Low expression of Kv7/M channels facilitates intrinsic and network bursting in the developing rat hippocampus

Kv7/M channel dysfunction produces hyperexcitability in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells of Fmr1 knockout mice

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most frequent monogenic form of intellectual disability, is caused by transcriptional silencing of the FMR1 gene that could render neuronal hyperexcitability. Here we show that pyramidal cells (PCs) in the dorsal CA1 region of the hippocampus elicited a larger action potential (AP) number in response to suprathreshold stimulation in juvenile Fmr1 knockout (KO) than wild-type (WT) mice. Because Kv7/M channels modulate CA1 PC excitability in rats, we investigated if their dysfunction produces neuronal hyperexcitability in Fmr1 KO mice. Immunohistochemical and western blot analyses showed no differences in the expression of Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 channel subunits between genotypes; however, the current mediated by Kv7/M channels was reduced in Fmr1 KO mice. In both genotypes, bath application of XE991 (10 μM), a blocker of Kv7/M channels: produced an increased AP number, produced an increased input resistance, produced a decreased AP voltage threshold and shaped AP medium afterhyperpolarization by increasing mean velocities. Retigabine (10 μM), an opener of Kv7/M channels, produced opposite effects to XE991. Both XE991 and retigabine abolished differences in all these parameters found in control conditions between genotypes. Furthermore, a low concentration of retigabine (2.5 μM) normalized CA1 PC excitability of Fmr1 KO mice. Finally, ex vivo seizure-like events evoked by 4-aminopyiridine (200 μM) in the dorsal CA1 region were more frequent in Fmr1 KO mice, and were abolished by retigabine (5-10 μM). We conclude that CA1 PCs of Fmr1 KO mice exhibit hyperexcitability, caused by Kv7/M channel dysfunction, and increased epileptiform activity, which were abolished by retigabine. KEY POINTS: Dorsal pyramidal cells of the hippocampal CA1 region of Fmr1 knockout mice exhibit hyperexcitability. Kv7/M channel activity, but not expression, is reduced in pyramidal cells of the hippocampal CA1 region of Fmr1 knockout mice. Kv7/M channel dysfunction causes hyperexcitability in pyramidal cells of the hippocampal CA1 region of Fmr1 knockout mice by increasing input resistance, decreasing AP voltage threshold and shaping medium afterhyperpolarization. A Kv7/M channel opener normalizes neuronal excitability in pyramidal cells of the hippocampal CA1 region of Fmr1 knockout mice. Ex vivo seizure-like events evoked in the dorsal CA1 region were more frequent in Fmr1 KO mice, and such an epileptiform activity was abolished by a Kv7/M channel opener depending on drug concentration. Kv7/M channels may represent a therapeutic target for treating symptoms associated with hippocampal alterations in fragile X syndrome.

Improved classification and pathogenicity assessment by comprehensive functional studies in a large data set of KCNQ2 variants

AIMS

The paucity of functional annotations on hundreds of KCNQ2 variants impedes the diagnosis and treatment of KCNQ2-related disorders. The aims of this work were to determine the functional properties of 331 clinical KCNQ2 variants, interpreted the pathogenicity of 331 variants using functional data，and explored the association between homomeric channel functions and phenotypes.

MAIN METHODS

We collected 145 KCNQ2 variants from 232 epilepsy patients and 186 KCNQ2 missense variants from the ClinVar database. Whole-cell patch-clamp recording was used to classify the function of 331 variants. Subsequently, we proposed 24 criteria for the pathogenicity interpretation of KCNQ2 variants and used them to assess pathogenicity of 331 variants. Finally, we analyzed the clinical phenotypes of patients carrying these variants, and explored the correlations between functional mechanisms and phenotypes.

KEY FINDINGS

In the homozygous state, 287 were classified as loss-of-function and 14 as gain-of-function. In the more clinically relative heterozygous state, 200 variants exhibited functional impairment, 121 of which showed dominant-negative effects on wild-type KCNQ2 subunits. After introducing functional data as strong-level evidence to interpret pathogenicity, over half of variants (169/331) were reclassified and 254 were classified as pathogenic/likely pathogenic. Moreover, dominant-negative effect and haploinsufficiency were identified as primary mechanisms in DEE/ID and SeLNE, respectively. The degree of impairment of channel function correlated with the phenotype severity.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our study reveals the possible cause of KCNQ2-related disorders at the molecular level, provides compelling evidence for clinical classification of KCNQ2 variants, and expands the knowledge of correlations between functional mechanisms and phenotypes.

Machine learning reveals common transcriptomic signatures across rat brain and placenta following developmental organophosphate ester exposure

Toxicogenomics is a critical area of inquiry for hazard identification and to identify both mechanisms of action and potential markers of exposure to toxic compounds. However, data generated by these experiments are highly dimensional and present challenges to standard statistical approaches, requiring strict correction for multiple comparisons. This stringency often fails to detect meaningful changes to low expression genes and/or eliminate genes with small but consistent changes particularly in tissues where slight changes in expression can have important functional differences, such as brain. Machine learning offers an alternative analytical approach for "omics" data that effectively sidesteps the challenges of analyzing highly dimensional data. Using 3 rat RNA transcriptome sets, we utilized an ensemble machine learning approach to predict developmental exposure to a mixture of organophosphate esters (OPEs) in brain (newborn cortex and day 10 hippocampus) and late gestation placenta of male and female rats, and identified genes that informed predictor performance. OPE exposure had sex specific effects on hippocampal transcriptome, and significantly impacted genes associated with mitochondrial transcriptional regulation and cation transport in females, including voltage-gated potassium and calcium channels and subunits. To establish if this holds for other tissues, RNAseq data from cortex and placenta, both previously published and analyzed via a more traditional pipeline, were reanalyzed with the ensemble machine learning methodology. Significant enrichment for pathways of oxidative phosphorylation and electron transport chain was found, suggesting a transcriptomic signature of OPE exposure impacting mitochondrial metabolism across tissue types and developmental epoch. Here we show how machine learning can complement more traditional analytical approaches to identify vulnerable "signature" pathways disrupted by chemical exposures and biomarkers of exposure.

KCNQ2 channels regulate the population activity of neonatal GABAergic neurons ex vivo

Over the last decade KCNQ2 channels have arisen as fundamental and indispensable regulators of neonatal brain excitability, with KCNQ2 loss-of-function pathogenic variants being increasingly identified in patients with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. However, the mechanisms by which KCNQ2 loss-of-function variants lead to network dysfunction are not fully known. An important remaining knowledge gap is whether loss of KCNQ2 function alters GABAergic interneuron activity early in development. To address this question, we applied mesoscale calcium imaging ex vivo in postnatal day 4-7 mice lacking KCNQ2 channels in interneurons (Vgat-ires-cre;Kcnq2f/f;GCamp5). In the presence of elevated extracellular potassium concentrations, ablation of KCNQ2 channels from GABAergic cells increased the interneuron population activity in the hippocampal formation and regions of the neocortex. We found that this increased population activity depends on fast synaptic transmission, with excitatory transmission promoting the activity and GABAergic transmission curtailing it. Together, our data show that loss of function of KCNQ2 channels from interneurons increases the network excitability of the immature GABAergic circuits, revealing a new function of KCNQ2 channels in interneuron physiology in the developing brain.

