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Kamiya H. Ectopic burst induced by blockade of axonal potassium channels on the mouse hippocampal mossy fiber. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1434165. [PMID: 39026687 PMCID: PMC11256220 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1434165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
A potassium channel blocker 4-AP has been shown to exert pronounced convulsive action to generate burst firings when applied to hippocampal slices. However, it remains unclear how the blockade of potassium channels leads to the generation of burst firings. One possibility is ectopic spiking from the sites different from those for physiological spike initiation at the axon initial segment, as suggested for several experimental models of epileptogenesis in vitro. To test for possible ectopic spiking at the distal axon by 4-AP application, direct recordings from large mossy fiber terminals were made with the loose-patch clamp technique in mouse hippocampal slices. To localize the action of 4-AP on the distal axon, focal perfusion, as well as micro-cut to disconnect soma and distal axons, were adopted. Focal application of 4-AP on the distal portion of mossy fibers reliably induced burst discharges of the mossy fiber terminals. Photochemical blockade of potassium channels at distal axons, by the application of RuBi-4-AP, a visible wavelength blue light-sensitive caged compound, and the illumination of blue light caused robust bursting activity originating from distal axons. Computer simulation suggested that local blockade of axonal potassium channels prolongs the duration of action potentials and thereby causes reverberating spiking activities at distal axons and subsequent antidromic propagation toward the soma. Taken together, it was suggested that local blockade of voltage-dependent potassium channels in distal axons by application of 4-AP is sufficient to cause a hyperexcitable state of hippocampal mossy fiber axons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruyuki Kamiya
- Department of Neurobiology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
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2
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Barlow BSM, Longtin A, Joós B. Impact on backpropagation of the spatial heterogeneity of sodium channel kinetics in the axon initial segment. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1011846. [PMID: 38489374 PMCID: PMC10942053 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In a variety of neurons, action potentials (APs) initiate at the proximal axon, within a region called the axon initial segment (AIS), which has a high density of voltage-gated sodium channels (NaVs) on its membrane. In pyramidal neurons, the proximal AIS has been reported to exhibit a higher proportion of NaVs with gating properties that are "right-shifted" to more depolarized voltages, compared to the distal AIS. Further, recent experiments have revealed that as neurons develop, the spatial distribution of NaV subtypes along the AIS can change substantially, suggesting that neurons tune their excitability by modifying said distribution. When neurons are stimulated axonally, computational modelling has shown that this spatial separation of gating properties in the AIS enhances the backpropagation of APs into the dendrites. In contrast, in the more natural scenario of somatic stimulation, our simulations show that the same distribution can impede backpropagation, suggesting that the choice of orthodromic versus antidromic stimulation can bias or even invert experimental findings regarding the role of NaV subtypes in the AIS. We implemented a range of hypothetical NaV distributions in the AIS of three multicompartmental pyramidal cell models and investigated the precise kinetic mechanisms underlying such effects, as the spatial distribution of NaV subtypes is varied. With axonal stimulation, proximal NaV availability dominates, such that concentrating right-shifted NaVs in the proximal AIS promotes backpropagation. However, with somatic stimulation, the models are insensitive to availability kinetics. Instead, the higher activation threshold of right-shifted NaVs in the AIS impedes backpropagation. Therefore, recently observed developmental changes to the spatial separation and relative proportions of NaV1.2 and NaV1.6 in the AIS differentially impact activation and availability. The observed effects on backpropagation, and potentially learning via its putative role in synaptic plasticity (e.g. through spike-timing-dependent plasticity), are opposite for orthodromic versus antidromic stimulation, which should inform hypotheses about the impact of the developmentally regulated subcellular localization of these NaV subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin S. M. Barlow
- Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, STEM Complex, 150 Louis-Pasteur Pvt, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - André Longtin
- Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, STEM Complex, 150 Louis-Pasteur Pvt, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Center for Neural Dynamics and AI, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Béla Joós
- Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, STEM Complex, 150 Louis-Pasteur Pvt, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Center for Neural Dynamics and AI, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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3
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Neural excitability increases with axonal resistance between soma and axon initial segment. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2102217118. [PMID: 34389672 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2102217118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The position of the axon initial segment (AIS) is thought to play a critical role in neuronal excitability. Previous experimental studies have found that a distal shift in AIS position correlates with a reduction in excitability. Yet theoretical work has suggested the opposite, because of increased electrical isolation. A distal shift in AIS position corresponds to an elevation of axial resistance R a We therefore examined how changes in R a at the axon hillock impact the voltage threshold (Vth) of the somatic action potential in L5 pyramidal neurons. Increasing R a by mechanically pinching the axon between the soma and the AIS was found to lower Vth by ∼6 mV. Conversely, decreasing R a by substituting internal ions with higher mobility elevated Vth All R a -dependent changes in Vth could be reproduced in a Hodgkin-Huxley compartmental model. We conclude that in L5 pyramidal neurons, excitability increases with axial resistance and therefore with a distal shift of the AIS.
