in Crayfish In Vivo and In Vitro

Reflex leg levation habituates during repeated electrical stimulation of mechanosensory afferents in the dactyl of the fifth walking leg of the crayfish, Procambarus clarkii. This was investigated in decerebrate crayfish, and reproduced in an isolated thoracic ganglion preparation. In vivo, trains of stimuli delivered every 2.5 s produced a gradual decrease in the amplitude of the mechanical response, and a concomitant decrease in the number of impulses per burst in the levator muscle myogram. Near complete recovery occurred after 10 min rest, and transient dishabituation was observed after electrical stimulation of the telson. Less frequent or stronger stimuli led to less rapid habituation. In vitro, the same parametric characteristics of habituation were observed in the levator nerve responses, while the intrinsic variability of the reflex was reduced. The response decrement was shown to be unrelated to changes in the afferent excitation. Evoked polysynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in levator motorneurons decreased in parallel with the levator neurogram. This decrease was unrelated to any change in the resting membrane potential of the levator motorneurons. Interneurons with habituating EPSPs, antagonistic depressor motorneurons with habituating inhibitory postsynaptic potentials and non-habituating responses in other motorneuronal groups were also found. These findings point to a central locus of habituation upstream from the motorneurons, and offer prospects for a detailed investigation of the mechanisms of habituation in a polysynaptic system.

Short-term synaptic plasticity

Synaptic transmission is a dynamic process. Postsynaptic responses wax and wane as presynaptic activity evolves. This prominent characteristic of chemical synaptic transmission is a crucial determinant of the response properties of synapses and, in turn, of the stimulus properties selected by neural networks and of the patterns of activity generated by those networks. This review focuses on synaptic changes that result from prior activity in the synapse under study, and is restricted to short-term effects that last for at most a few minutes. Forms of synaptic enhancement, such as facilitation, augmentation, and post-tetanic potentiation, are usually attributed to effects of a residual elevation in presynaptic [Ca(2+)]i, acting on one or more molecular targets that appear to be distinct from the secretory trigger responsible for fast exocytosis and phasic release of transmitter to single action potentials. We discuss the evidence for this hypothesis, and the origins of the different kinetic phases of synaptic enhancement, as well as the interpretation of statistical changes in transmitter release and roles played by other factors such as alterations in presynaptic Ca(2+) influx or postsynaptic levels of [Ca(2+)]i. Synaptic depression dominates enhancement at many synapses. Depression is usually attributed to depletion of some pool of readily releasable vesicles, and various forms of the depletion model are discussed. Depression can also arise from feedback activation of presynaptic receptors and from postsynaptic processes such as receptor desensitization. In addition, glial-neuronal interactions can contribute to short-term synaptic plasticity. Finally, we summarize the recent literature on putative molecular players in synaptic plasticity and the effects of genetic manipulations and other modulatory influences.

Persistent, exocytosis-independent silencing of release sites underlies homosynaptic depression at sensory synapses in Aplysia

The synaptic connections of Aplysia sensory neurons (SNs) undergo dramatic homosynaptic depression (HSD) with only a few low-frequency stimuli. Strong and weak SN synapses, although differing in their probabilities of release, undergo HSD at the same rate; this suggests that the major mechanism underlying HSD in these SNs may not be depletion of the releasable pool of vesicles. In computational models, we evaluated alternative mechanisms of HSD, including vesicle depletion, to determine which mechanisms enable strong and weak synapses to depress with identical time courses. Of five mechanisms tested, only release-independent, stimulus-dependent switching off of release sites resulted in HSD that was independent of initial synaptic strength. This conclusion that HSD is a release-independent phenomenon was supported by empirical results: an increase in Ca2+ influx caused by spike broadening with a K+ channel blocker did not alter HSD. Once induced, HSD persisted during 40 min of rest with no detectable recovery; thus, release does not recover automatically with rest, contrary to what would be expected if HSD represented an exhaustion of the exocytosis mechanism. The hypothesis that short-term HSD involves primarily a stepwise silencing of release sites, rather than vesicle depletion, is consistent with our earlier observation that HSD is accompanied by only a modest decrease in release probability, as indicated by little change in the paired-pulse ratio. In contrast, we found that there was a dramatic decrease in the paired-pulse ratio during serotonin-induced facilitation; this suggests that heterosynaptic facilitation primarily involves an increase in release probability, rather than a change in the number of functional release sites.

Persistent, exocytosis-independent silencing of release sites underlies homosynaptic depression at sensory synapses in Aplysia

The synaptic connections of Aplysia sensory neurons (SNs) undergo dramatic homosynaptic depression (HSD) with only a few low-frequency stimuli. Strong and weak SN synapses, although differing in their probabilities of release, undergo HSD at the same rate; this suggests that the major mechanism underlying HSD in these SNs may not be depletion of the releasable pool of vesicles. In computational models, we evaluated alternative mechanisms of HSD, including vesicle depletion, to determine which mechanisms enable strong and weak synapses to depress with identical time courses. Of five mechanisms tested, only release-independent, stimulus-dependent switching off of release sites resulted in HSD that was independent of initial synaptic strength. This conclusion that HSD is a release-independent phenomenon was supported by empirical results: an increase in Ca2+ influx caused by spike broadening with a K+ channel blocker did not alter HSD. Once induced, HSD persisted during 40 min of rest with no detectable recovery; thus, release does not recover automatically with rest, contrary to what would be expected if HSD represented an exhaustion of the exocytosis mechanism. The hypothesis that short-term HSD involves primarily a stepwise silencing of release sites, rather than vesicle depletion, is consistent with our earlier observation that HSD is accompanied by only a modest decrease in release probability, as indicated by little change in the paired-pulse ratio. In contrast, we found that there was a dramatic decrease in the paired-pulse ratio during serotonin-induced facilitation; this suggests that heterosynaptic facilitation primarily involves an increase in release probability, rather than a change in the number of functional release sites.