Time-limited alterations in cortical activity of a knock-in mice model of KCNQ2-related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy

KEY POINTS

The electrophysiological impact of the pathogenic c.821C>T mutation of the KCNQ2 gene (p.T274M variant in Kv7.2 subunit) related to Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy has been analyzed both in vivo and ex-vivo in layers II/III and V of motor cortical slice from a knock-in mice model during development at neonatal, post-weaning and juvenile stages. M current density and conductance are decreased and excitability of layers II/III pyramidal cells is increased in slices from neonatal and post-weaning KI mice but not from juvenile KI mice. M current and excitability of layer V pyramidal cells are impacted in KI mice only at post-weaning stage. Spontaneous GABAergic network-driven events are recorded until post-weaning stage and their frequency are increased in layers II/III of the KI mice. KI mice displayed spontaneous seizures preferentially at post-weaning rather than at juvenile stages.

ABSTRACT

De novo missense variants in the KCNQ2 gene encoding the Kv7.2 subunit of the voltage-gated potassium Kv7/M channels are the main cause of Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy (DEE) with neonatal onset. While seizures usually resolve during development, cognitive/motor deficits persist. To better understand the cellular mechanisms underlying network dysfunction and their progression over time, we investigated in vivo, using local field potential recordings of freely moving animals, and ex-vivo in layers II/III and V of motor cortical slices, using patch-clamp recordings, the electrophysiological properties of pyramidal cells from a heterozygous knock-in (KI) mouse model carrying the Kv7.2 p.T274M pathogenic variant during neonatal, post-weaning and juvenile developmental stages. We found that KI mice displayed spontaneous seizures preferentially at post-weaning rather than at juvenile stages. At the cellular level, the variant led to a reduction in M ​​current density/conductance and to neuronal hyperexcitability. These alterations were observed during the neonatal period in pyramidal cells of layers II /III and during post-weaning stage in pyramidal cells of layer V. Moreover, there was an increase in the frequency of spontaneous network driven events mediated by GABA receptors suggesting that the excitability of interneurons was also increased. However, all these alterations were no more observed in layers II/III and V of juvenile mice. Thus, our data indicate that the action of the variant is developmentally regulated. This raises the possibility that the age related seizure remission observed in KCNQ2-related DEE patient results from a time limited alteration of Kv7 channels activity and neuronal excitability. Abstract figure legend Knock-in mice harboring the heterozygous pathogenic p.T274M variant in the Kv7.2 subunit (c.821C>T mutation of the KCNQ2 gene) related to Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy displayed epileptic seizures preferentially at post-weaning rather than at juvenile developmental stages. At cellular level, in motor cortical slices the variant led to a reduction in M current density, to a hyperexcitability of pyramidal cells and to an increase in the frequency of spontaneous network driven events mediated by GABA receptors. All these alterations are time limited and are observed in pyramidal cells of neonatal mice until post-weaning but not of juvenile mice in which the pyramidal cells have electrophysiological properties similar to those of wild-type mice. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Dysregulation of GABAergic Signaling in Neurodevelomental Disorders: Targeting Cation-Chloride Co-transporters to Re-establish a Proper E/I Balance

The construction of the brain relies on a series of well-defined genetically and experience- or activity -dependent mechanisms which allow to adapt to the external environment. Disruption of these processes leads to neurological and psychiatric disorders, which in many cases are manifest already early in postnatal life. GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain is one of the major players in the early assembly and formation of neuronal circuits. In the prenatal and immediate postnatal period GABA, acting on GABA_A receptors, depolarizes and excites targeted cells via an outwardly directed flux of chloride. In this way it activates NMDA receptors and voltage-dependent calcium channels contributing, through intracellular calcium rise, to shape neuronal activity and to establish, through the formation of new synapses and elimination of others, adult neuronal circuits. The direction of GABA_A-mediated neurotransmission (depolarizing or hyperpolarizing) depends on the intracellular levels of chloride [Cl⁻]_i, which in turn are maintained by the activity of the cation-chloride importer and exporter KCC2 and NKCC1, respectively. Thus, the premature hyperpolarizing action of GABA or its persistent depolarizing effect beyond the postnatal period, leads to behavioral deficits associated with morphological alterations and an excitatory (E)/inhibitory (I) imbalance in selective brain areas. The aim of this review is to summarize recent data concerning the functional role of GABAergic transmission in building up and refining neuronal circuits early in development and its dysfunction in neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), schizophrenia and epilepsy. In particular, we focus on novel information concerning the mechanisms by which alterations in cation-chloride co-transporters (CCC) generate behavioral and cognitive impairment in these diseases. We discuss also the possibility to re-establish a proper GABA_A-mediated neurotransmission and excitatory (E)/inhibitory (I) balance within selective brain areas acting on CCC.

Posttranscriptional modulation of KCNQ2 gene expression by the miR-106b microRNA family

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently emerged as important regulators of ion channel expression. We show here that select miR-106b family members repress the expression of the KCNQ2 K⁺ channel protein by binding to the 3'-untranslated region of KCNQ2 messenger RNA. During the first few weeks after birth, the expression of miR-106b family members rapidly decreases, whereas KCNQ2 protein level inversely increases. Overexpression of miR-106b mimics resulted in a reduction in KCNQ2 protein levels. Conversely, KCNQ2 levels were up-regulated in neurons transfected with antisense miRNA inhibitors. By constructing more specific and stable forms of miR-106b controlling systems, we further confirmed that overexpression of precursor-miR-106b-5p led to a decrease in KCNQ current density and an increase in firing frequency of hippocampal neurons, while tough decoy miR-106b-5p dramatically increased current density and decreased neuronal excitability. These results unmask a regulatory mechanism of KCNQ2 channel expression in early postnatal development and hint at a role for miR-106b up-regulation in the pathophysiology of epilepsy.

Loss of KCNQ2 or KCNQ3 Leads to Multifocal Time-Varying Activity in the Neonatal Forebrain Ex Vivo

Epileptic encephalopathies represent a group of disorders often characterized by refractory seizures, regression in cognitive development, and typically poor prognosis. Dysfunction of KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 channels has emerged as a major cause of neonatal epilepsy. However, our understanding of the cellular mechanisms that may both explain the origins of epilepsy and inform treatment strategies for KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 dysfunction is still lacking. Here, using mesoscale calcium imaging and pharmacology, we demonstrate that in mouse neonatal brain slices, conditional loss of Kcnq2 from forebrain excitatory neurons (Pyr:Kcnq2 mice) or constitutive deletion of Kcnq3 leads to sprawling hyperactivity across the neocortex. Surprisingly, the generation of time-varying hypersynchrony in slices from Pyr:Kcnq2 mice does not require fast synaptic transmission. This is in contrast to control littermates and constitutive Kcnq3 knock-out mice where activity is primarily driven by fast synaptic transmission in the neocortex. Unlike in the neocortex, hypersynchronous activity in the hippocampal formation from Kcnq2 conditional and Kcnq3 constitutive knock-out mice persists in the presence of synaptic transmission blockers. Thus, we propose that loss of KCNQ2 or KCNQ3 function differentially leads to network hyperactivity across the forebrain in a region-specific and macro-circuit-specific manner.