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4
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Goethals S, Brette R. Theoretical relation between axon initial segment geometry and excitability. eLife 2020; 9:53432. [PMID: 32223890 PMCID: PMC7170651 DOI: 10.7554/elife.53432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In most vertebrate neurons, action potentials are triggered at the distal end of the axon initial segment (AIS). Both position and length of the AIS vary across and within neuron types, with activity, development and pathology. What is the impact of AIS geometry on excitability? Direct empirical assessment has proven difficult because of the many potential confounding factors. Here, we carried a principled theoretical analysis to answer this question. We provide a simple formula relating AIS geometry and sodium conductance density to the somatic voltage threshold. A distal shift of the AIS normally produces a (modest) increase in excitability, but we explain how this pattern can reverse if a hyperpolarizing current is present at the AIS, due to resistive coupling with the soma. This work provides a theoretical tool to assess the significance of structural AIS plasticity for electrical function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Goethals
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Romain Brette
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
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5
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Lefler Y, Amsalem O, Vrieler N, Segev I, Yarom Y. Using subthreshold events to characterize the functional architecture of the electrically coupled inferior olive network. eLife 2020; 9:43560. [PMID: 32043972 PMCID: PMC7012604 DOI: 10.7554/elife.43560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The electrical connectivity in the inferior olive (IO) nucleus plays an important role in generating well-timed spiking activity. Here we combined electrophysiological and computational approaches to assess the functional organization of the IO nucleus in mice. Spontaneous fast and slow subthreshold events were commonly encountered during in vitro recordings. We show that whereas the fast events represent intrinsic regenerative activity, the slow events reflect the electrical connectivity between neurons (‘spikelets’). Recordings from cell pairs revealed the synchronized occurrence of distinct groups of spikelets; their rate and distribution enabled an accurate estimation of the number of connected cells and is suggestive of a clustered organization. This study thus provides a new perspective on the functional and structural organization of the olivary nucleus and a novel experimental and theoretical approach to study electrically coupled networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaara Lefler
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Oren Amsalem
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nora Vrieler
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Idan Segev
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yosef Yarom
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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6
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Cepeda C, Levinson S, Nariai H, Yazon VW, Tran C, Barry J, Oikonomou KD, Vinters HV, Fallah A, Mathern GW, Wu JY. Pathological high frequency oscillations associate with increased GABA synaptic activity in pediatric epilepsy surgery patients. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 134:104618. [PMID: 31629890 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological high-frequency oscillations (HFOs), specifically fast ripples (FRs, >250 Hz), are pathognomonic of an active epileptogenic zone. However, the origin of FRs remains unknown. Here we explored the correlation between FRs recorded with intraoperative pre-resection electrocorticography (ECoG) and spontaneous synaptic activity recorded ex vivo from cortical tissue samples resected for the treatment of pharmacoresistant epilepsy. The cohort included 47 children (ages 0.22-9.99 yr) with focal cortical dysplasias (CD types I and II), tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and non-CD pathologies. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were obtained from pyramidal neurons and interneurons in cortical regions that were positive or negative for pathological HFOs, defined as FR band oscillations (250-500 Hz) at ECoG. The frequency of spontaneous excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs and IPSCs, respectively) was compared between HFO+ and HFO- regions. Regardless of pathological substrate, regions positive for FRs displayed significantly increased frequencies of sIPSCs compared with regions negative for FRs. In contrast, the frequency of sEPSCs was similar in both regions. In about one third of cases (n = 17), pacemaker GABA synaptic activity (PGA) was observed. In the vast majority (n = 15), PGA occurred in HFO+ areas. Further, fast-spiking interneurons displayed signs of hyperexcitability exclusively in HFO+ areas. These results indicate that, in pediatric epilepsy patients, increased GABA synaptic activity is associated with interictal FRs in the epileptogenic zone and suggest an active role of GABAergic interneurons in the generation of pathological HFOs. Increased GABA synaptic activity could serve to dampen excessive excitability of cortical pyramidal neurons in the epileptogenic zone, but it could also promote neuronal network synchrony.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cepeda
- IDDRC, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Simon Levinson
- IDDRC, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hiroki Nariai
