scholarly journals Functional properties and short-term dynamics of unidirectional and reciprocal synaptic connections between layer 2/3 pyramidal cells and fast-spiking interneurons in juvenile rat prefrontal cortex

2013 ◽  
pp. n/a-n/a ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Zaitsev ◽  
D. A. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Functional Properties ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Synaptic Connections ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Layer 2 ◽  
Fast Spiking

scholarly journals Electrophysiological classes of layer 2/3 pyramidal cells in monkey prefrontal cortex

2012 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
pp. 595-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Zaitsev ◽  
N. V. Povysheva ◽  
G. Gonzalez-Burgos ◽  
D. A. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Functional Properties ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Spiking Neurons ◽  
Membrane Properties ◽  
Layer 2 ◽  
Monkey Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Intrinsic Membrane Properties

The activity of supragranular pyramidal neurons in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) neurons is hypothesized to be a key contributor to the cellular basis of working memory in primates. Therefore, the intrinsic membrane properties, a crucial determinant of a neuron's functional properties, are important for the role of DLPFC pyramidal neurons in working memory. The present study aimed to investigate the biophysical properties of pyramidal cells in layer 2/3 of monkey DLPFC to create an unbiased electrophysiological classification of these cells. Whole cell voltage recordings in the slice preparation were performed in 77 pyramidal cells, and 24 electrophysiological measures of their passive and active intrinsic membrane properties were analyzed. Based on the results of cluster analysis of 16 independent electrophysiological variables, 4 distinct electrophysiological classes of monkey pyramidal cells were determined. Two classes contain regular-spiking neurons with low and high excitability and constitute 52% of the pyramidal cells sampled. These subclasses of regular-spiking neurons mostly differ in their input resistance, minimum current that evoked firing, and current-to-frequency transduction properties. A third class of pyramidal cells includes low-threshold spiking cells (17%), which fire a burst of three-five spikes followed by regular firing at all suprathreshold current intensities. The last class consists of cells with an intermediate firing pattern (31%). These cells have two modes of firing response, regular spiking and bursting discharge, depending on the strength of stimulation and resting membrane potential. Our results show that diversity in the functional properties of DLPFC pyramidal cells may contribute to heterogeneous modes of information processing during working memory and other cognitive operations that engage the activity of cortical circuits in the superficial layers of the DLPFC.

Functional Properties of Fast Spiking Interneurons and Their Synaptic Connections With Pyramidal Cells in Primate Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

2005 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 942-953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillermo González-Burgos ◽  
Leonid S. Krimer ◽  
Nadya V. Povysheva ◽  
German Barrionuevo ◽  
David A. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Synaptic Connections ◽  
Electrophysiological Properties ◽  
Axonal Arborization ◽  
Presynaptic Mechanisms ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽  
Fast Spiking

Recent studies suggest that fast-spiking (FS) interneurons of the monkey dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) exhibit task-related firing during working-memory tasks. To gain further understanding of the functional role of FS neurons in monkey DLPFC, we described the in vitro electrophysiological properties of FS interneurons and their synaptic connections with pyramidal cells in layers 2/3 of areas 9 and 46. Extracellular spike duration was found to distinguish FS cells from non-FS interneuron subtypes. However, a substantial overlap in extracellular spike duration between these populations would make classification of individual interneurons difficult. FS neurons could be divided into two main morphological groups, chandelier and basket neurons, with very similar electrophysiological properties but significantly different horizontal spread of the axonal arborization. In paired cell recordings, unitary inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) elicited by FS neurons in pyramidal cells had rapid time course, small amplitude at resting membrane potential, and were mediated by GABAA receptors. Repetitive FS neuron stimulation, partially mimicking the sustained firing of interneurons in vivo, produced short-term depression of the unitary IPSPs, present at connections made by both basket and chandelier neurons and due at least in part to presynaptic mechanisms. These results suggest that FS neurons and their synaptic connections with pyramidal cells have homogeneous physiological properties. Thus different functional roles of basket and chandelier neurons in the DLPFC in vivo must arise from the distinct properties of the interneuronal axonal arborization or from a different functional pattern of excitatory and inhibitory connections with other components of the DLPFC neuronal network.