Flexible Stoichiometry: Implications for KCNQ2- and KCNQ3-Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorders

KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 pathogenic channel variants have been associated with a spectrum of developmentally regulated diseases that vary in age of onset, severity, and whether it is transient (i.e., benign familial neonatal seizures) or long-lasting (i.e., developmental and epileptic encephalopathy). KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 channels have also emerged as a target for novel antiepileptic drugs as their activation could reduce epileptic activity. Consequently, a great effort has taken place over the last 2 decades to understand the mechanisms that control the assembly, gating, and modulation of KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 channels. The current view that KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 channels assemble as heteromeric channels (KCNQ2/3) forms the basis of our understanding of KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 channelopathies and drug design. Here, we review the evidence that supports the formation of KCNQ2/3 heteromers in neurons. We also highlight functional and transcriptomic studies that suggest channel composition might not be necessarily fixed in the nervous system, but rather is dynamic and flexible, allowing some neurons to express KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 homomers. We propose that to fully understand KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 channelopathies, we need to adopt a more flexible view of KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 channel stoichiometry, which might differ across development, brain regions, cell types, and disease states.

On the origin of ultraslow spontaneous Na+ fluctuations in neurons of the neonatal forebrain

Spontaneous neuronal and astrocytic activity in the neonate forebrain is believed to drive the maturation of individual cells and their integration into complex brain-region-specific networks. The previously reported forms include bursts of electrical activity and oscillations in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. Here, we use ratiometric Na⁺ imaging to demonstrate spontaneous fluctuations in the intracellular Na⁺ concentration of CA1 pyramidal neurons and astrocytes in tissue slices obtained from the hippocampus of mice at postnatal days 2-4 (P2-4). These occur at very low frequency (∼2/h), can last minutes with amplitudes up to several millimolar, and mostly disappear after the first postnatal week. To further investigate their mechanisms, we model a network consisting of pyramidal neurons and interneurons. Experimentally observed Na⁺ fluctuations are mimicked when GABAergic inhibition in the simulated network is made depolarizing. Both our experiments and computational model show that blocking voltage-gated Na⁺ channels or GABAergic signaling significantly diminish the neuronal Na⁺ fluctuations. On the other hand, blocking a variety of other ion channels, receptors, or transporters including glutamatergic pathways does not have significant effects. Our model also shows that the amplitude and duration of Na⁺ fluctuations decrease as we increase the strength of glial K⁺ uptake. Furthermore, neurons with smaller somatic volumes exhibit fluctuations with higher frequency and amplitude. As opposed to this, larger extracellular to intracellular volume ratio observed in neonatal brain exerts a dampening effect. Finally, our model predicts that these periods of spontaneous Na⁺ influx leave neonatal neuronal networks more vulnerable to seizure-like states when compared with mature brain.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Spontaneous activity in the neonate forebrain plays a key role in cell maturation and brain development. We report spontaneous, ultraslow, asynchronous fluctuations in the intracellular Na⁺ concentration of neurons and astrocytes. We show that this activity is not correlated with the previously reported synchronous neuronal population bursting or Ca²⁺ oscillations, both of which occur at much faster timescales. Furthermore, extracellular K⁺ concentration remains nearly constant. The spontaneous Na⁺ fluctuations disappear after the first postnatal week.

The Role of Kv7.2 in Neurodevelopment: Insights and Gaps in Our Understanding

Kv7.2 subunits encoded by the KCNQ2 gene constitute a critical molecular component of the M-current, a subthreshold voltage-gated potassium current controlling neuronal excitability by dampening repetitive action potential firing. Pathogenic loss-of-function variants in KCNQ2 have been linked to epilepsy since 1998, and there is ample functional evidence showing that dysfunction of the channel indeed results in neuronal hyperexcitability. The recent description of individuals with severe developmental delay with or without seizures due to pathogenic variants in KCNQ2 (KCNQ2-encephalopathy) reveals that Kv7.2 channels also have an important role in neurodevelopment. Kv7.2 channels are expressed already very early in the developing brain when key developmental processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and synaptogenesis play a crucial role in brain morphogenesis and maturation. In this review, we will discuss the available evidence for a role of Kv7.2 channels in these neurodevelopmental processes, focusing in particular on insights derived from KCNQ2-related human phenotypes, from the spatio-temporal expression of Kv7.2 and other Kv7 family member, and from cellular and rodent models, highlighting critical gaps and research strategies to be implemented in the future. Lastly, we propose a model which divides the M-current activity in three different developmental stages, correlating with the cell characteristics during these particular periods in neuronal development, and how this can be linked with KCNQ2-related disorders. Understanding these mechanisms can create opportunities for new targeted therapies for KCNQ2-encephalopathy.

Epileptic channelopathies caused by neuronal Kv7 (KCNQ) channel dysfunction

Seizures are the most common neurological manifestation in the newborn period, with an estimated incidence of 1.8-3.5 per 1000 live births. Prolonged or intractable seizures have a detrimental effect on cognition and brain function in experimental animals and are associated with adverse long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae and an increased risk of post-neonatal epilepsy in humans. The developing brain is particularly susceptible to the potentially severe effects of epilepsy, and epilepsy, especially when refractory to medications, often results in a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) with developmental arrest or regression. DEEs can be primarily attributed to genetic causes. Given the critical role of potassium (K⁺) currents with distinct subcellular localization, biophysical properties, modulation, and pharmacological profile in regulating intrinsic electrical properties of neurons and their responsiveness to synaptic inputs, it is not too surprising that genetic research in the past two decades has identified several K⁺ channel genes as responsible for a large fraction of DEE. In the present article, we review the genetically determined epileptic channelopathies affecting three members of the Kv7 family, namely Kv7.2 (KCNQ2), Kv7.3 (KCNQ3), and Kv7.5 (KCNQ5); we review the phenotypic spectrum of Kv7-related epileptic channelopathies, the different genetic and pathogenetic mechanisms, and the emerging genotype-phenotype correlations which may prove crucial for prognostic predictions, disease management, parental counseling, and individually tailored therapeutic attempts.

Immature Dentate Granule Cells Require Ntrk2/Trkb for the Formation of Functional Hippocampal Circuitry

Early in brain development, impaired neuronal signaling during time-sensitive windows triggers the onset of neurodevelopmental disorders. GABA, through its depolarizing and excitatory actions, drives early developmental events including neuronal circuit formation and refinement. BDNF/TrkB signaling cooperates with GABA actions. How these developmental processes influence the formation of neural circuits and affect adult brain function is unknown. Here, we show that early deletion of Ntrk2/Trkb from immature mouse hippocampal dentate granule cells (DGCs) affects the integration and maturation of newly formed DGCs in the hippocampal circuitry and drives a premature shift from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing GABAergic actions in the target of DGCs, the CA3 principal cells of the hippocampus, by reducing the expression of the cation-chloride importer Nkcc1. These changes lead to the disruption of early synchronized neuronal activity at the network level and impaired morphological maturation of CA3 pyramidal neurons, ultimately contributing to altered adult hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cognitive processes.

Evaluation of Juvenile Animal Studies for Pediatric CNS-Targeted Compounds: A Regulatory Perspective

Central nervous system (CNS)-targeted products are an important category of pediatric pharmaceuticals. In view of the significant postnatal maturation of the CNS, juvenile animal studies (JAS) are performed to support pediatric development of these new medicines. In this project, the design and results of juvenile toxicity studies from 15 drug compounds for the treatment of neurologic or psychiatric conditions were analyzed. Studies were conducted mostly in rats; sometimes in addition in dogs and monkeys. The study design of the pivotal JAS was variable, even for compounds with a similar therapeutic indication. Age of the juvenile animals was not consistently related to the starting age of the intended patient population. Of 15 compounds analyzed, 6 JAS detected more severe toxicities and 6 JAS evidenced novel CNS effects compared to their adult counterparts. The effects of CNS on acoustic startle and learning and memory were observed at high dosages. Reversibility was tested in most cases and revealed some small effects that were retained or only uncovered after termination of treatment. The interpretation of the relevance of these findings was often hampered by the lack of matching end points in the adult studies or inappropriate study designs. Detailed clinical observation and motor activity measures were the most powerful end points to detect juvenile CNS effects. The need for more detailed behavioral examinations in JAS, for example, on learning and memory, should, therefore, be decided upon on a case-by-case basis, based on specific concerns in order to avoid overloading the studies.