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Mattel Children's Hospital, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vannah-Wila Yazon
- IDDRC, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Conny Tran
- IDDRC, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joshua Barry
- IDDRC, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Katerina D Oikonomou
- IDDRC, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Harry V Vinters
- Section of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aria Fallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gary W Mathern
- IDDRC, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joyce Y Wu
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Mattel Children's Hospital, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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7
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Michalikova M, Remme MW, Schmitz D, Schreiber S, Kempter R. Spikelets in pyramidal neurons: generating mechanisms, distinguishing properties, and functional implications. Rev Neurosci 2019; 31:101-119. [DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2019-0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Spikelets are small spike-like depolarizations that are found in somatic recordings of many neuron types. Spikelets have been assigned important functions, ranging from neuronal synchronization to the regulation of synaptic plasticity, which are specific to the particular mechanism of spikelet generation. As spikelets reflect spiking activity in neuronal compartments that are electrotonically distinct from the soma, four modes of spikelet generation can be envisaged: (1) dendritic spikes or (2) axonal action potentials occurring in a single cell as well as action potentials transmitted via (3) gap junctions or (4) ephaptic coupling in pairs of neurons. In one of the best studied neuron type, cortical pyramidal neurons, the origins and functions of spikelets are still unresolved; all four potential mechanisms have been proposed, but the experimental evidence remains ambiguous. Here we attempt to reconcile the scattered experimental findings in a coherent theoretical framework. We review in detail the various mechanisms that can give rise to spikelets. For each mechanism, we present the biophysical underpinnings as well as the resulting properties of spikelets and compare these predictions to experimental data from pyramidal neurons. We also discuss the functional implications of each mechanism. On the example of pyramidal neurons, we illustrate that several independent spikelet-generating mechanisms fulfilling vastly different functions might be operating in a single cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Michalikova
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Department of Biology , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , D-10115 Berlin , Germany
| | - Michiel W.H. Remme
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Department of Biology , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , D-10115 Berlin , Germany
| | - Dietmar Schmitz
- Neuroscience Research Center, Charite-University Medicine , D-10117 Berlin , Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin , D-10115 Berlin , Germany
- Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin , D-10117 Berlin , Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health , D-10178 Berlin , Germany
- Cluster of Excellence NeuroCure , D-10117 Berlin , Germany
| | - Susanne Schreiber
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Department of Biology , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , D-10115 Berlin , Germany
- Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin , D-10117 Berlin , Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin , Philippstr. 13, D-10115 Berlin , Germany
| | - Richard Kempter
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Department of Biology , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , D-10115 Berlin , Germany
- Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin , D-10117 Berlin , Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin , Philippstr. 13, D-10115 Berlin , Germany
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8
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Radecki DZ, Johnson EL, Brown AK, Meshkin NT, Perrine SA, Gow A. Corticohippocampal Dysfunction In The OBiden Mouse Model Of Primary Oligodendrogliopathy. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16116. [PMID: 30382234 PMCID: PMC6208344 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34414-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite concerted efforts over decades, the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains unclear. Autoimmunity, environmental-challenges, molecular mimicry and viral hypotheses have proven equivocal because early-stage disease is typically presymptomatic. Indeed, most animal models of MS also lack defined etiologies. We have developed a novel adult-onset oligodendrogliopathy using a delineated metabolic stress etiology in myelinating cells, and our central question is, “how much of the pathobiology of MS can be recapitulated in this model?” The analyses described herein demonstrate that innate immune activation, glial scarring, cortical and hippocampal damage with accompanying electrophysiological, behavioral and memory deficits naturally emerge from disease progression. Molecular analyses reveal neurofilament changes in normal-appearing gray matter that parallel those in cortical samples from MS patients with progressive disease. Finally, axon initial segments of deep layer pyramidal neurons are perturbed in entorhinal/frontal cortex and hippocampus from OBiden mice, and computational modeling provides insight into vulnerabilities of action potential generation during demyelination and early remyelination. We integrate these findings into a working model of corticohippocampal circuit dysfunction to predict how myelin damage might eventually lead to cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Z Radecki
