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Pali E, D’Angelo E, Prestori F. Understanding Cerebellar Input Stage through Computational and Plasticity Rules. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:403. [PMID: 38927283 PMCID: PMC11200477 DOI: 10.3390/biology13060403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
A central hypothesis concerning brain functioning is that plasticity regulates the signal transfer function by modifying the efficacy of synaptic transmission. In the cerebellum, the granular layer has been shown to control the gain of signals transmitted through the mossy fiber pathway. Until now, the impact of plasticity on incoming activity patterns has been analyzed by combining electrophysiological recordings in acute cerebellar slices and computational modeling, unraveling a broad spectrum of different forms of synaptic plasticity in the granular layer, often accompanied by forms of intrinsic excitability changes. Here, we attempt to provide a brief overview of the most prominent forms of plasticity at the excitatory synapses formed by mossy fibers onto primary neuronal components (granule cells, Golgi cells and unipolar brush cells) in the granular layer. Specifically, we highlight the current understanding of the mechanisms and their functional implications for synaptic and intrinsic plasticity, providing valuable insights into how inputs are processed and reconfigured at the cerebellar input stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Pali
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (E.P.)
| | - Egidio D’Angelo
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (E.P.)
- Digital Neuroscience Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesca Prestori
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (E.P.)
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Hariani HN, Algstam AB, Candler CT, Witteveen IF, Sidhu JK, Balmer TS. A system of feed-forward cerebellar circuits that extend and diversify sensory signaling. eLife 2024; 12:RP88321. [PMID: 38270517 PMCID: PMC10945699 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Sensory signals are processed by the cerebellum to coordinate movements. Numerous cerebellar functions are thought to require the maintenance of a sensory representation that extends beyond the input signal. Granule cells receive sensory input, but they do not prolong the signal and are thus unlikely to maintain a sensory representation for much longer than the inputs themselves. Unipolar brush cells (UBCs) are excitatory interneurons that project to granule cells and transform sensory input into prolonged increases or decreases in firing, depending on their ON or OFF UBC subtype. Further extension and diversification of the input signal could be produced by UBCs that project to one another, but whether this circuitry exists is unclear. Here we test whether UBCs innervate one another and explore how these small networks of UBCs could transform spiking patterns. We characterized two transgenic mouse lines electrophysiologically and immunohistochemically to confirm that they label ON and OFF UBC subtypes and crossed them together, revealing that ON and OFF UBCs innervate one another. A Brainbow reporter was used to label UBCs of the same ON or OFF subtype with different fluorescent proteins, which showed that UBCs innervate their own subtypes as well. Computational models predict that these feed-forward networks of UBCs extend the length of bursts or pauses and introduce delays-transformations that may be necessary for cerebellar functions from modulation of eye movements to adaptive learning across time scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harsh N Hariani
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Arizona State UniversityTempeUnited States
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State UniversityTempeUnited States
| | - A Brynn Algstam
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State UniversityTempeUnited States
- Barrett Honors College, Arizona State UniversityTempeUnited States
| | - Christian T Candler
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Arizona State UniversityTempeUnited States
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State UniversityTempeUnited States
| | | | - Jasmeen K Sidhu
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State UniversityTempeUnited States
| | - Timothy S Balmer
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State UniversityTempeUnited States
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3
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Masoli S, Rizza MF, Tognolina M, Prestori F, D’Angelo E. Computational models of neurotransmission at cerebellar synapses unveil the impact on network computation. Front Comput Neurosci 2022; 16:1006989. [PMID: 36387305 PMCID: PMC9649760 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2022.1006989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuroscientific field benefits from the conjoint evolution of experimental and computational techniques, allowing for the reconstruction and simulation of complex models of neurons and synapses. Chemical synapses are characterized by presynaptic vesicle cycling, neurotransmitter diffusion, and postsynaptic receptor activation, which eventually lead to postsynaptic currents and subsequent membrane potential changes. These mechanisms have been accurately modeled for different synapses and receptor types (AMPA, NMDA, and GABA) of the cerebellar cortical network, allowing simulation of their impact on computation. Of special relevance is short-term synaptic plasticity, which generates spatiotemporal filtering in local microcircuits and controls burst transmission and information flow through the network. Here, we present how data-driven computational models recapitulate the properties of neurotransmission at cerebellar synapses. The simulation of microcircuit models is starting to reveal how diverse synaptic mechanisms shape the spatiotemporal profiles of circuit activity and computation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Masoli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | - Francesca Prestori