Pharmacology and clinical applications of flupirtine: Current and future options

Flupirtine is the first representative in a class of triaminopyridines that exhibits pharmacological properties leading to the suppression of over-excitability of neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Consequently, this drug has been used as a centrally acting analgesic in patients with a range of acute and persistent pain conditions without the adverse effects characteristic of opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and is well tolerated. The pharmacological profile exhibited involves actions on several cellular targets, including Kv7 channels, G-protein-regulated inwardly rectifying K channels and γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors, but also there is evidence of additional as yet unidentified mechanisms of action involved in the effects of flupirtine. Flupirtine has exhibited effects in a range of cells and tissues related to the locations of these targets. In additional to analgesia, flupirtine has demonstrated pharmacological properties consistent with use as an anticonvulsant, a neuroprotectant, skeletal and smooth muscle relaxant, in treatment of auditory and visual disorders, and treatment of memory and cognitive impairment. Flupirtine is providing important information and clues regarding novel mechanistic approaches to the treatment of a range of clinical conditions involving hyper-excitability of cells. Identification of molecules exhibiting specificity for the pharmacological targets (e.g., Kv7 isoforms) involved in the actions of flupirtine will provide further insight into clinical applications. Whether the broad-spectrum pharmacology of flupirtine or target-specific actions is preferential to gain benefit, especially in complex clinical conditions, requires further investigation. This review will consider recent advancement in understanding of the pharmacological profile and related clinical applications of flupirtine.

Kv7 channels are upregulated during striatal neuron development and promote maturation of human iPSC-derived neurons

Kv7 channels determine the resting membrane potential of neurons and regulate their excitability. Even though dysfunction of Kv7 channels has been linked to several debilitating childhood neuronal disorders, the ontogeny of the constituent genes, which encode Kv7 channels (KNCQ), and expression of their subunits have been largely unexplored. Here, we show that developmentally regulated expression of specific KCNQ mRNA and Kv7 channel subunits in mouse and human striatum is crucial to the functional maturation of mouse striatal neurons and human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. This demonstrates their pivotal role in normal development and maturation, the knowledge of which can now be harnessed to synchronise and accelerate neuronal differentiation of stem cell-derived neurons, enhancing their utility for disease modelling and drug discovery.

T2N as a new tool for robust electrophysiological modeling demonstrated for mature and adult-born dentate granule cells

Compartmental models are the theoretical tool of choice for understanding single neuron computations. However, many models are incomplete, built ad hoc and require tuning for each novel condition rendering them of limited usability. Here, we present T2N, a powerful interface to control NEURON with Matlab and TREES toolbox, which supports generating models stable over a broad range of reconstructed and synthetic morphologies. We illustrate this for a novel, highly detailed active model of dentate granule cells (GCs) replicating a wide palette of experiments from various labs. By implementing known differences in ion channel composition and morphology, our model reproduces data from mouse or rat, mature or adult-born GCs as well as pharmacological interventions and epileptic conditions. This work sets a new benchmark for detailed compartmental modeling. T2N is suitable for creating robust models useful for large-scale networks that could lead to novel predictions. We discuss possible T2N application in degeneracy studies.

Early Correlated Network Activity in the Hippocampus: Its Putative Role in Shaping Neuronal Circuits

Synchronized neuronal activity occurring at different developmental stages in various brain structures represents a hallmark of developmental circuits. This activity, which differs in its specific patterns among animal species may play a crucial role in de novo formation and in shaping neuronal networks. In the rodent hippocampus in vitro, the so-called giant depolarizing potentials (GDPs) constitute a primordial form of neuronal synchrony preceding more organized forms of activity such as oscillations in the theta and gamma frequency range. GDPs are generated at the network level by the interaction of the neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA which, immediately after birth, exert both a depolarizing and excitatory action on their targets. GDPs are triggered by GABAergic interneurons, which in virtue of their extensive axonal branching operate as functional hubs to synchronize large ensembles of cells. Intrinsic bursting activity, driven by a persistent sodium conductance and facilitated by the low expression of Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 channel subunits, responsible for I_M, exerts a permissive role in GDP generation. Here, we discuss how GDPs are generated in a probabilistic way when neuronal excitability within a local circuit reaches a certain threshold and how GDP-associated calcium transients act as coincident detectors for enhancing synaptic strength at emerging GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses. We discuss the possible in vivo correlate of this activity. Finally, we debate recent data showing how, in several animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders including autism, a GDPs dysfunction is associated to morphological alterations of neuronal circuits and behavioral deficits reminiscent of those observed in patients.

Mixed-mode oscillations in pyramidal neurons under antiepileptic drug conditions

Subthreshold oscillations in combination with large-amplitude oscillations generate mixed-mode oscillations (MMOs), which mediate various spatial and temporal cognition and memory processes and behavioral motor tasks. Although many studies have shown that canard theory is a reliable method to investigate the properties underlying the MMOs phenomena, the relationship between the results obtained by applying canard theory and conductance-based models of neurons and their electrophysiological mechanisms are still not well understood. The goal of this study was to apply canard theory to the conductance-based model of pyramidal neurons in layer V of the Entorhinal Cortex to investigate the properties of MMOs under antiepileptic drug conditions (i.e., when persistent sodium current is inhibited). We investigated not only the mathematical properties of MMOs in these neurons, but also the electrophysiological mechanisms that shape spike clustering. Our results show that pyramidal neurons can display two types of MMOs and the magnitude of the slow potassium current determines whether MMOs of type I or type II would emerge. Our results also indicate that slow potassium currents with large time constant have significant impact on generating the MMOs, as opposed to fast inward currents. Our results provide complete characterization of the subthreshold activities in MMOs in pyramidal neurons and provide explanation to experimental studies that showed MMOs of type I or type II in pyramidal neurons under antiepileptic drug conditions.

Anticonvulsant effect of flupirtine in an animal model of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

Research studies suggest that neonatal seizures, which are most commonly associated with hypoxic-ischemic injury, may contribute to brain injury and adverse neurologic outcome. Unfortunately, neonatal seizures are often resistant to treatment with current anticonvulsants. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of flupirtine, administered at clinically relevant time-points, for the treatment of neonatal seizures in an animal model of hypoxic-ischemic injury that closely replicates features of the human syndrome. We also compared the efficacy of flupirtine to that of phenobarbital, the current first-line drug for neonatal seizures. Flupirtine is a KCNQ potassium channel opener. KCNQ channels play an important role in controlling brain excitability during early development. In this study, hypoxic-ischemic injury was induced in neonatal rats, and synchronized video-EEG records were acquired at various time-points during the experiment to identify seizures. The results revealed that flupirtine, administered either 5 min after the first electroclinical seizure, or following completion of 2 h of hypoxia, i.e., during the immediate reperfusion period, reduced the number of rats with electroclinical seizures, and also the frequency and total duration of electroclinical seizures. Further, daily dosing of flupirtine decreased the seizure burden over 3 days following HI-induction, and modified the natural evolution of acute seizures. Moreover, compared to a therapeutic dose of phenobarbital, which was modestly effective against electroclinical seizures, flupirtine showed greater efficacy. Our results indicate that flupirtine is an extremely effective treatment for neonatal seizures in rats and provide evidence for a trial of this medication in newborn humans.