Slow IPSC kinetics, low levels of alpha1 subunit expression and paired-pulse depression are distinct properties of neonatal inhibitory GABAergic synaptic connections in the mouse superior colliculus

Remodelling of visual maps in the superior colliculus (SC) depends on neuronal activity. Synaptic inhibition could contribute to this process because spontaneous spike discharge in the SC was modulated by GABA(A) receptor activation at postnatal days (P) 1-3. To investigate the functional capacity of GABAergic synaptic transmission at this early stage of development, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made from wide field neurons (WFNs) in horizontal slices comprising the superficial grey layer of the SC. Focal stimulation in the vicinity of WFNs evoked tetrodotoxin-sensitive stimulus-locked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs). The failure rate of eIPSCs was low ( approximately 0.2), and the maximal amplitude of evoked unitary eIPSCs exceeded the amplitude of average miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs) by a factor of 4-5, suggesting that action potential-mediated GABA release was more effective than spontaneous release. Some of the properties of GABAergic synaptic transmission in the neonatal SC were age-specific. In contrast with eIPSCs in the more mature SC at P20-22, neonatal eIPSCs decayed more slowly, preferentially fluctuated in duration, not amplitude, and mostly lacked temporal summation, due to depression at shorter intervals. The paired-pulse ratio (eIPSC2 : eIPSC1) was inversely related to the duration of eIPSCs. PCR analysis showed, in addition, that the ratio of alpha1 : alpha3 subunit expression was lower in the neonatal SC. Together, these results suggest that, at a young age, efficacy of GABAergic synaptic transmission is primarily constrained by the slow kinetics and the saturation of postsynaptic GABA(A) receptors.

Properties of synchronous and asynchronous release during pulse train depression in cultured hippocampal neurons

Neurotransmitter release displays at least two kinetically distinct components in response to a single action potential. The majority of release occurs synchronously with action-potential-triggered Ca(2+) influx; however, delayed release--also called asynchronous release--persists for tens of milliseconds following the peak Ca(2+) transient. In response to trains of action potentials, synchronous release eventually declines, whereas asynchronous release often progressively increases, an effect that is primarily attributed to the buildup of intracellular Ca(2+) during repetitive stimulation. The precise relationship between synchronous and asynchronous release remains unclear at central synapses. To gain better insight into the mechanisms that regulate neurotransmitter release, we systematically characterized the two components of release during repetitive stimulation at excitatory autaptic hippocampal synapses formed in culture. Manipulations that increase the Ca(2+) influx triggered by an action potential--elevation of extracellular Ca(2+) or bath application of tetraethylammonium (TEA)--accelerated the progressive decrease in synchronous release (peak excitatory postsynaptic current amplitude) and concomitantly increased asynchronous release. When intracellular Ca(2+) was buffered by extracellular application of EGTA-AM, initial depression of synchronous release was equal to or greater than control; however, it quickly reached a plateau without further depression. In contrast, asynchronous release was largely abolished in EGTA-AM. The total charge transfer following each pulse--accounting for both synchronous and asynchronous release--reached a steady-state level that was similar between control and EGTA-AM. A portion of the decreased synchronous release in control conditions therefore was matched by a higher level of asynchronous release. We also examined the relative changes in synchronous and asynchronous release during repetitive stimulation under conditions that highly favor asynchronous release by substituting extracellular Ca(2+) with Sr(2+). Initially, asynchronous release was twofold greater in Sr(2+). By the end of the train, the difference was approximately 50%; consequently, the total release per pulse during the plateau phase was slightly larger in Sr(2+) compared with Ca(2+). We thus conclude that while asynchronous release--like synchronous release--is limited by vesicle availability, it may be able to access a slightly larger subset of the readily releasable pool. Our results are consistent with the view that during repetitive stimulation, the elevation of asynchronous release depletes the vesicles immediately available for release, resulting in depression of synchronous release. This implies that both forms of release share a small pool of immediately releasable vesicles, which is being constantly depleted and refilled during repetitive stimulation.

Retrograde inhibition of presynaptic calcium influx by endogenous cannabinoids at excitatory synapses onto Purkinje cells

Brief depolarization of cerebellar Purkinje cells was found to inhibit parallel fiber and climbing fiber EPSCs for tens of seconds. This depolarization-induced suppression of excitation (DSE) is accompanied by altered paired-pulse plasticity, suggesting a presynaptic locus. Fluorometric imaging revealed that postsynaptic depolarization also reduces presynaptic calcium influx. The inhibition of both presynaptic calcium influx and EPSCs is eliminated by buffering postsynaptic calcium with BAPTA. The cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 prevents DSE, and the agonist WIN 55,212-2 occludes DSE. These findings suggest that Purkinje cells release endogenous cannabinoids in response to elevated calcium, thereby inhibiting presynaptic calcium entry and suppressing transmitter release. DSE may provide a way for cells to use their firing rate to dynamically regulate synaptic inputs. Together with previous studies, these findings suggest a widespread role for endogenous cannabinoids in retrograde synaptic inhibition.