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Francesca Prestori,
| | - Egidio D’Angelo
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Brain Connectivity Center, Pavia, Italy
- Egidio D’Angelo,
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Masoli S, Tognolina M, Laforenza U, Moccia F, D'Angelo E. Parameter tuning differentiates granule cell subtypes enriching transmission properties at the cerebellum input stage. Commun Biol 2020; 3:222. [PMID: 32385389 PMCID: PMC7210112 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0953-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebellar granule cells (GrCs) are classically described as a homogeneous neuronal population discharging regularly without adaptation. We show that GrCs in fact generate diverse response patterns to current injection and synaptic activation, ranging from adaptation to acceleration of firing. Adaptation was predicted by parameter optimization in detailed computational models based on available knowledge on GrC ionic channels. The models also predicted that acceleration required additional mechanisms. We found that yet unrecognized TRPM4 currents specifically accounted for firing acceleration and that adapting GrCs outperformed accelerating GrCs in transmitting high-frequency mossy fiber (MF) bursts over a background discharge. This implied that GrC subtypes identified by their electroresponsiveness corresponded to specific neurotransmitter release probability values. Simulations showed that fine-tuning of pre- and post-synaptic parameters generated effective MF-GrC transmission channels, which could enrich the processing of input spike patterns and enhance spatio-temporal recoding at the cerebellar input stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Masoli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Forlanini 6, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Tognolina
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Forlanini 6, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Umberto Laforenza
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Via Forlanini 6, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesco Moccia
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Via Forlanini 6, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Egidio D'Angelo
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Forlanini 6, 27100, Pavia, Italy. .,Brain Connectivity Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
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5
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An L, Tang Y, Wang D, Jia S, Pei Q, Wang Q, Yu Z, Liu JK. Intrinsic and Synaptic Properties Shaping Diverse Behaviors of Neural Dynamics. Front Comput Neurosci 2020; 14:26. [PMID: 32372936 PMCID: PMC7187274 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2020.00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of neurons in the neuronal system of the brain have a complex morphological structure, which diversifies the dynamics of neurons. In the granular layer of the cerebellum, there exists a unique cell type, the unipolar brush cell (UBC), that serves as an important relay cell for transferring information from outside mossy fibers to downstream granule cells. The distinguishing feature of the UBC is that it has a simple morphology, with only one short dendritic brush connected to its soma. Based on experimental evidence showing that UBCs exhibit a variety of dynamic behaviors, here we develop two simple models, one with a few detailed ion channels for simulation and the other one as a two-variable dynamical system for theoretical analysis, to characterize the intrinsic dynamics of UBCs. The reasonable values of the key channel parameters of the models can be determined by analysis of the stability of the resting membrane potential and the rebound firing properties of UBCs. Considered together with a large variety of synaptic dynamics installed on UBCs, we show that the simple-structured UBCs, as relay cells, can extend the range of dynamics and information from input mossy fibers to granule cells with low-frequency resonance and transfer stereotyped inputs to diverse amplitudes and phases of the output for downstream granule cells. These results suggest that neuronal computation, embedded within intrinsic ion channels and the diverse synaptic properties of single neurons without sophisticated morphology, can shape a large variety of dynamic behaviors to enhance the computational ability of local neuronal circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling An
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuanhong Tang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Doudou Wang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shanshan Jia
- National Engineering Laboratory for Video Technology, Department of Computer Science and Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qingqi Pei
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Quan Wang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhaofei Yu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Video Technology, Department of Computer Science and Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian K Liu
