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Shallow MC, Tian L, Lin H, Lefton KB, Chen S, Dougherty JD, Culver JP, Lambo ME, Hengen KB. At the onset of active whisking, the input layer of barrel cortex exhibits a 24 h window of increased excitability that depends on prior experience. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.04.597353. [PMID: 38895408 PMCID: PMC11185658 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.04.597353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The development of motor control over sensory organs is a critical milestone in sensory processing, enabling active exploration and shaping of the sensory environment. However, whether the onset of sensory organ motor control directly influences the development of corresponding sensory cortices remains unknown. Here, we exploit the late onset of whisking behavior in mice to address this question in the somatosensory system. Using ex vivo electrophysiology, we discovered a transient increase in the intrinsic excitability of excitatory neurons in layer IV of the barrel cortex, which processes whisker input, precisely coinciding with the onset of active whisking at postnatal day 14 (P14). This increase in neuronal gain was specific to layer IV, independent of changes in synaptic strength, and required prior sensory experience. Strikingly, the effect was not observed in layer II/III of the barrel cortex or in the visual cortex upon eye opening, suggesting a unique interaction between the development of active sensing and the thalamocortical input layer in the somatosensory system. Predictive modeling indicated that changes in active membrane conductances alone could reliably distinguish P14 neurons in control but not whisker-deprived hemispheres. Our findings demonstrate an experience-dependent, lamina-specific refinement of neuronal excitability tightly linked to the emergence of active whisking. This transient increase in the gain of the thalamic input layer coincides with a critical period for synaptic plasticity in downstream layers, suggesting a role in facilitating cortical maturation and sensory processing. Together, our results provide evidence for a direct interaction between the development of motor control and sensory cortex, offering new insights into the experience-dependent development and refinement of sensory systems. These findings have broad implications for understanding the interplay between motor and sensory development, and how the mechanisms of perception cooperate with behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucy Tian
- Department of Biology, Washington University in Saint Louis
| | - Hudson Lin
- Department of Biology, Washington University in Saint Louis
| | - Katheryn B Lefton
- Department of Biology, Washington University in Saint Louis
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in Saint Louis
| | - Siyu Chen
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in Saint Louis
| | | | - Joe P Culver
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in Saint Louis
| | - Mary E Lambo
- Department of Biology, Washington University in Saint Louis
| | - Keith B Hengen
- Department of Biology, Washington University in Saint Louis
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Pérez-González D, Lao-Rodríguez AB, Aedo-Sánchez C, Malmierca MS. Acetylcholine modulates the precision of prediction error in the auditory cortex. eLife 2024; 12:RP91475. [PMID: 38241174 PMCID: PMC10942646 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91475] [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: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
A fundamental property of sensory systems is their ability to detect novel stimuli in the ambient environment. The auditory brain contains neurons that decrease their response to repetitive sounds but increase their firing rate to novel or deviant stimuli; the difference between both responses is known as stimulus-specific adaptation or neuronal mismatch (nMM). Here, we tested the effect of microiontophoretic applications of ACh on the neuronal responses in the auditory cortex (AC) of anesthetized rats during an auditory oddball paradigm, including cascade controls. Results indicate that ACh modulates the nMM, affecting prediction error responses but not repetition suppression, and this effect is manifested predominantly in infragranular cortical layers. The differential effect of ACh on responses to standards, relative to deviants (in terms of averages and variances), was consistent with the representational sharpening that accompanies an increase in the precision of prediction errors. These findings suggest that ACh plays an important role in modulating prediction error signaling in the AC and gating the access of these signals to higher cognitive levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Pérez-González
- Cognitive and Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience of Castilla y León, Calle Pintor Fernando GallegoSalamancaSpain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL)SalamancaSpain
- Department of Basic Psychology, Psychobiology and Behavioural Science Methodology, Faculty of Psychology, Campus Ciudad Jardín, University of SalamancaSalamancaSpain
| | - Ana Belén Lao-Rodríguez
- Cognitive and Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience of Castilla y León, Calle Pintor Fernando GallegoSalamancaSpain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL)SalamancaSpain
| | - Cristian Aedo-Sánchez
- Cognitive and Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience of Castilla y León, Calle Pintor Fernando GallegoSalamancaSpain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL)SalamancaSpain
| | - Manuel S Malmierca
- Cognitive and Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience of Castilla y León, Calle Pintor Fernando GallegoSalamancaSpain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL)SalamancaSpain
- Department of Biology and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, University of SalamancaSalamancaSpain
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Luhmann HJ. Dynamics of neocortical networks: connectivity beyond the canonical microcircuit. Pflugers Arch 2023; 475:1027-1033. [PMID: 37336815 PMCID: PMC10409710 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-023-02830-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
The neocortical network consists of two types of excitatory neurons and a variety of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons, which are organized in distinct microcircuits providing feedforward, feedback, lateral inhibition, and disinhibition. This network is activated by layer- and cell-type specific inputs from first and higher order thalamic nuclei, other subcortical regions, and by cortico-cortical projections. Parallel and serial information processing occurs simultaneously in different intracortical subnetworks and is influenced by neuromodulatory inputs arising from the basal forebrain (cholinergic), raphe nuclei (serotonergic), locus coeruleus (noradrenergic), and ventral tegmentum (dopaminergic). Neocortical neurons differ in their intrinsic firing pattern, in their local and global synaptic connectivity, and in the dynamics of their synaptic interactions. During repetitive stimulation, synaptic connections between distinct neuronal cell types show short-term facilitation or depression, thereby activating or inactivating intracortical microcircuits. Specific networks are capable to generate local and global activity patterns (e.g., synchronized oscillations), which contribute to higher cognitive function and behavior. This review article aims to give a brief overview on our current understanding of the structure and function of the neocortical network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiko J Luhmann
- Institute of Physiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Duesbergweg 6, D-55128, Mainz, Germany.