Release-independent short-term synaptic depression in cultured hippocampal neurons

Short-term synaptic plasticity may dramatically influence neuronal information transfer, yet the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In autapses (self-synapses) formed by cultured hippocampal neurons, short-term synaptic depression (STD) had several unusual features. (1) Reduction of neurotransmitter release probability with Cd(2+), a blocker of voltage-gated calcium channels, did not change depression. (2) Lowering [Ca(2+)](o) and/or raising [Mg(2+)](o) had little effect on STD in cells with strong baseline depression, but in cells with more modest baseline depression, it reduced the depression. (3) Random variations in the size of initial EPSCs did not influence successive EPSC sizes. These findings were inconsistent with release-dependent mechanisms, such as vesicle depletion, post-synaptic receptor desensitization, and autoreceptor inhibition. Instead, other results suggested that changes in action potentials (APs) contributed to depression. The somatic APs declined in amplitude with repetitive stimulation, and modest reduction of AP amplitudes with tetrodotoxin inhibited EPSCs. Notably, tetrodotoxin also increased depression. Similar changes in axonal APs could produce STD in at least two ways. First, decreasing presynaptic spike amplitudes could reduce calcium entry and release probability. Alternatively, APs could fail to propagate through some axonal branches, reducing the number of active synapses. To explore these possibilities, we derived the expected variance of EPSCs for the two scenarios. Experimentally, the variance increased and then decreased on average with successive responses during trains of APs, confirming a unique prediction from the conduction failure scenario. Thus, STD had surprising properties, incompatible with commonly postulated mechanisms but consistent with AP conduction failure at axonal branches.

Release-independent short-term synaptic depression in cultured hippocampal neurons

Short-term synaptic plasticity may dramatically influence neuronal information transfer, yet the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In autapses (self-synapses) formed by cultured hippocampal neurons, short-term synaptic depression (STD) had several unusual features. (1) Reduction of neurotransmitter release probability with Cd(2+), a blocker of voltage-gated calcium channels, did not change depression. (2) Lowering [Ca(2+)](o) and/or raising [Mg(2+)](o) had little effect on STD in cells with strong baseline depression, but in cells with more modest baseline depression, it reduced the depression. (3) Random variations in the size of initial EPSCs did not influence successive EPSC sizes. These findings were inconsistent with release-dependent mechanisms, such as vesicle depletion, post-synaptic receptor desensitization, and autoreceptor inhibition. Instead, other results suggested that changes in action potentials (APs) contributed to depression. The somatic APs declined in amplitude with repetitive stimulation, and modest reduction of AP amplitudes with tetrodotoxin inhibited EPSCs. Notably, tetrodotoxin also increased depression. Similar changes in axonal APs could produce STD in at least two ways. First, decreasing presynaptic spike amplitudes could reduce calcium entry and release probability. Alternatively, APs could fail to propagate through some axonal branches, reducing the number of active synapses. To explore these possibilities, we derived the expected variance of EPSCs for the two scenarios. Experimentally, the variance increased and then decreased on average with successive responses during trains of APs, confirming a unique prediction from the conduction failure scenario. Thus, STD had surprising properties, incompatible with commonly postulated mechanisms but consistent with AP conduction failure at axonal branches.

Relief of G-protein inhibition of calcium channels and short-term synaptic facilitation in cultured hippocampal neurons

G-protein inhibition of voltage-gated calcium channels can be transiently relieved by repetitive physiological stimuli. Here, we provide evidence that such relief of inhibition contributes to short-term synaptic plasticity in microisland-cultured hippocampal neurons. With G-protein inhibition induced by the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen or the adenosine A1 receptor agonist 2-chloroadenosine, short-term synaptic facilitation emerged during action potential trains. The facilitation decayed with a time constant of approximately 100 msec. However, addition of the calcium channel inhibitor Cd(2+) at 2-3 microM had no such effect and did not alter baseline synaptic depression. As expected of facilitation from relief of channel inhibition, analysis of miniature EPSCs implicated presynaptic modulation, and elevating presynaptic Ca(2+) entry blunted the facilitation. Most telling was the near occlusion of synaptic facilitation after selective blockade of P/Q- but not N-type calcium channels. This was as predicted from experiments using recombinant calcium channels expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells; we found significantly stronger relief of G-protein inhibition in recombinant P/Q- versus N-type channels during action potential trains. G-protein inhibition in HEK 293 cells was induced via recombinant M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors activated by carbachol, an acetylcholine analog. Thus, relief of G-protein inhibition appears to produce a novel form of short-term synaptic facilitation in cultured neurons. Similar short-term synaptic plasticity may be present at a wide variety of synapses, as it could occur during autoreceptor inhibition by glutamate or GABA, heterosynaptic inhibition by GABA, tonic adenosine inhibition, and in many other instances.

Relief of G-protein inhibition of calcium channels and short-term synaptic facilitation in cultured hippocampal neurons

G-protein inhibition of voltage-gated calcium channels can be transiently relieved by repetitive physiological stimuli. Here, we provide evidence that such relief of inhibition contributes to short-term synaptic plasticity in microisland-cultured hippocampal neurons. With G-protein inhibition induced by the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen or the adenosine A1 receptor agonist 2-chloroadenosine, short-term synaptic facilitation emerged during action potential trains. The facilitation decayed with a time constant of approximately 100 msec. However, addition of the calcium channel inhibitor Cd(2+) at 2-3 microM had no such effect and did not alter baseline synaptic depression. As expected of facilitation from relief of channel inhibition, analysis of miniature EPSCs implicated presynaptic modulation, and elevating presynaptic Ca(2+) entry blunted the facilitation. Most telling was the near occlusion of synaptic facilitation after selective blockade of P/Q- but not N-type calcium channels. This was as predicted from experiments using recombinant calcium channels expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells; we found significantly stronger relief of G-protein inhibition in recombinant P/Q- versus N-type channels during action potential trains. G-protein inhibition in HEK 293 cells was induced via recombinant M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors activated by carbachol, an acetylcholine analog. Thus, relief of G-protein inhibition appears to produce a novel form of short-term synaptic facilitation in cultured neurons. Similar short-term synaptic plasticity may be present at a wide variety of synapses, as it could occur during autoreceptor inhibition by glutamate or GABA, heterosynaptic inhibition by GABA, tonic adenosine inhibition, and in many other instances.