Premature changes in neuronal excitability account for hippocampal network impairment and autistic-like behavior in neonatal BTBR T+tf/J mice

Coherent network oscillations (GDPs), generated in the immature hippocampus by the synergistic action of GABA and glutamate, both depolarizing and excitatory, play a key role in the construction of neuronal circuits. In particular, GDPs-associated calcium transients act as coincident detectors for enhancing synaptic efficacy at emerging GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses. Here, we show that, immediately after birth, in the CA3 hippocampal region of the BTBR T+tf/J mouse, an animal model of idiopathic autism, GDPs are severely impaired. This effect was associated with an increased GABAergic neurotransmission and a reduced neuronal excitability. In spite its depolarizing action on CA3 pyramidal cells (in single channel experiments E_GABA was positive to E_m), GABA exerted at the network level an inhibitory effect as demonstrated by isoguvacine-induced reduction of neuronal firing. We implemented a computational model in which experimental findings could be interpreted as the result of two competing effects: a reduction of the intrinsic excitability of CA3 principal cells and a reduction of the shunting activity in GABAergic interneurons projecting to principal cells. It is therefore likely that premature changes in neuronal excitability within selective hippocampal circuits of BTBR mice lead to GDPs dysfunction and behavioral deficits reminiscent of those found in autistic patients.

Treatment during a vulnerable developmental period rescues a genetic epilepsy

The nervous system is vulnerable to perturbations during specific developmental periods. Insults during such susceptible time windows can have long-term consequences, including the development of neurological diseases such as epilepsy. Here we report that a pharmacological intervention timed during a vulnerable neonatal period of cortical development prevents pathology in a genetic epilepsy model. By using mice with dysfunctional Kv7 voltage-gated K(+) channels, which are mutated in human neonatal epilepsy syndromes, we demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter NKCC1 antagonist bumetanide, which was administered during the first two postnatal weeks. In Kv7 current-deficient mice, which normally display epilepsy, hyperactivity and stereotypies as adults, transient bumetanide treatment normalized neonatal in vivo cortical network and hippocampal neuronal activity, prevented structural damage in the hippocampus and restored wild-type adult behavioral phenotypes. Furthermore, bumetanide treatment did not adversely affect control mice. These results suggest that in individuals with disease susceptibility, timing prophylactically safe interventions to specific windows during development may prevent or arrest disease progression.

M-type potassium conductance controls the emergence of neural phase codes: a combined experimental and neuron modelling study

Rate and phase codes are believed to be important in neural information processing. Hippocampal place cells provide a good example where both coding schemes coexist during spatial information processing. Spike rate increases in the place field, whereas spike phase precesses relative to the ongoing theta oscillation. However, what intrinsic mechanism allows for a single neuron to generate spike output patterns that contain both neural codes is unknown. Using dynamic clamp, we simulate an in vivo-like subthreshold dynamics of place cells to in vitro CA1 pyramidal neurons to establish an in vitro model of spike phase precession. Using this in vitro model, we show that membrane potential oscillation (MPO) dynamics is important in the emergence of spike phase codes: blocking the slowly activating, non-inactivating K+ current (IM), which is known to control subthreshold MPO, disrupts MPO and abolishes spike phase precession. We verify the importance of adaptive IM in the generation of phase codes using both an adaptive integrate-and-fire and a Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) neuron model. Especially, using the HH model, we further show that it is the perisomatically located IM with slow activation kinetics that is crucial for the generation of phase codes. These results suggest an important functional role of IM in single neuron computation, where IM serves as an intrinsic mechanism allowing for dual rate and phase coding in single neurons.

A recurrent KCNQ2 pore mutation causing early onset epileptic encephalopathy has a moderate effect on M current but alters subcellular localization of Kv7 channels

Mutations in the KCNQ2 gene encoding the voltage-dependent potassium M channel Kv7.2 subunit cause either benign epilepsy or early onset epileptic encephalopathy (EOEE). It has been proposed that the disease severity rests on the inhibitory impact of mutations on M current density. Here, we have analyzed the phenotype of 7 patients carrying the p.A294V mutation located on the S6 segment of the Kv7.2 pore domain (Kv7.2(A294V)). We investigated the functional and subcellular consequences of this mutation and compared it to another mutation (Kv7.2(A294G)) associated with a benign epilepsy and affecting the same residue. We report that all the patients carrying the p.A294V mutation presented the clinical and EEG characteristics of EOEE. In CHO cells, the total expression of Kv7.2(A294V) alone, assessed by western blotting, was only 20% compared to wild-type. No measurable current was recorded in CHO cells expressing Kv7.2(A294V) channel alone. Although the total Kv7.2(A294V) expression was rescued to wild-type levels in cells co-expressing the Kv7.3 subunit, the global current density was still reduced by 83% compared to wild-type heteromeric channel. In a configuration mimicking the patients' heterozygous genotype i.e., Kv7.2(A294V)/Kv7.2/Kv7.3, the global current density was reduced by 30%. In contrast to Kv7.2(A294V), the current density of homomeric Kv7.2(A294G) was not significantly changed compared to wild-type Kv7.2. However, the current density of Kv7.2(A294G)/Kv7.2/Kv7.3 and Kv7.2(A294G)/Kv7.3 channels were reduced by 30% and 50% respectively, compared to wild-type Kv7.2/Kv7.3. In neurons, the p.A294V mutation induced a mislocalization of heteromeric mutant channels to the somato-dendritic compartment, while the p.A294G mutation did not affect the localization of the heteromeric channels to the axon initial segment. We conclude that this position is a hotspot of mutation that can give rise to a severe or a benign epilepsy. The p.A294V mutation does not exert a dominant-negative effect on wild-type subunits but alters the preferential axonal targeting of heteromeric Kv7 channels. Our data suggest that the disease severity is not necessarily a consequence of a strong inhibition of M current and that additional mechanisms such as abnormal subcellular distribution of Kv7 channels could be determinant.

Update on the implication of potassium channels in autism: K(+) channelautism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by impaired ability to properly implement environmental stimuli that are essential to achieve a state of social and cultural exchange. Indeed, the main features of ASD are impairments of interpersonal relationships, verbal and non-verbal communication and restricted and repetitive behaviors. These aspects are often accompanied by several comorbidities such as motor delay, praxis impairment, gait abnormalities, insomnia, and above all epilepsy. Genetic analyses of autistic individuals uncovered deleterious mutations in several K⁺ channel types strengthening the notion that their intrinsic dysfunction may play a central etiologic role in ASD. However, indirect implication of K⁺ channels in ASD has been also reported. For instance, loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) results in K⁺ channels deregulation, network dysfunction and ASD-like cognitive and behavioral symptoms. This review provides an update on direct and indirect implications of K⁺ channels in ASDs. Owing to a mounting body of evidence associating a channelopathy pathogenesis to autism and showing that nearly 500 ion channel proteins are encoded by the human genome, we propose to classify ASDs - whose susceptibility is significantly enhanced by ion channels defects, either in a monogenic or multigenic condition - in a new category named “channelAutismSpectrumDisorder” (channelASD; cASD) and introduce a new taxonomy (e.g., K_vx.y-channelASD and likewise Na_vx.y-channelASD, Ca_vx.y-channelASD; etc.). This review also highlights some degree of clinical and genetic overlap between K⁺ channelASDs and K⁺ channelepsies, whereby such correlation suggests that a subcategory characterized by a channelASD-channelepsy phenotype may be distinguished. Ultimately, this overview aims to further understand the different clinical subgroups and help parse out the distinct biological basis of autism that are essential to establish patient-tailored treatments.