- Centre for Systems Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
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Casali S, Marenzi E, Medini C, Casellato C, D'Angelo E. Reconstruction and Simulation of a Scaffold Model of the Cerebellar Network. Front Neuroinform 2019; 13:37. [PMID: 31156416 PMCID: PMC6530631 DOI: 10.3389/fninf.2019.00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Reconstructing neuronal microcircuits through computational models is fundamental to simulate local neuronal dynamics. Here a scaffold model of the cerebellum has been developed in order to flexibly place neurons in space, connect them synaptically, and endow neurons and synapses with biologically-grounded mechanisms. The scaffold model can keep neuronal morphology separated from network connectivity, which can in turn be obtained from convergence/divergence ratios and axonal/dendritic field 3D geometries. We first tested the scaffold on the cerebellar microcircuit, which presents a challenging 3D organization, at the same time providing appropriate datasets to validate emerging network behaviors. The scaffold was designed to integrate the cerebellar cortex with deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN), including different neuronal types: Golgi cells, granule cells, Purkinje cells, stellate cells, basket cells, and DCN principal cells. Mossy fiber inputs were conveyed through the glomeruli. An anisotropic volume (0.077 mm3) of mouse cerebellum was reconstructed, in which point-neuron models were tuned toward the specific discharge properties of neurons and were connected by exponentially decaying excitatory and inhibitory synapses. Simulations using both pyNEST and pyNEURON showed the emergence of organized spatio-temporal patterns of neuronal activity similar to those revealed experimentally in response to background noise and burst stimulation of mossy fiber bundles. Different configurations of granular and molecular layer connectivity consistently modified neuronal activation patterns, revealing the importance of structural constraints for cerebellar network functioning. The scaffold provided thus an effective workflow accounting for the complex architecture of the cerebellar network. In principle, the scaffold can incorporate cellular mechanisms at multiple levels of detail and be tuned to test different structural and functional hypotheses. A future implementation using detailed 3D multi-compartment neuron models and dynamic synapses will be needed to investigate the impact of single neuron properties on network computation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Casali
- Neurophysiology Unit, Neurocomputational Laboratory, Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elisa Marenzi
- Neurophysiology Unit, Neurocomputational Laboratory, Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Chaitanya Medini
- Neurophysiology Unit, Neurocomputational Laboratory, Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudia Casellato
- Neurophysiology Unit, Neurocomputational Laboratory, Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Egidio D'Angelo
- Neurophysiology Unit, Neurocomputational Laboratory, Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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Abstract
The cerebellum is a central brain structure deeply integrated into major loops with the cerebral cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. The cerebellum shows a complex regional organization consisting of modules with sagittal orientation. The cerebellum takes part in motor control and its lesions cause a movement incoordination syndrome called ataxia. Recent observations also imply involvement of the cerebellum in cognition and executive control, with an impact on pathologies like dyslexia and autism. The cerebellum operates as a forward controller learning to predict the precise timing of correlated events. The physiologic mechanisms of cerebellar functioning are still the object of intense research. The signals entering the cerebellum through the mossy fibers are processed in the granular layer and transmitted to Purkinje cells, while a collateral pathway activates the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN). Purkinje cells in turn inhibit DCN, so that the cerebellar cortex operates as a side loop controlling the DCN. Learning is now known to occur through synaptic plasticity at multiple synapses in the granular layer, molecular layer, and DCN, extending the original concept of the Motor Learning Theory that predicted a single form of plasticity at the synapse between parallel fibers and Purkinje cells under the supervision of climbing fibers deriving from the inferior olive. Coordination derives from the precise regulation of timing and gain in the different cerebellar modules. The investigation of cerebellar dynamics using advanced physiologic recordings and computational models is now providing new clues on how the cerebellar network performs its internal computations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egidio D'Angelo
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