Effect of phasic activation on endplate potential in rat diaphragm

Neuromuscular junction endplate potentials (EPPs) decrease quickly and to a large extent during continuous stimulation. The present study examined the hypothesis that EPP rundown recovers rapidly, thereby substantially preserving neurotransmission during intermittent compared with continuous stimulation. Studies were performed in vitro on rat diaphragm, using mu-conotoxin to allow recording of normal-sized EPPs from intact fibers. During continuous 5- to 100-Hz stimulation, EPP amplitude declined with a biphasic time course. The initial fast rate of decline was modulated substantially by stimulation frequency, whereas the subsequent slow rate of decline was relatively frequency independent. During intermittent 5- to 100-Hz stimulation (duty cycle 0.33), EPP amplitude declined rapidly during each train, but recovered substantially by the onset of the following train. The intra-train declines were substantially greater than the inter-train declines in EPP amplitude. Intra-train reductions in EPP amplitude were stimulation frequency dependent, based on both the total decline and rate constant of EPP decline. In contrast, the degree of recovery from train to train was independent of stimulation frequency, indicating low frequency dependence of inter-train rundown. The substantial recovery of EPP amplitude in between trains resulted in greater cumulative EPP size during intermittent compared with continuous stimulation. During continuous stimulation, EPP drop-out was only seen during 100-Hz stimulation; this was completed mitigated during intermittent stimulation. Miniature EPP size was unaffected by either continuous or intermittent stimulation. The pattern of rapid intra-train rundown and slow inter-train rundown of EPP size during intermittent stimulation is therefore due to rapid changes in the magnitude of neurotransmitter release rather than to axonal block or postsynaptic receptor desensitization. These findings indicate considerable rundown of EPP amplitudes within a stimulus train, with near complete recovery by the onset of the next train. This substantially attenuates the decrement in EPP amplitude during intermittent compared with continuous stimulation, thereby preserving the integrity of neurotransmission during phasic activation.

Calcium dependence and recovery kinetics of presynaptic depression at the climbing fiber to Purkinje cell synapse

Short-term depression is a widespread form of use-dependent plasticity found in the peripheral and central nervous systems of invertebrates and vertebrates. The mechanism behind this transient decrease in synaptic strength is thought to be primarily the result of presynaptic "depletion" of a readily releasable neurotransmitter pool, which typically recovers with a time constant of a few seconds. We studied the mechanism and dynamics of recovery from depression at the climbing fiber to Purkinje cell synapse, where marked presynaptic depression has been described previously. Climbing fibers are well suited to studies of recovery from depression because they display little, if any, facilitation (even under conditions of low-release probability), which can obscure rapid recovery from depression for hundreds of milliseconds after release. We found that recovery from depression occurred in three kinetic phases. The fast and intermediate components could be approximated by exponentials with time constants of 100 msec and 3 sec at 24 degrees C. A much slower recovery phase was also present, but it was only prominent during prolonged stimulus trains. The fast component was enhanced by raising extracellular calcium and was eliminated by lowering presynaptic calcium, suggesting that, on short time scales, recovery from depression is driven by residual calcium. During regular and Poisson stimulus trains, recovery from depression was dramatically accelerated by accumulation of presynaptic residual calcium, maintaining synaptic efficacy under conditions that would otherwise deplete the available transmitter pool. This represents a novel form of presynaptic plasticity in that high levels of activity modulate the rate of recovery as well as the magnitude of depression.

Calcium dependence and recovery kinetics of presynaptic depression at the climbing fiber to Purkinje cell synapse

Short-term depression is a widespread form of use-dependent plasticity found in the peripheral and central nervous systems of invertebrates and vertebrates. The mechanism behind this transient decrease in synaptic strength is thought to be primarily the result of presynaptic "depletion" of a readily releasable neurotransmitter pool, which typically recovers with a time constant of a few seconds. We studied the mechanism and dynamics of recovery from depression at the climbing fiber to Purkinje cell synapse, where marked presynaptic depression has been described previously. Climbing fibers are well suited to studies of recovery from depression because they display little, if any, facilitation (even under conditions of low-release probability), which can obscure rapid recovery from depression for hundreds of milliseconds after release. We found that recovery from depression occurred in three kinetic phases. The fast and intermediate components could be approximated by exponentials with time constants of 100 msec and 3 sec at 24 degrees C. A much slower recovery phase was also present, but it was only prominent during prolonged stimulus trains. The fast component was enhanced by raising extracellular calcium and was eliminated by lowering presynaptic calcium, suggesting that, on short time scales, recovery from depression is driven by residual calcium. During regular and Poisson stimulus trains, recovery from depression was dramatically accelerated by accumulation of presynaptic residual calcium, maintaining synaptic efficacy under conditions that would otherwise deplete the available transmitter pool. This represents a novel form of presynaptic plasticity in that high levels of activity modulate the rate of recovery as well as the magnitude of depression.