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.,Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Johnson
- Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA.,Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Ashley K Brown
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Nicholas T Meshkin
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Shane A Perrine
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Alexander Gow
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA. .,Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA. .,Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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9
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Michalikova M, Remme MWH, Kempter R. Extracellular waveforms reveal an axonal origin of spikelets in pyramidal neurons. J Neurophysiol 2018; 120:1484-1495. [PMID: 29947587 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00463.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Spikelets are small spike-like membrane depolarizations measured at the soma whose origin in pyramidal neurons is still unresolved. We investigated the mechanism of spikelet generation using detailed models of pyramidal neurons. We simulated extracellular waveforms associated with action potentials and spikelets and compared these with experimental data obtained by Chorev and Brecht ( J Neurophysiol 108: 1584-1593, 2012) from hippocampal pyramidal neurons in vivo. We considered spikelets originating in the axon of a single cell as well as spikelets generated in two cells coupled with gap junctions. We found that in both cases the experimental data can be explained by an axonal origin of spikelets: in the single-cell case, action potentials are generated in the axon but fail to activate the soma. Such spikelets can be evoked by dendritic input. Alternatively, spikelets resulting from axoaxonal gap junction coupling with a large (greater than several hundred μm) distance between the somata of the coupled cells are also consistent with the data. Our results demonstrate that a cell firing a somatic spikelet generates a detectable extracellular potential that is different from the action potential-correlated extracellular waveform generated by the same cell and recorded at the same location. This, together with the absence of a refractory period between action potentials and spikelets, implies that spikelets and action potentials generated in one cell may easily get misclassified in extracellular recordings as two different cells, albeit they both constitute the output of a single pyramidal neuron. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We addressed the origin of spikelets, using compartmental models of pyramidal neurons. Comparing our simulation results with published extracellular spikelet recordings revealed an axonal origin of spikelets. Our results imply that action potential- and spikelet-associated extracellular waveforms may easily get misclassified as two different cells, albeit they both constitute the output of a single pyramidal cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Michalikova
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Department of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin , Germany
| | - Michiel W H Remme
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Department of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin , Germany
| | - Richard Kempter
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Department of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin , Germany.,Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin , Berlin , Germany.,Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin , Berlin , Germany
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10
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Coletta S, Zeraati R, Nasr K, Preston-Ferrer P, Burgalossi A. Interspike interval analysis and spikelets in presubicular head-direction cells. J Neurophysiol 2018; 120:564-575. [PMID: 29718804 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00019.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Head-direction (HD) neurons are thought to provide the mammalian brain with an internal sense of direction. These cells, which selectively increase their firing when the animal's head points in a specific direction, use the spike rate to encode HD with a high signal-to-noise ratio. In the present work, we analyzed spike train features of presubicular HD cells recorded juxtacellularly in passively rotated rats. We found that HD neurons could be classified into two groups on the basis of their propensity to fire spikes at short interspike intervals. "Bursty" neurons displayed distinct spike waveforms and were weakly but significantly more modulated by HD compared with "nonbursty" cells. In a subset of HD neurons, we observed the occurrence of spikelets, small-amplitude "spike-like" events, whose HD tuning was highly correlated to that of the co-recorded juxtacellular spikes. Bursty and nonbursty HD cells, as well as spikelets, were also observed in freely moving animals during natural behavior. We speculate that spike bursts and spikelets might contribute to presubicular HD coding by enhancing its accuracy and transmission reliability to downstream targets. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We provide evidence that presubicular head-direction (HD) cells can be classified into two classes (bursty and nonbursty) on the basis of their propensity to fire spikes at short interspike intervals. Bursty cells displayed distinct electrophysiological properties and stronger directional tuning compared with nonbursty neurons. We also provide evidence for the occurrence of spikelets in a subset of HD cells. These electrophysiological features (spike bursts and spikelets) might contribute to the precision and robustness of the presubicular HD code.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Coletta