Disparities in Short-Term Depression Among Prefrontal Cortex Synapses Sustain Persistent Activity in a Balanced Network

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Young Yoon ◽  
Hyoung Ro Lee ◽  
Won-Kyung Ho ◽  
Suk-Ho Lee
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Excitatory Synapses ◽  
Persistent Activity ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Fast Spiking ◽  
Balanced Network

Abstract Persistent activity of cue-representing neurons in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is regarded as a neural basis for working memory. The contribution of short-term synaptic plasticity (STP) at different types of synapses comprising the cortical network to persistent activity, however, remains unclear. Characterizing STP at synapses of the rat PFC layer 5 network, we found that PFC synapses exhibit distinct STP patterns according to presynaptic and postsynaptic identities. Excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) from corticopontine (Cpn) neurons were well sustained throughout continued activity, with stronger depression at synapses onto fast-spiking interneurons than those onto pyramidal cells. Inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) were sustained at a weaker level compared with EPSC from Cpn synapses. Computational modeling of a balanced network incorporating empirically observed STP revealed that little depression at recurrent excitatory synapses, combined with stronger depression at other synapses, could provide the PFC with a unique synaptic mechanism for the generation and maintenance of persistent activity.

scholarly journals Developmental Regulation of Basket Interneuron Synapses and Behavior through NCAM in Mouse Prefrontal Cortex

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 4689-4707
Author(s):  
Chelsea S Sullivan ◽  
Vishwa Mohan ◽  
Paul B Manis ◽  
Sheryl S Moy ◽  
Young Truong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Developmental Regulation ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Electrophysiological Recording ◽  
Network Function ◽  
Growth Cone Collapse ◽  
Layer 2 ◽  
And Behavior

Abstract Parvalbumin (PV)-expressing basket interneurons in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) regulate pyramidal cell firing, synchrony, and network oscillations. Yet, it is unclear how their perisomatic inputs to pyramidal neurons are integrated into neural circuitry and adjusted postnatally. Neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM is expressed in a variety of cells in the PFC and cooperates with EphrinA/EphAs to regulate inhibitory synapse density. Here, analysis of a novel parvalbumin (PV)-Cre: NCAM F/F mouse mutant revealed that NCAM functions presynaptically in PV+ basket interneurons to regulate postnatal elimination of perisomatic synapses. Mutant mice exhibited an increased density of PV+ perisomatic puncta in PFC layer 2/3, while live imaging in mutant brain slices revealed fewer puncta that were dynamically eliminated. Furthermore, EphrinA5-induced growth cone collapse in PV+ interneurons in culture depended on NCAM expression. Electrophysiological recording from layer 2/3 pyramidal cells in mutant PFC slices showed a slower rise time of inhibitory synaptic currents. PV-Cre: NCAM F/F mice exhibited impairments in working memory and social behavior that may be impacted by altered PFC circuitry. These findings suggest that the density of perisomatic synapses of PV+ basket interneurons is regulated postnatally by NCAM, likely through EphrinA-dependent elimination, which is important for appropriate PFC network function and behavior.

Cluster Analysis–Based Physiological Classification and Morphological Properties of Inhibitory Neurons in Layers 2–3 of Monkey Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 3009-3022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonid S. Krimer ◽  
Aleksey V. Zaitsev ◽  
Gabriela Czanner ◽  
Sven Kröner ◽  
Guillermo González-Burgos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Inhibitory Neurons ◽  
Morphological Properties ◽  
Electrophysiological Properties ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽  
Fast Spiking ◽  
Monkey Prefrontal Cortex

In primates, little is known about intrinsic electrophysiological properties of neocortical neurons and their morphological correlates. To classify inhibitory cells (interneurons) in layers 2–3 of monkey dorsolateral prefrontal cortex we used whole cell voltage recordings and intracellular labeling in slice preparation with subsequent morphological reconstructions. Regular spiking pyramidal cells have been also included in the sample. Neurons were successfully segregated into three physiological clusters: regular-, intermediate-, and fast-spiking cells using cluster analysis as a multivariate exploratory technique. When morphological types of neurons were mapped on the physiological clusters, the cluster of regular spiking cells contained all pyramidal cells, whereas the intermediate- and fast-spiking clusters consisted exclusively of interneurons. The cluster of fast-spiking cells contained all of the chandelier cells and the majority of local, medium, and wide arbor (basket) interneurons. The cluster of intermediate spiking cells predominantly consisted of cells with the morphology of neurogliaform or vertically oriented (double-bouquet) interneurons. Thus a quantitative approach enabled us to demonstrate that intrinsic electrophysiological properties of neurons in the monkey prefrontal cortex define distinct cell types, which also display distinct morphologies.