Intrinsic and thalamic excitatory inputs onto songbird LMAN neurons differ in their pharmacological and temporal properties

In passerine songbirds, the lateral portion of the magnocellular nucleus of the anterior neostriatum (LMAN) plays a vital role in song learning, possibly by encoding sensory information and providing sensory feedback to the vocal motor system. Consistent with this, LMAN neurons are auditory, and, as learning progresses, they evolve from a broadly tuned initial state to a state of strong preference for the bird's own song and acute sensitivity to the temporal order of this song. Moreover, normal synaptic activity in LMAN is required during sensory learning for accurate tutor song copying to occur (). To explore cellular and synaptic properties of LMAN that may contribute to this crucial stage of song acquisition, we developed an acute slice preparation of LMAN from zebra finches in the early stages of sensory learning (18-25 days posthatch). We used this preparation to examine intrinsic neuronal properties of LMAN neurons at this stage and to identify two independent excitatory inputs to these neurons and compare each input's pharmacology and short-term synaptic plasticity. LMAN neurons had immature passive membrane properties, well-developed spiking behavior, and received excitatory input from two sources: afferents from the medial portion of the dorsolateral thalamus (DLM), and recurrent axon collaterals from LMAN itself ("intrinsic" input). These two inputs differed in both their pharmacology and temporal properties. Both inputs were glutamatergic, but LMAN responses to intrinsic inputs exhibited a larger N-methyl--aspartate component than responses to DLM inputs. Both inputs elicited temporal summation in response to pairs of stimuli delivered at short intervals, but -2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV) significantly reduced the temporal summation only of the responses to intrinsic inputs. Moreover, responses to DLM inputs showed consistent paired-pulse depression, whereas the responses to intrinsic inputs did not. The differences between these two inputs suggest that intrinsic circuitry plays an important role in transforming DLM input patterns into the appropriate LMAN output patterns, as has been suggested for mammalian thalamocortical networks. Moreover, in LMAN, such interactions may contribute to the profound temporal and spectral selectivity that these neurons will acquire during learning.

Molecular and functional diversity at synapses of individual neurons in vitro

We have quantified activity-dependent uptake of the fluorescent dye FM1-43 in combination with immunocytochemistry for synaptic vesicle-associated proteins (SVPs) at individual synapses in primary cultures of rat cortical neurons. We show that expression of synaptic proteins is highly variable and that the levels of synaptophysin (p38), synapsin I and sv2, but not synapsin II, correlate with the extent of FM1-43 labelling at synapses. The data indicate that SVP levels affect the uptake of FM1-43 with different efficacy (p38 > synapsin I > sv2 or synapsin II). We also found that the relative levels of SVPs vary at individual boutons of single neurons grown in isolation, which indicates that differential regulation of specific SVPs may contribute to the selective modulation of activity at synapses of the same neuron.

Paired-pulse modulation of fast excitatory synaptic currents in microcultures of rat hippocampal neurons

1. Paired-pulse modulation of excitatory non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (non-NMDA) receptor-mediated autaptic currents and conventional monosynaptic (interneuronal) excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) was investigated in microcultures of rat hippocampal neurons, where polysynaptic influences are eliminated. 2. Most autaptic currents and EPSCs exhibited paired-pulse depression in response to paired stimuli. Depression was sensitive to the level of transmitter release, which was varied by manipulating extracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations. Paired-pulse facilitation emerged in many cells at low levels of transmitter release. 3. Paired-pulse depression and facilitation could be differentially expressed at two distinct postsynaptic targets of a single presynaptic cell, and the form of modulation was not dependent upon the transmitter phenotype of the postsynaptic cell. 4. Paired-pulse depression recovered exponentially with a time constant of approximately 5 s, although in most neurons a much faster component of recovery was detected. Recovery from paired-pulse facilitation was well described by a single exponential of 380 +/- 57 ms. 5. Under conditions of robust paired-pulse depression of evoked responses, spontaneous autaptic and postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs, presumed miniature EPSCs) occurred at an enhanced frequency immediately following evoked responses. The decay of the frequency increase mirrored the time course of recovery from paired-pulse facilitation of evoked responses examined under conditions of reduced transmitter release. 6. Several lines of evidence suggested a large presynaptic component to paired-pulse depression. In eight out of nine cells no depression in sEPSC amplitudes was detected following conditioning stimulation. Simultaneously recorded glial glutamate uptake currents showed depression similar to neuronal evoked EPSCs. Finally, NMDA receptor-mediated EPSC paired-pulse depression at positive potentials was similar to non-NMDA EPSC depression. 7. Neither adenosine nor glutamate feedback onto presynaptic receptors is likely to mediate paired-pulse depression, because neither competitive nor non-competitive inhibitors of the actions of these agents diminished paired-pulse depression.

Calcium released by photolysis of DM-nitrophen triggers transmitter release at the crayfish neuromuscular junction

1. Spontaneous and evoked transmitter release at the crayfish neuromuscular junction were potentiated in response to photolytic release of calcium from the 'caged' calcium compound DM-nitrophen, which had previously been injected into presynaptic terminals. 2. The amount of calcium released from DM-nitrophen photolysis depends on the concentration of DM-nitrophen, its photoproducts, Ca2+, Mg2+, H+, ATP and the cell's native buffer. Since none of these are known in the crayfish terminal, the study was conducted in a qualitative fashion. 3. Photolytic release of calcium from DM-nitrophen increased excitatory junctional potentials (EJPs) by a range of 2-31 times over control values and the miniature excitatory junctional potential (MEJP) frequency increased from resting values of 1-10 quanta/s to 3000-11,000 quanta/s. 4. Extracellular calcium was not required for the light-evoked asynchronous release of transmitter. Calcium-bound DM-nitrophen previously pressure injected into crayfish presynaptic terminals increased the MEJP frequency from resting values of 1-8 quanta/s to 800-10,000 quanta/s during photolysis in a calcium-free cobalt Ringer solution. 5. Iontophoresis of calcium-free DM-nitrophen into presynaptic terminals released transmitter upon photolysis, but only in a calcium-containing Ringer solution. This suggests that DM-nitrophen is capable of binding calcium once injected into terminals, but this is dependent on the presence of external calcium. 6. Photolysis of DM-nitrophen at lower light intensities produced a slower rate of transmitter release. 7. Brief light exposures, i.e. those which photolysed 5-20% of the DM-nitrophen, resulted in a rapid decay of postsynaptic responses on extinguishing the light, due to rebinding of photolytically released calcium to unphotolysed DM-nitrophen. Longer light exposures which completely photolysed DM-nitrophen, leaving only the low affinity photoproducts, produced a slow decay of transmitter release after the light pulse, presumably due to the active extrusion of calcium from the presynaptic terminals. 8. During photolysis of DM-nitrophen, the time courses of changes in EJP amplitude and MEJP frequency were different, indicating that the two measures of transmitter release were not linearly related. 9. MEJP frequency and EJP amplitudes during DM-nitrophen photolysis were fitted to a 'non-linear summation model' in which photolytically released calcium sums with calcium entering during an action potential to evoke transmitter release with a calcium co-operativity of five.