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Masoli S, Rizza MF, Sgritta M, Van Geit W, Schürmann F, D'Angelo E. Single Neuron Optimization as a Basis for Accurate Biophysical Modeling: The Case of Cerebellar Granule Cells. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:71. [PMID: 28360841 PMCID: PMC5350144 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In realistic neuronal modeling, once the ionic channel complement has been defined, the maximum ionic conductance (Gi-max) values need to be tuned in order to match the firing pattern revealed by electrophysiological recordings. Recently, selection/mutation genetic algorithms have been proposed to efficiently and automatically tune these parameters. Nonetheless, since similar firing patterns can be achieved through different combinations of Gi-max values, it is not clear how well these algorithms approximate the corresponding properties of real cells. Here we have evaluated the issue by exploiting a unique opportunity offered by the cerebellar granule cell (GrC), which is electrotonically compact and has therefore allowed the direct experimental measurement of ionic currents. Previous models were constructed using empirical tuning of Gi-max values to match the original data set. Here, by using repetitive discharge patterns as a template, the optimization procedure yielded models that closely approximated the experimental Gi-max values. These models, in addition to repetitive firing, captured additional features, including inward rectification, near-threshold oscillations, and resonance, which were not used as features. Thus, parameter optimization using genetic algorithms provided an efficient modeling strategy for reconstructing the biophysical properties of neurons and for the subsequent reconstruction of large-scale neuronal network models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Masoli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia Pavia, Italy
| | - Martina F Rizza
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of PaviaPavia, Italy; Dipartimento di Informatica, Sistemistica e Comunicazione, Università degli Studi di Milano-BicoccaMilan, Italy
| | - Martina Sgritta
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of PaviaPavia, Italy; Memory and Brain Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHouston, TX, USA
| | - Werner Van Geit
- Blue Brain Project, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Felix Schürmann
- Blue Brain Project, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Egidio D'Angelo
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of PaviaPavia, Italy; Brain Connectivity Center, C. Mondino National Neurological InstitutePavia, Italy
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D'Angelo E, Antonietti A, Casali S, Casellato C, Garrido JA, Luque NR, Mapelli L, Masoli S, Pedrocchi A, Prestori F, Rizza MF, Ros E. Modeling the Cerebellar Microcircuit: New Strategies for a Long-Standing Issue. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:176. [PMID: 27458345 PMCID: PMC4937064 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cerebellar microcircuit has been the work bench for theoretical and computational modeling since the beginning of neuroscientific research. The regular neural architecture of the cerebellum inspired different solutions to the long-standing issue of how its circuitry could control motor learning and coordination. Originally, the cerebellar network was modeled using a statistical-topological approach that was later extended by considering the geometrical organization of local microcircuits. However, with the advancement in anatomical and physiological investigations, new discoveries have revealed an unexpected richness of connections, neuronal dynamics and plasticity, calling for a change in modeling strategies, so as to include the multitude of elementary aspects of the network into an integrated and easily updatable computational framework. Recently, biophysically accurate “realistic” models using a bottom-up strategy accounted for both detailed connectivity and neuronal non-linear membrane dynamics. In this perspective review, we will consider the state of the art and discuss how these initial efforts could be further improved. Moreover, we will consider how embodied neurorobotic models including spiking cerebellar networks could help explaining the role and interplay of distributed forms of plasticity. We envisage that realistic modeling, combined with closed-loop simulations, will help to capture the essence of cerebellar computations and could eventually be applied to neurological diseases and neurorobotic control systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egidio D'Angelo
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of PaviaPavia, Italy; Brain Connectivity Center, C. Mondino National Neurological InstitutePavia, Italy
| | - Alberto Antonietti
- NearLab - NeuroEngineering and Medical Robotics Laboratory, Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Casali
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudia Casellato
- NearLab - NeuroEngineering and Medical Robotics Laboratory, Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano Milano, Italy
| | - Jesus A Garrido
- Department of Computer Architecture and Technology, University of Granada Granada, Spain
| | - Niceto Rafael Luque
- Department of Computer Architecture and Technology, University of Granada Granada, Spain
| | - Lisa Mapelli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefano Masoli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pedrocchi
- NearLab - NeuroEngineering and Medical Robotics Laboratory, Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Prestori
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia Pavia, Italy
| | - Martina Francesca Rizza
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of PaviaPavia, Italy; Dipartimento di Informatica, Sistemistica e Comunicazione, Università degli Studi di Milano-BicoccaMilan, Italy