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4
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Li X, Zheng Y, Zhao X, Cui R, Li X. Relationship between the role of muscarinic M 3 receptors in morphine-induced conditioned place preference and the mesolimbic dopamine system. Neurosci Lett 2022; 786:136774. [PMID: 35809878 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Opioid use disorder mainly results from functional defects in the brain reward loop, which includs the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc; consisting of shell and core, NAcS and NAcC). Reward effects contribute to opioid use disorder. RMTg M3 receptors play a role in opioid reward by regulating the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neuron activity. Dopamine D1 receptors expressed on GABA neurons regulate opioid reward by mediating the dopamine neuron activity in the VTA. Therefore, we investigated the effect of activating M3 receptors by microinjecting pilocarpine into the RMTg along with activating D1 receptors by microinjecting SKF38393 into the VTA on morphine-induced reward effect, using the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm (locomotion was also recorded). We also investigated whether the activation of M3 receptors in the RMTg influenced dopamine release in the NAcS. The results showed that the inhibitory role of RMTg pilocarpine (60 μg/rat) infusions in morphine-induced CPP was reversed by VTA SKF38393 (4 μg/rat) infusions. Moreover, morphine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) increased dopamine release in the NAcS, which was blunted by microinjecting pilocarpine (60 μg/rat) into the RMTg. These results indicate that RMTg M3 receptors mediate morphine-induced reward effect, which is probably related to the dopamine activity within the VTA and NAcS. The relationship between RMTg M3 receptors and the mesolimbic dopamine system could be a potential direction for the treatment of opioid use disorder, but further verification through more comprehensive techniques is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhong Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China; Department of Education, Luliang University, Shanxi, China
| | - Yuqian Zheng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China; School of Education, Cangzhou Normal University, Hebei, China
| | - Ruisi Cui
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China.
| | - Xinwang Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China.
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Chen H, He T, Li M, Wang C, Guo C, Wang W, Yu B, Huang J, Cui L, Guo P, Yuan Y, Tan T. Cell-type-specific synaptic modulation of mAChR on SST and PV interneurons. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1070478. [PMID: 36713928 PMCID: PMC9877455 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1070478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) antagonist, scopolamine, has been shown to have a rapid antidepressant effect. And it is believed that GABAergic interneurons play a crucial role in this action. Therefore, characterizing the modulation effects of mAChR on GABAergic interneurons is crucial for understanding the mechanisms underlying scopolamine's antidepressant effects. In this study, we examined the effect of mAChR activation on the excitatory synaptic transmissions in two major subtypes of GABAergic interneurons, somatostatin (SST)- and parvalbumin (PV)-expressing interneurons, in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). We found that muscarine, a mAChR agonist, non-specifically facilitated the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) in both SST and PV interneurons. Scopolamine completely blocked the effects of muscarine, as demonstrated by recovery of sESPCs and mEPSCs in these two types of interneurons. Additionally, individual application of scopolamine did not affect the EPSCs of these interneurons. In inhibitory transmission, we further observed that muscarine suppressed the frequency of both spontaneous and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs and mIPSCs) in SST interneurons, but not PV interneurons. Interestingly, scopolamine directly enhanced the frequency of both sIPSCs and mIPSCs mainly in SST interneurons, but not PV interneurons. Overall, our results indicate that mAChR modulates excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission to SST and PV interneurons within the ACC in a cell-type-specific manner, which may contribute to its role in the antidepressant effects of scopolamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanxin Chen
- Huzhou Third Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality of the Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting He
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality of the Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Meiyi Li
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality of the Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chunlian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality of the Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chen Guo
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality of the Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Baocong Yu
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jintao Huang
- Huzhou Third Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lijun Cui
- Huzhou Third Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ping Guo
- Huzhou Third Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yonggui Yuan
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Tan
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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