The effect of isoflurane on excitatory synaptic transmission in the rat hippocampus

The purpose of this investigation was to study the effect of isoflurane on excitatory synaptic transmission. Rat hippocampal slices maintained in vitro were used as a model. Isoflurane caused a dose-dependent reduction of the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP); 1.5% isoflurane reduced the EPSP by 35 +/- 9% (mean +/- s.d.) and 3% by 57 +/- 11%. Neither spontaneous nor potassium-stimulated efflux of the glutamate analogue D-(3H)aspartate was changed, but the content of D-(3H)aspartate in slices loaded during isoflurane was reduced to 83 +/- 12% of control (P less than 0.05). The intracellularly recorded response to direct application of glutamate increased by 37 +/- 20% during isoflurane (3%) and 50 +/- 5% during halothane (2%). Isoflurane (3%) enhanced the response to the glutamate receptor agonist quisqualate by 44 +/- 19%, whereas the N-methyl-D-aspartate response was unchanged. Isoflurane enhanced the tetanic depression of the population spike. The present results suggest that isoflurane reduces excitatory synaptic transmission by a presynaptic mechanism.

Impulse conduction in sympathetic nerve terminals in the guinea-pig vas deferens and the role of the pelvic ganglia

Focal extracellular recording techniques were used to study nerve impulse propagation and the intermittent transmitter release mechanism in sympathetic nerve terminals of the guinea-pig vas deferens in vitro. In particular, the nature of impulse propagation in postganglionic nerve fibres was characterized following pre- or postganglionic stimulation. Conventional intracellular recording techniques were also used to study directly ganglionic transmission in cell bodies in the anterior pelvic ganglia. When brief electrical stimuli were applied to the hypogastric nerve trunk close to the prostatic end of the vas deferens, the nerve terminal impulses recorded extracellularly could be evoked either directly by stimulation of the parent axon (i.e. postganglionically) or indirectly by stimulation of the preganglionic nerve fibre. In 364 separate recordings, nerve terminal impulse conduction failure was not observed during trains of stimuli at 1 Hz. However, apparent "intermittent conduction" of nerve impulses was noted on 16 occasions. In these fibres, the degree of intermittent conduction decreased as the frequency of stimulation was increased. Conduction in these intermittent fibres was reversibly interrupted by removing calcium from the Krebs' solution or by the addition of the ganglion blocker, hexamethonium (30-100 microM). Thus, the cause of intermittent conduction is failure of the transmission of excitation in the sympathetic ganglia. Impulses evoked by postganglionic stimulation never failed to propagate into the nerve terminals, and changes in the shape or amplitude of the nerve terminal impulse during trains of stimuli were not detected. One effect of stimulation was a frequency-dependent increase in the latency of the nerve terminal impulse which developed during the train of stimuli. Thus, intermittence of transmitter release from individual varicosities cannot be attributed to failure of impulse propagation in sympathetic nerve terminals. Transmission in the anterior pelvic ganglia was investigated directly by making intracellular recordings from cell bodies whose terminals projected to the vas deferens. Many cell bodies received a strong synaptic input which generated an action potential in the postganglionic cell body on a one-to-one basis. However, in some cell bodies there was a low safety factor for the generation of the action potential by the excitatory postsynaptic potential. The safety factor for generating an action potential in the postganglionic cell body was raised by increasing the frequency of stimulation. These findings suggest that peripheral ganglia are not simple one-to-one relay stations, but may well play an important role in controlling the patterns of nerve impulse traffic in postganglionic sympathetic neurons.

In vitro studies of prolonged synaptic depression in the neonatal rat spinal cord

1. Synaptic transmission between dorsal root afferents and alpha-motoneurones was studied in the in vitro hemisected spinal cord preparation isolated from neonatal rats. 2. Repetitive stimulation of the dorsal roots depressed the monosynaptic reflex recorded from the homologous ventral roots. The depression developed within the first five to six pulses in a stimulus train and stabilized at a plateau-like level for many seconds of stimulation. 3. The magnitude of the reflex depression depended on the stimulation interval and was capable of reducing the reflex to 17% of its undepressed control during 5 Hz stimulus trains. Complete recovery from depression was obtained at stimulation intervals greater than or equal to 30 s. 4. Monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) were recorded intracellularly after reduction of the activity in polysynaptic pathways by addition of mephenesin to the bathing media. These EPSPs exhibited a prolonged, frequency-dependent synaptic depression. The depression reduced the amplitude of the EPSP to 25% of the undepressed control during 5 Hz stimulus trains, and was alleviated completely at stimulus interval greater than or equal to 60 s. 5. The prolonged EPSP depression was not altered by blockade of glycinergic and type-A gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA-ergic) receptors underlying postsynaptic inhibition in the spinal cord. Injection of current steps to motoneurones before and during the prolonged depression revealed similar values of the membrane time constant and input resistance. These excluded changes in the passive properties of the motoneurone membrane as an explanation for the observed synaptic depression. 6. Extracellular recordings of terminal potentials and their accompanying synaptic fields from motor nuclei in the ventrolateral cord revealed that the frequency-dependent depression in the synaptic fields was not preceded by any detectable changes in the amplitude or the shape of the terminal potential, suggesting that the depression cannot be attributed to impairment of action potential invasion to the afferent terminals. 7. Reduction of the basic level of transmitter release in the spinal cord by increasing the Mg2+/Ca2+ ratio of the bathing solution or by application of 2 microM of L(-)baclofen markedly diminished the synaptic potential depression at all the stimulation intervals tested in this study. Recovery from depression was evident for stimulation intervals greater than or equal to 5 s. Under these conditions, short tetanic trains (5 pulses at 25 Hz) revealed a substantial facilitation and potentiation of the EPSPs. 8. We suggest that prolonged depression of synaptic potentials in the neonatal rat reflects decreased transmitter output from the activated afferent terminals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effect of conduction block at axon bifurcations on synaptic transmission to different postsynaptic neurones in the leech