KATP channels modulate intrinsic firing activity of immature entorhinal cortex layer III neurons

Medial temporal lobe structures are essential for memory formation which is associated with coherent network oscillations. During ontogenesis, these highly organized patterns develop from distinct, less synchronized forms of network activity. This maturation process goes along with marked changes in intrinsic firing patterns of individual neurons. One critical factor determining neuronal excitability is activity of ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels (K_ATP channels) which coupled electrical activity to metabolic state. Here, we examined the role of K_ATP channels for intrinsic firing patterns and emerging network activity in the immature medial entorhinal cortex (mEC) of rats. Western blot analysis of Kir6.2 (a subunit of the K_ATP channel) confirmed expression of this protein in the immature entorhinal cortex. Neuronal activity was monitored by field potential (fp) and whole-cell recordings from layer III (LIII) of the mEC in horizontal brain slices obtained at postnatal day (P) 6–13. Spontaneous fp-bursts were suppressed by the K_ATP channel opener diazoxide and prolonged after blockade of K_ATP channels by glibenclamide. Immature mEC LIII principal neurons displayed two dominant intrinsic firing patterns, prolonged bursts or regular firing activity, respectively. Burst discharges were suppressed by the K_ATP channel openers diazoxide and NN414, and enhanced by the K_ATP channel blockers tolbutamide and glibenclamide. Activity of regularly firing neurons was modulated in a frequency-dependent manner: the diazoxide-mediated reduction of firing correlated negatively with basal frequency, while the tolbutamide-mediated increase of firing showed a positive correlation. These data are in line with an activity-dependent regulation of K_ATP channel activity. Together, K_ATP channels exert powerful modulation of intrinsic firing patterns and network activity in the immature mEC.

The GABA excitatory/inhibitory developmental sequence: a personal journey

The developing brain is talkative but its language is not that of the adult. Most if not all voltage and transmitter-gated ionic currents follow a developmental sequence and network-driven patterns differ in immature and adult brains. This is best illustrated in studies engaged almost three decades ago in which we observed elevated intracellular chloride (Cl(-))i levels and excitatory GABA early during development and a perinatal excitatory/inhibitory shift. This sequence is observed in a wide range of brain structures and animal species suggesting that it has been conserved throughout evolution. It is mediated primarily by a developmentally regulated expression of the NKCC1 and KCC2 chloride importer and exporter respectively. The GABAergic depolarization acts in synergy with N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated and voltage-gated calcium currents to enhance intracellular calcium exerting trophic effects on neuritic growth, migration and synapse formation. These sequences can be deviated in utero by genetic or environmental insults leading to a persistence of immature features in the adult brain. This "neuroarcheology" concept paves the way to novel therapeutic perspectives based on the use of drugs that block immature but not adult currents. This is illustrated notably with the return to immature high levels of chloride and excitatory actions of GABA observed in many pathological conditions. This is due to the fact that in the immature brain a down regulation of KCC2 and an up regulation of NKCC1 are seen. Here, I present a personal history of how an unexpected observation led to novel concepts in developmental neurobiology and putative treatments of autism and other developmental disorders. Being a personal account, this review is neither exhaustive nor provides an update of this topic with all the studies that have contributed to this evolution. We all rely on previous inventors to allow science to advance. Here, I present a personal summary of this topic primarily to illustrate why we often fail to comprehend the implications of our own observations. They remind us - and policy deciders - why Science cannot be programed, requiring time, and risky investigations that raise interesting questions before being translated from bench to bed. Discoveries are always on sideways, never on highways.

Heteromeric Kv7.2/7.3 channels differentially regulate action potential initiation and conduction in neocortical myelinated axons

Rapid energy-efficient signaling along vertebrate axons is achieved through intricate subcellular arrangements of voltage-gated ion channels and myelination. One recently appreciated example is the tight colocalization of K(v)7 potassium channels and voltage-gated sodium (Na(v)) channels in the axonal initial segment and nodes of Ranvier. The local biophysical properties of these K(v)7 channels and the functional impact of colocalization with Na(v) channels remain poorly understood. Here, we quantitatively examined K(v)7 channels in myelinated axons of rat neocortical pyramidal neurons using high-resolution confocal imaging and patch-clamp recording. K(v)7.2 and 7.3 immunoreactivity steeply increased within the distal two-thirds of the axon initial segment and was mirrored by the conductance density estimates, which increased from ~12 (proximal) to 150 pS μm(-2) (distal). The axonal initial segment and nodal M-currents were similar in voltage dependence and kinetics, carried by K(v)7.2/7.3 heterotetramers, 4% activated at the resting membrane potential and rapidly activated with single-exponential time constants (~15 ms at 28 mV). Experiments and computational modeling showed that while somatodendritic K(v)7 channels are strongly activated by the backpropagating action potential to attenuate the afterdepolarization and repetitive firing, axonal K(v)7 channels are minimally recruited by the forward-propagating action potential. Instead, in nodal domains K(v)7.2/7.3 channels were found to increase Na(v) channel availability and action potential amplitude by stabilizing the resting membrane potential. Thus, K(v)7 clustering near axonal Na(v) channels serves specific and context-dependent roles, both restraining initiation and enhancing conduction of the action potential.

GABAergic signaling as therapeutic target for autism spectrum disorders

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain, early in postnatal life exerts a depolarizing and excitatory action. This depends on accumulation of chloride inside the cell via the cation-chloride importer NKCC1, being the expression of the chloride exporter KCC2 very low at birth. The developmentally regulated expression of KCC2 results in extrusion of chloride with age and a shift of GABA from the depolarizing to the hyperpolarizing direction. The depolarizing action of GABA leads to intracellular calcium rise through voltage-dependent calcium channels and/or N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. GABA-mediated calcium signals regulate a variety of developmental processes from cell proliferation migration, differentiation, synapse maturation, and neuronal wiring. Therefore, it is not surprising that some forms of neuro-developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are associated with alterations of GABAergic signaling and impairment of the excitatory/inhibitory balance in selective neuronal circuits. In this review, we will discuss how changes of GABAA-mediated neurotransmission affect several forms of ASDs including the Fragile X, the Angelman, and Rett syndromes. Then, we will describe various animal models of ASDs with GABAergic dysfunctions, highlighting their behavioral deficits and the possibility to rescue them by targeting selective components of the GABAergic synapse. In particular, we will discuss how in some cases, reverting the polarity of GABA responses from the depolarizing to the hyperpolarizing direction with the diuretic bumetanide, a selective blocker of NKCC1, may have beneficial effects on ASDs, thus opening new therapeutic perspectives for the treatment of these devastating disorders.