Isodirectional Tuning of Adjacent Interneurons and Pyramidal Cells During Working Memory: Evidence for Microcolumnar Organization in PFC

1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 1903-1916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srinivas G. Rao ◽  
Graham V. Williams ◽  
Patricia S. Goldman-Rakic
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Delayed Response ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Threshold Response ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽  
Fast Spiking ◽  
Spatially Oriented

Isodirectional tuning of adjacent interneurons and pyramidal cells during working memory: evidence for microcolumnar organization in PFC. Studies on the cellular mechanisms of working memory demonstrated that neurons in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dPFC) exhibit directionally tuned activity during an oculomotor delayed response. To determine the particular contributions of pyramidal cells and interneurons to spatial tuning in dPFC, we examined both individually and in pairs the tuning properties of regular-spiking (RS) and fast-spiking (FS) units that represent putative pyramidal cells and interneurons, respectively. Our main finding is that FS units possess spatially tuned sensory, motor, and delay activity (i.e., “memory fields”) similar to those found in RS units. Furthermore, when recorded simultaneously at the same site, the majority of neighboring neurons, whether FS or RS, displayed isodirectional tuning, i.e., they shared very similar tuning angles for the sensory and delay phases of the task. As the trial entered the response phase of the task, many FS units shifted their direction of tuning and became cross-directional to adjacent RS units by the end of the trial. These results establish that a large part of inhibition in prefrontal cortex is spatially oriented rather than being untuned and simply regulating the threshold response of pyramidal cell output. Moreover, the isodirectional tuning between adjacent neurons supports a functional microcolumnar organization in dPFC for spatial memory fields similar to that found in other areas of cortex for sensory receptive fields.

scholarly journals Layer 6A pyramidal cells subtypes form synaptic microcircuits with distinct functional and structural properties

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danqing Yang ◽  
Guanxiao Qi ◽  
Dirk Feldmeyer
Keyword(s):  
Barrel Cortex ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Synaptic Connections ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Electrophysiological Properties ◽  
Cell Type Specific ◽  
Feedback Networks ◽  
Whole Cell Recordings

Neocortical layer 6 plays a crucial role in sensorimotor coordination and integration through functionally segregated circuits linking intracortical and subcortical areas. However, because of the high neuronal heterogeneity and sparse intralaminar connectivity data on the cell-type specific synaptic microcircuits in layer 6 remain few and far between. To address this issue, whole-cell recordings combined with morphological reconstructions have been used to identify morphoelectric types of layer 6A pyramidal cells (PCs) in rat barrel cortex. Cortico-thalamic (CT), corticocortical (CC) and cortico-claustral (CCla) pyramidal cells have been distinguished based on to their distinct dendritic and axonal morphologies as well as their different electrophysiological properties. Here we demonstrate that these three types of layer 6A pyramidal cells innervate neighboring excitatory neurons with distinct synaptic properties: CT PCs establish weak facilitating synapses to other L6A PCs; CC PCs form synapses of moderate efficacy; while synapses made by putative CCla PCs display the highest release probability and a marked short-term depression. Furthermore, for excitatory-inhibitory synaptic connections in layer 6 we were able to show that both the presynaptic PC type and the postsynaptic interneuron type govern the dynamic properties of the of the respective synaptic connections. We have identified a functional division of local layer 6A excitatory microcircuits which may be responsible of the differential temporal engagement of layer 6 feed-forward and feedback networks. Our results provides a basis for further investigations on the long-range cortico-cortical, cortico-thalamic and cortico-claustral pathways.

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