| | - Eduardo Ros
- Department of Computer Architecture and Technology, University of Granada Granada, Spain
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Masoli S, Solinas S, D'Angelo E. Action potential processing in a detailed Purkinje cell model reveals a critical role for axonal compartmentalization. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:47. [PMID: 25759640 PMCID: PMC4338753 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The Purkinje cell (PC) is among the most complex neurons in the brain and plays a critical role for cerebellar functioning. PCs operate as fast pacemakers modulated by synaptic inputs but can switch from simple spikes to complex bursts and, in some conditions, show bistability. In contrast to original works emphasizing dendritic Ca-dependent mechanisms, recent experiments have supported a primary role for axonal Na-dependent processing, which could effectively regulate spike generation and transmission to deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN). In order to account for the numerous ionic mechanisms involved (at present including Nav1.6, Cav2.1, Cav3.1, Cav3.2, Cav3.3, Kv1.1, Kv1.5, Kv3.3, Kv3.4, Kv4.3, KCa1.1, KCa2.2, KCa3.1, Kir2.x, HCN1), we have elaborated a multicompartmental model incorporating available knowledge on localization and gating of PC ionic channels. The axon, including initial segment (AIS) and Ranvier nodes (RNs), proved critical to obtain appropriate pacemaking and firing frequency modulation. Simple spikes initiated in the AIS and protracted discharges were stabilized in the soma through Na-dependent mechanisms, while somato-dendritic Ca channels contributed to sustain pacemaking and to generate complex bursting at high discharge regimes. Bistability occurred only following Na and Ca channel down-regulation. In addition, specific properties in RNs K currents were required to limit spike transmission frequency along the axon. The model showed how organized electroresponsive functions could emerge from the molecular complexity of PCs and showed that the axon is fundamental to complement ionic channel compartmentalization enabling action potential processing and transmission of specific spike patterns to DCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Masoli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Science, University of Pavia Pavia, Italy
| | - Sergio Solinas
- Brain Connectivity Center, Istituto Neurologico IRCCS C. Mondino Pavia, Italy
| | - Egidio D'Angelo
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Science, University of Pavia Pavia, Italy ; Brain Connectivity Center, Istituto Neurologico IRCCS C. Mondino Pavia, Italy
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Rössert C, Solinas S, D'Angelo E, Dean P, Porrill J. Model cerebellar granule cells can faithfully transmit modulated firing rate signals. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:304. [PMID: 25352777 PMCID: PMC4195316 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
A crucial assumption of many high-level system models of the cerebellum is that information in the granular layer is encoded in a linear manner. However, granule cells are known for their non-linear and resonant synaptic and intrinsic properties that could potentially impede linear signal transmission. In this modeling study we analyse how electrophysiological granule cell properties and spike sampling influence information coded by firing rate modulation, assuming no signal-related, i.e., uncorrelated inhibitory feedback (open-loop mode). A detailed one-compartment granule cell model was excited in simulation by either direct current or mossy-fiber synaptic inputs. Vestibular signals were represented as tonic inputs to the flocculus modulated at frequencies up to 20 Hz (approximate upper frequency limit of vestibular-ocular reflex, VOR). Model outputs were assessed using estimates of both the transfer function, and the fidelity of input-signal reconstruction measured as variance-accounted-for. The detailed granule cell model with realistic mossy-fiber synaptic inputs could transmit information faithfully and linearly in the frequency range of the vestibular-ocular reflex. This was achieved most simply if the model neurons had a firing rate at least twice the highest required frequency of modulation, but lower rates were also adequate provided a population of neurons was utilized, especially in combination with push-pull coding. The exact number of neurons required for faithful transmission depended on the precise values of firing rate and noise. The model neurons were also able to combine excitatory and inhibitory signals linearly, and could be replaced by a simpler (modified) integrate-and-fire neuron in the case of high tonic firing rates. These findings suggest that granule cells can in principle code modulated firing-rate inputs in a linear manner, and are thus consistent with the high-level adaptive-filter model of the cerebellar microcircuit.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sergio Solinas
- Brain Connectivity Center, Istituto Neurologico Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico C. Mondino Pavia, Italy
| | - Egidio D'Angelo
- Brain Connectivity Center, Istituto Neurologico Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico C. Mondino Pavia, Italy ; Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia Pavia, Italy
| | - Paul Dean
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield Sheffield, UK
| | - John Porrill
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield Sheffield, UK
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