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, International Max Planck Research School , Tübingen , Germany
| | - Roxana Zeraati
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, International Max Planck Research School , Tübingen , Germany
| | - Khaled Nasr
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience, International Max Planck Research School , Tübingen , Germany
| | | | - Andrea Burgalossi
- Werner-Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience , Tübingen , Germany
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11
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Pirschel F, Hilgen G, Kretzberg J. Effects of Touch Location and Intensity on Interneurons of the Leech Local Bend Network. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3046. [PMID: 29445203 PMCID: PMC5813025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21272-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Touch triggers highly precise behavioural responses in the leech. The underlying network of this so-called local bend reflex consists of three layers of individually characterised neurons. While the population of mechanosensory cells provide multiplexed information about the stimulus, not much is known about how interneurons process this information. Here, we analyse the responses of two local bend interneurons (cell 157 and 159) to a mechanical stimulation of the skin and show their response characteristics to naturalistic stimuli. Intracellular dye-fills combined with structural imaging revealed that these interneurons are synaptically coupled to all three types of mechanosensory cells (T, P, and N cells). Since tactile stimulation of the skin evokes spikes in one to two cells of each of the latter types, interneurons combine inputs from up to six mechanosensory cells. We find that properties of touch location and intensity can be estimated reliably and accurately based on the graded interneuron responses. Connections to several mechanosensory cell types and specific response characteristics of the interneuron types indicate specialised filter and integration properties within this small neuronal network, thus providing evidence for more complex signal processing than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederice Pirschel
- Computational Neuroscience, Department for Neuroscience, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany. .,Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Gerrit Hilgen
- Computational Neuroscience, Department for Neuroscience, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Jutta Kretzberg
- Computational Neuroscience, Department for Neuroscience, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4all", University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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12
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Athilingam JC, Ben-Shalom R, Keeshen CM, Sohal VS, Bender KJ. Serotonin enhances excitability and gamma frequency temporal integration in mouse prefrontal fast-spiking interneurons. eLife 2017; 6:31991. [PMID: 29206101 PMCID: PMC5746342 DOI: 10.7554/elife.31991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex plays a key role in higher order cognitive functions like decision making and social cognition. These complex behaviors emerge from the coordinated firing of prefrontal neurons. Fast-spiking interneurons (FSIs) control the timing of excitatory neuron firing via somatic inhibition and generate gamma (30–100 Hz) oscillations. Therefore, factors that regulate how FSIs respond to gamma-frequency input could affect both prefrontal circuit activity and behavior. Here, we show that serotonin (5HT), which is known to regulate gamma power, acts via 5HT2A receptors to suppress an inward-rectifying potassium conductance in FSIs. This leads to depolarization, increased input resistance, enhanced spiking, and slowed decay of excitatory post-synaptic potentials (EPSPs). Notably, we found that slowed EPSP decay preferentially enhanced temporal summation and firing elicited by gamma frequency inputs. These findings show how changes in passive membrane properties can affect not only neuronal excitability but also the temporal filtering of synaptic inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jegath C Athilingam
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States.,Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States.,Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States.,Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Roy Ben-Shalom
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States.,Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States.,Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Caroline M Keeshen
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States.,Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States.,Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Vikaas S Sohal
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States.,Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States.,Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Kevin J Bender
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States.,Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States.,Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
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