1. The cutaneous receptive field of the medial pressure (mP) sensory neurone in the leech has been examined. The cell has one major receptive field and an anterior and a posterior minor receptive field, principally on lateral and dorsal skin. The two minor receptive fields are contiguous with the major receptive field and are innervated by fine anterior and posterior axons, but there is no overlap between major and minor receptive fields. 2. At low frequencies of stimulation of the minor receptive fields, conduction block takes place in the mP cell at the central branch point within the leech ganglion. 3. The mP cell synapses directly with many other cells in the leech ganglion, including the anterior pagoda (AP) cell, longitudinal (L) motoneurone and the annulus erector (AE) motoneurone, which were studied as a group of postsynaptic neurones. Conduction block in the mP cell affects its synaptic transmission to all three postsynaptic neurones, but the effect can be different in different postsynaptic neurones. Block at the central branch point for an impulse travelling along the anterior axon reduces transmission to the AE cell much more than to the AP or L cells, while block at the central branch for an impulse travelling along the posterior axon has the reverse effect. 4. The distribution of functional connections of the branches of the mP cell with each postsynaptic cell was studied. For this analysis, branches of the mP cell were selectively silenced either during conduction block or by laser microsurgery. Generally, nearly all of the functional connections with the L and AP cell are made by anterior branches of the mP cell while the connection with the AE cell was primarily made by posterior branches of the mP cell. 5. The possible sites of contact between the mP cell and postsynaptic cells were determined by injecting separate markers into the mP cell and a postsynaptic cell. In confirmation of physiology, the mP cell's posterior branches had few, if any, contacts with the AP cell, while anterior branches had few, if any, contacts upon the AE cell. 6. Conduction block can thus act as a switch in the central nervous system (CNS), altering the mP cell's pattern of synaptic transmission to different postsynaptic neurons depending upon the region of a single sensory neurone's receptive field that is stimulated. This effect, dependent upon inputs to a single neurone, may be expected to influence the performance of the system and its outputs.

Computation of action potential propagation and presynaptic bouton activation in terminal arborizations of different geometries

Action potential propagation in axons with bifurcations involving short collaterals with synaptic boutons has been simulated using SPICE, a general purpose electrical circuit simulation program. The large electrical load of the boutons may lead to propagation failure at otherwise uncritical geometric ratios. Because the action potential gradually fails while approaching the branch point, the electrotonic spread of the failing action potential cannot depolarize the terminal boutons above an assumed threshold of 20 mV (Vrest = 0 mV) for the presynaptic calcium inflow, and therefore fails to evoke transmitter release even for boutons attached at short collaterals. For even shorter collaterals the terminal boutons can again be activated by the spread of passive current reflected at the sealed end of the bouton which increases the membrane potential above firing threshold. The action potential is then propagated in anterograde fashion into the main axon and may activate the terminal bouton on the other collateral. Differential activation of the synaptic boutons can be observed without repetitive activation of the main axon and with the assumption of uniform membrane properties. Axon enlargements above a critical size at branch points can increase the safety factor for propagation significantly and may serve a double function: they can act both as presynaptic boutons and as boosters, facilitating invasion of the action potential into the terminal arborizations. The architecture of the terminal arborizations has a profound effect on the activation pattern of synapses, suggesting that terminal arborizations not only distribute neural information to postsynaptic cells but may also be able to process neural information presynaptically.

Simulation of action potential propagation in complex terminal arborizations

Action potential propagation in complex terminal arborizations was simulated using SPICE, a general purpose circuit simulation program. The Hodgkin-Huxley equations were used to simulate excitable membrane compartments. Conduction failure was common at branch points and regularly spaced boutons en passant. More complex arborizations had proportionally more inactive synapses than less complex arborizations. At lower temperature the safety factor for impulse propagation increased, reducing the number of silent synapses in a particular arborization. Small structural differences as well as minute changes in the discharge frequency of the action potential resulted in very different activation patterns of the arborization and terminal boutons. The results suggest that the structural diversity of terminal arborizations allows a wide range of presynaptic information processing. The results from this simulation study are discussed in the context of experimental results on the modulation of synaptic transmission.