Functional role of ambient GABA in refining neuronal circuits early in postnatal development

Early in development, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mature brain, depolarizes and excites targeted neurons by an outwardly directed flux of chloride, resulting from the peculiar balance between the cation-chloride importer NKCC1 and the extruder KCC2. The low expression of KCC2 at birth leads to accumulation of chloride inside the cell and to the equilibrium potential for chloride positive respect to the resting membrane potential. GABA exerts its action via synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors mediating phasic and tonic inhibition, respectively. Here, recent data on the contribution of "ambient" GABA to the refinement of neuronal circuits in the immature brain have been reviewed. In particular, we focus on the hippocampus, where, prior to the formation of conventional synapses, GABA released from growth cones and astrocytes in a calcium- and SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive-factor attachment protein receptor)-independent way, diffuses away to activate in a paracrine fashion extrasynaptic receptors localized on distal neurons. The transient increase in intracellular calcium following the depolarizing action of GABA leads to inhibition of DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Tonic GABA exerts also a chemotropic action on cell migration. Later on, when synapses are formed, GABA spilled out from neighboring synapses, acting mainly on extrasynaptic α5, β2, β3, and γ containing GABAA receptor subunits, provides the membrane depolarization necessary for principal cells to reach the window where intrinsic bursts are generated. These are instrumental in triggering calcium transients associated with network-driven giant depolarizing potentials which act as coincident detector signals to enhance synaptic efficacy at emerging GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses.

Developmental regulation of GABAergic signalling in the hippocampus of neuroligin 3 R451C knock-in mice: an animal model of Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) comprise an heterogeneous group of neuro-developmental abnormalities, mainly of genetic origin, characterized by impaired social interactions, communications deficits, and stereotyped behaviors. In a small percentage of cases, ASDs have been found to be associated with single mutations in genes involved in synaptic function. One of these involves the postsynaptic cell adhesion molecule neuroligin (NL) 3. NLs interact with presynaptic neurexins (Nrxs) to ensure a correct cross talk between post and presynaptic specializations. Here, transgenic mice carrying the human R451C mutation of Nlgn3, were used to study GABAergic signaling in the hippocampus early in postnatal life. Whole cell recordings from CA3 pyramidal neurons in slices from NL3^R451C knock-in mice revealed an enhanced frequency of Giant Depolarizing Potentials (GDPs), as compared to controls. This effect was probably dependent on an increased GABAergic drive to principal cells as demonstrated by the enhanced frequency of miniature GABA_A-mediated (GPSCs), but not AMPA-mediated postsynaptic currents (EPSCs). Changes in frequency of mGPSCs were associated with an acceleration of their decay kinetics, in the absence of any change in unitary synaptic conductance or in the number of GABA_A receptor channels, as assessed by peak scaled non-stationary fluctuation analysis. The enhanced GABAergic but not glutamatergic transmission early in postnatal life may change the excitatory/inhibitory balance known to play a key role in the construction and refinement of neuronal circuits during postnatal development. This may lead to behavioral deficits reminiscent of those observed in ASDs patients.

Fluoxetine impairs GABAergic signaling in hippocampal slices from neonatal rats

Fluoxetine (Prozac), an antidepressant known to selectively inhibit serotonin reuptake, is widely used to treat mood disorders in women suffering from depression during pregnancy and postpartum period. Several lines of evidence suggest that this drug, which crosses the human placenta and is secreted into milk during lactation, exerts its action not only by interfering with serotoninergic but also with GABAergic transmission. GABA is known to play a crucial role in the construction of neuronal circuits early in postnatal development. The immature hippocampus is characterized by an early type of network activity, the so-called Giant Depolarizing Potentials (GDPs), generated by the synergistic action of glutamate and GABA, both depolarizing and excitatory. Here we tested the hypothesis that fluoxetine may interfere with GABAergic signaling during the first postnatal week, thus producing harmful effects on brain development. At micromolar concentrations fluoxetine severely depressed GDPs frequency (IC50 22 μM) in a reversible manner and independently of its action on serotonin reuptake. This effect was dependent on a reduced GABAergic (but not glutamatergic) drive to principal cells most probably from parvalbumin-positive fast spiking neurons. Cholecystokinin-positive GABAergic interneurons were not involved since the effects of the drug persisted when cannabinoid receptors were occluded with WIN55,212-2, a CB1/CB2 receptor agonist. Fluoxetine effects on GABAergic transmission were associated with a reduced firing rate of both principal cells and interneurons further suggesting that changes in network excitability account for GDPs disruption. This may have critical consequences on the functional organization and stabilization of neuronal circuits early in postnatal development.

The relationship between two fast/slow analysis techniques for bursting oscillations

Bursting oscillations in excitable systems reflect multi-timescale dynamics. These oscillations have often been studied in mathematical models by splitting the equations into fast and slow subsystems. Typically, one treats the slow variables as parameters of the fast subsystem and studies the bifurcation structure of this subsystem. This has key features such as a z-curve (stationary branch) and a Hopf bifurcation that gives rise to a branch of periodic spiking solutions. In models of bursting in pituitary cells, we have recently used a different approach that focuses on the dynamics of the slow subsystem. Characteristic features of this approach are folded node singularities and a critical manifold. In this article, we investigate the relationships between the key structures of the two analysis techniques. We find that the z-curve and Hopf bifurcation of the two-fast/one-slow decomposition are closely related to the voltage nullcline and folded node singularity of the one-fast/two-slow decomposition, respectively. They become identical in the double singular limit in which voltage is infinitely fast and calcium is infinitely slow.

M-type potassium channels modulate Schaffer collateral-CA1 glutamatergic synaptic transmission

Previous studies have suggested that muscarinic receptor activation modulates glutamatergic transmission. M-type potassium channels mediate the effects of muscarinic activation in the hippocampus, and it has been proposed that they modulate glutamatergic synaptic transmission. We tested whether M1 muscarinic receptor activation enhances glutamatergic synaptic transmission via the inhibition of the M-type potassium channels that are present in Schaffer collateral axons and terminals. Miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) were recorded from CA1 pyramidal neurons. The M1 receptor agonist, NcN-A-343, increased the frequency of mEPSCs, but did not alter their amplitude. The M-channel blocker XE991 and its analogue linopirdine also increased the frequency of mEPSCs. Flupirtine, which opens M-channels, had the opposite effect. XE991 did not enhance mEPSCs frequency in a calcium-free external medium. Blocking P/Q- and N-type calcium channels abolished the effect of XE991 on mEPSCs. These data suggested that the inhibition of M-channels increases presynaptic calcium-dependent glutamate release in CA1 pyramidal neurons. The effects of these agents on the membrane potentials of presynaptic CA3 pyramidal neurons were studied using current clamp recordings; activation of M1 receptors and blocking M-channels depolarized neurons and increased burst firing. The input resistance of CA3 neurons was increased by the application of McN-A-343 and XE991; these effects were consistent with the closure of M-channels. Muscarinic activation inhibits M-channels in CA3 pyramidal neurons and its efferents – Schaffer collateral, which causes the depolarization, activates voltage-gated calcium channels, and ultimately elevates the intracellular calcium concentration to increase the release of glutamate on CA1 pyramidal neurons.

The GABA excitatory/inhibitory shift in brain maturation and neurological disorders

Ionic currents and the network-driven patterns they generate differ in immature and adult neurons: The developing brain is not a "small adult brain." One of the most investigated examples is the developmentally regulated shift of actions of the transmitter GABA that inhibit adult neurons but excite immature ones because of an initially higher intracellular chloride concentration [Cl(-)](i), leading to depolarizing and often excitatory actions of GABA instead of hyperpolarizing and inhibitory actions. The levels of [Cl(-)](i) are also highly labile, being readily altered transiently or persistently by enhanced episodes of activity in relation to synaptic plasticity or a variety of pathological conditions, including seizures and brain insults. Among the plethora of channels, transporters, and other devices involved in controlling [Cl(-)](i), two have emerged as playing a particularly important role: the chloride importer NKCC1 and the chloride exporter KCC2. Here, the authors stress the importance of determining how [Cl(-)](i) is dynamically regulated and how this affects brain operation in health and disease. In a clinical perspective, agents that control [Cl(-)](i) and reinstate inhibitory actions of GABA open novel therapeutic perspectives in many neurological disorders, including infantile epilepsies, autism spectrum disorders, and other developmental disorders.