Modulation of conduction at points of axonal bifurcation by applied electric fields

This study investigated how weak electric fields, on the order of 100 mV/cm, modulate action potential conduction through points of axonal bifurcation in leech touch sensory neurons. Axonal branch points in neurons are ubiquitous structures, and they are sites of low safety-factor for action potential propagation. In this study calibrated electric fields were applied around excised ganglia from the leech central nervous system. The electric fields were generated by 500 ms constant current square waves applied to the bath containing the tissue. Microelectrode penetration of the neurons was used to: 1) record transmembrane potential changes in the cell body of the neuron that resulted from the external field; 2) monitor conduction block when action potentials, evoked in the periphery, propagated into the ganglion; 3) inject current directly into the cell in an experimental analysis of the mechanism by which the externally applied field produced block. Conduction block was reliably induced by electric fields too weak to reach threshold for firing action potentials. In an experimental analysis where block was produced by the direct intracellular injection of negative current, a reversed polarity field relieved it. This indicates that when the external field induces block, it does so by membrane hyperpolarization at the branch point.

Quantal stores of excitatory transmitter in nerve-muscle synapses of crayfish evaluated from high-frequency asynchronous quantal release induced by veratridine or high concentrations of potassium

At single voltage-clamped opener muscle fibres of crayfish claw, 10-100 mumol/l veratridine increased within a few seconds the rate of asynchronous quantal release, ñ, of excitatory transmitter from ñ less than 1 quantum/s to ñ congruent to 10,000 quanta/s. Thereafter ñ declined exponentially either with a single, tau(2) congruent to 50 s, or with two time constants tau(1) congruent to 19 s, tau(2) congruent to 50 s. In total (t----infinity), about 0.3 million quanta were released by veratridine in a single short fibre of about 1 mm length. These values were estimated by means of the noise analysis technique and they agreed with equivalent parameters of release when 100 mmol/l K+ were used as release stimulus. Strong quantal release could be elicited only once in a single muscle by veratridine. Furthermore, the effect of veratridine on quantal release could be completely prevented by pretreatment with tetrodotoxin. In another nerve-muscle preparation of crayfish, the abdominal superficial extensor muscle, up to 3 million excitatory quanta could be released by veratridine in a single fibre. In the latter muscle veratridine-induced asynchronous quantal release was strongly dependent on the extracellular concentration of Ca2+ whereas in the claw opener dependence of quantal release on extracellular Ca2+ was negligible.

Laser microbeam axotomy and conduction block show that electrical transmission at a central synapse is distributed at multiple contacts

Touch (T) sensory neurons in the leech innervate defined regions of skin and synapse on other neurons, including other T cells, within the ganglionic neuropil. The cells' receptive fields in the periphery are comprised of a central region, innervated by thick axons, and adjoining regions (minor fields) innervated by thinner axons. Secondary branches, known to be sites of synapses, emerge from the thinner and thicker axons. Pairs of T cells appear to make up to 200 separate contacts distributed within the neuropil. When the T cell is hyperpolarized, as occurs during natural stimulation of the cell, action potentials generated in the minor field and travelling into the ganglion along the thin axons may fail to conduct at central branch points. Evidence is presented, using axon conduction block and laser axotomy of cells filled with 6-carboxy-fluorescein, that synapses between separate groups of branches can function independently. Thus, selective activation of branches of the thin anterior axon produced a synaptic potential 36 +/- 6% of control amplitude, which was consistent with counts of 39 +/- 6% of contacts made by these branches. Laser axotomy of postsynaptic neurons showed that the anterior contacts indeed made the principal or only contacts activated during anterior conduction block. The results show that conduction block can modulate transmission within the ganglion, and it operates by silencing particular contacts between cells.

Burst-patterned stimulation promotes nicotinic transmission in isolated perfused rat sympathetic ganglia

1. Intracellular recordings of small nicotinic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) were made from rostral cells in superior cervical ganglia (SCG) of rats during and after test stimulation of small preganglionic fibre bundles, while perfusing the isolated ganglia via their arterial vasculature. Perfusion, in contrast to superfusion of desheathed ganglia, (a) produced much more rapid and complete equilibration of drugs and ions at synaptic sites, (b) greatly reduced depression of EPSPs during high-frequency stimulation, and (c) largely prevented slowing of conduction, presumably by minimizing accumulation of K+ in the intercellular spaces surrounding these sites. 2. Preganglionic inputs were found to fall into two major groups: those in which the EPSP amplitude during 200 pulse trains was facilitated and others in which it was depressed as stimulation frequency in the train was increased from 2 to 20 Hz or from 0.2 to 1.25 Hz. Both the facilitation and the depression were presynaptic, since they occurred without changes in miniature EPSP amplitude. 3. The maximum maintained facilitation was reached at 5-10 Hz with a value 1.26 times the 1.0 Hz control. This was associated with an increase in the binomial parameter n. While long 20 Hz trains produced a similar facilitation to an early plateau, and an increase in n, EPSP amplitude declined as the train progressed. This was associated with a decrease in the binomial parameter p. 4. Unlike the 20 Hz trains, stimulation with 0.5 s long, 20 Hz bursts given every 8 s produced a marked potentiation in facilitating units and this was maintained for as long as the stimulation was continued (3-11 min). Burst-patterned potentiation was 1.66 times larger than the facilitation evoked by tonic stimulation at the same average frequency (1.25 Hz), and more than twice that achieved with long, 200 pulse trains. The potentiation was associated with increases in both n and p in the first EPSP of the burst and mainly with an increase in n at the end of the burst. Potentiation persisted unchanged for about 30 s following the return to control 0.2 Hz stimulation, before declining to control levels over the next 2-3 min. Depressing units on average showed neither burst-patterned potentiation nor post-burst-patterned potentiation. 5. All inputs tested in Locke solution in which Ca2+ was reduced to 0.5 mM with addition of 1.2 mM-Mn2+ or 3.8 mM-MgCl2 exhibited a pronounced facilitation within each burst but no extension of potentiation into ensuing bursts. Both burst-patterned potentiation and the post-burst-patterned potentiation were abolished.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)