The dynamics underlying pseudo-plateau bursting in a pituitary cell model

Pituitary cells of the anterior pituitary gland secrete hormones in response to patterns of electrical activity. Several types of pituitary cells produce short bursts of electrical activity which are more effective than single spikes in evoking hormone release. These bursts, called pseudo-plateau bursts, are unlike bursts studied mathematically in neurons (plateau bursting) and the standard fast-slow analysis used for plateau bursting is of limited use. Using an alternative fast-slow analysis, with one fast and two slow variables, we show that pseudo-plateau bursting is a canard-induced mixed mode oscillation. Using this technique, it is possible to determine the region of parameter space where bursting occurs as well as salient properties of the burst such as the number of spikes in the burst. The information gained from this one-fast/two-slow decomposition complements the information obtained from a two-fast/one-slow decomposition.

Driving With No Brakes: Molecular Pathophysiology of Kv7 Potassium Channels

Kv7 potassium channels regulate excitability in neuronal, sensory, and muscular cells. Here, we describe their molecular architecture, physiological roles, and involvement in genetically determined channelopathies highlighting their relevance as targets for pharmacological treatment of several human disorders.

Protective effect of the KCNQ activator flupirtine on a model of repetitive febrile seizures

Activation of KCNQ-channels has been shown to decrease or reduce the propagation of neuronal excitation in the immature central nervous system, and KCNQ activators represent a new class of anticonvulsant compounds. Their effectiveness has been demonstrated in many seizure models but not in repetitive febrile seizures (RFS) models. This study aimed to test whether the KCNQ channel activator flupirtine is also effective for RFS in rats. RFS were induced in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at postnatal day 10 (P10) in a warm water bath for eight consecutive days with or without the pre-administration of flupirtine or phenobarbital. As results, both drugs significantly increased the latency and decreased the rate of febrile seizures. Furthermore, seizures in the flupirtine group had a significantly shorter duration and were less severe compared with the phenobarbital group. The flupirtine-treated group showed less impairment in learning and memory and less obvious pathological changes in the brain following RFS compared with the phenobarbital-treated group. In summary, flupirtine appears to be effective in RFS prophylaxis and may merit further study as a candidate for the treatment of RFS in infants and children.

Distribution of M-channel subunits KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 in rat hippocampus

Neuronal M-channels are low threshold, slowly activating and non-inactivating, voltage dependent K(+) channels that play a crucial role in controlling neuronal excitability. The native M-channel is composed of heteromeric or homomeric assemblies of subunits belonging to the Kv7/KCNQ family, with KCNQ2/3 heteromers being the most abundant form. KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 subunits have been found to be expressed in various neurons in the central and peripheral nervous system of rodents and humans. Previous evidence shows preferential localization of both subunits to axon initial segments, somata and nodes of Ranvier. In this work, we show the distribution and co-localization of KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 subunits throughout the hippocampal formation, via immunostaining experiments on unfixed rat brain slices and confocal microscopy. We find intense localization and colocalization to the axonal initial segment in several regions of the hippocampus, as well as staining for non-neuronal cells in the area of the lateral ventricle. We did not observe colocalization of KCNQ2 or KCNQ3 with the presynaptic protein, synaptophysin.

Neuronal potassium channel openers in the management of epilepsy: role and potential of retigabine

Despite the availability of over 20 antiepileptic drugs, about 30% of epileptic patients do not achieve seizure control. Thus, identification of additional molecules targeting novel molecular mechanisms is a primary effort in today's antiepileptic drug research. This paper reviews the pharmacological development of retigabine, an antiepileptic drug with a novel mechanism of action, namely the activation of voltage-gated potassium channels of the Kv7 subfamily. These channels, which act as widespread regulators of intrinsic neuronal excitability and of neurotransmitter-induced network excitability changes, are currently viewed among the most promising targets for anticonvulsant pharmacotherapy. In particular, the present work reviews the pathophysiological role of Kv7 channels in neuronal function, the molecular mechanisms involved in the Kv7 channel-opening action of retigabine, the activity of retigabine in preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies predictive of anticonvulsant activities, and the clinical status of development for this drug as an add-on treatment for pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Particular efforts are devoted to highlighting the potential advantages and disadvantages of retigabine when compared with currently available compounds, in order to provide a comprehensive assessment of its role in therapy for treatment-resistant epilepsies.

A unified model of CA1/3 pyramidal cells: an investigation into excitability

After-depolarisation is a hallmark of excitability in hippocampal pyramidal cells of CA1 and CA3 regions, because it constitutes the subthreshold relation between inward and outward ionic currents. This relationship determines the nominal response to stimuli and provides the necessary conditions for firing a spike or a burst of action potentials. Nevertheless, after-depolarisation is an inherently transient phenomenon that is not very well understood. We study after-depolarisation using a single-compartment pyramidal-cell model based on recent voltage- and current-clamp experimental data. We systematically investigate CA1 and CA3 behaviour and show that changes to maximal conductances of T-type Ca(2+)-current and muscarinic-sensitive and delayed rectifier K(+)-currents are sufficient to switch the behaviour of the model from a CA3 to a CA1 neuron. We use model analysis to define after-depolarisation and bursting threshold. We also explain the influence of particular ionic currents on this phenomenon. This study ends with a sensitivity analysis that demonstrates the influence of specific currents on excitability. Counter-intuitively, we find that a decrease of Na(+)-current could cause an increase in excitability. Our analysis suggests that a change of high-voltage activated Ca(2+)-current can have a similar effect.

The specific slow afterhyperpolarization inhibitor UCL2077 is a subtype-selective blocker of the epilepsy associated KCNQ channels

Mutations in members of the KCNQ channel family underlie multiple diseases affecting the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Despite their clinical relevance, research into these channels is limited by the lack of subtype-selective inhibitors, making it difficult to differentiate the physiological function of each family member in vivo. We have proposed that KCNQ channels might partially underlie the calcium-activated slow afterhyperpolarization (sAHP), a neuronal conductance whose molecular components are uncertain. Here, we investigated whether 3-(triphenylmethylaminomethyl)pyridine (UCL2077), identified previously as an inhibitor of the sAHP in neurons, acts on members of the KCNQ family expressed in heterologous cells. We found that 3 μM UCL2077 strongly inhibits KCNQ1 and KCNQ2 channels and weakly blocks KCNQ4 channels in a voltage-independent manner. In contrast, UCL2077 potentiates KCNQ5 channels at more positive membrane potentials, with little effect at negative membrane potentials. We found that the effect of UCL2077 on KCNQ3 is bimodal: currents are enhanced at negative membrane potentials and inhibited at positive potentials. We found that UCL2077 facilitates KCNQ3 currents by inducing a leftward shift in the KCNQ3 voltage-dependence, a shift dependent on tryptophan 265. Finally, we show that UCL2077 has intermediate effects on KCNQ2/3 heteromeric channels compared with KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 homomers. Together, our data demonstrate that UCL2077 acts on KCNQ channels in a subtype-selective manner. This feature should make UCL2077 a useful tool for distinguishing KCNQ1 and KCNQ2 from less-sensitive KCNQ family members in neurons and cardiac cells in future studies.