scholarly journals The hippocampal engram maps experience but not place

Science ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 361 (6400) ◽  
pp. 392-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazumasa Z. Tanaka ◽  
Hongshen He ◽  
Anupratap Tomar ◽  
Kazue Niisato ◽  
Arthur J. Y. Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Memory Recall ◽  
Spatial Coding ◽  
Theta Frequency ◽  
Memory Content ◽  
Sparse Population ◽  
Episodic Memories ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Memory Engram

Episodic memories are encoded by a sparse population of hippocampal neurons. In mice, optogenetic manipulation of this memory engram established that these neurons are indispensable and inducing for memory recall. However, little is known about their in vivo activity or precise role in memory. We found that during memory encoding, only a fraction of CA1 place cells function as engram neurons, distinguished by firing repetitive bursts paced at the theta frequency. During memory recall, these neurons remained highly context specific, yet demonstrated preferential remapping of their place fields. These data demonstrate a dissociation of precise spatial coding and contextual indexing by distinct hippocampal ensembles and suggest that the hippocampal engram serves as an index of memory content.

scholarly journals Inception of a false memory by optogenetic manipulation of a hippocampal memory engram

2014 ◽  
Vol 369 (1633) ◽  
pp. 20130142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Liu ◽  
Steve Ramirez ◽  
Susumu Tonegawa
Keyword(s):  
Fear Conditioning ◽  
False Memory ◽  
Fear Memory ◽  
Memory Recall ◽  
Fear Response ◽  
Specific Context ◽  
Ca1 Neurons ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Memory Engram ◽  
Experimental Group

Memories can be easily distorted, and a lack of relevant animal models has largely hindered our understanding of false-memory formation. Here, we first identified a population of cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus that bear the engrams for a specific context; these cells were naturally activated during the encoding phase of fear conditioning and their artificial reactivation using optogenetics in an unrelated context was sufficient for inducing the fear memory specific to the conditioned context. In a further study, DG or CA1 neurons activated by exposure to a particular context were labelled with channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2). These neurons were later optically reactivated during fear conditioning in a different context. The DG experimental group showed increased freezing in the original context in which a foot shock was never delivered. The recall of this false memory was context specific, activated similar downstream regions engaged during natural fear-memory recall, and was also capable of driving an active fear response. Together, our data demonstrate that by substituting a natural conditioned stimulus with optogenetically reactivated DG cells that bear contextual memory engrams, it is possible to incept an internally and behaviourally represented false fear memory.

Neurotrophic Properties of Silexan, an Essential Oil from the Flowers of Lavender-Preclinical Evidence for Antidepressant-Like Properties

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (01) ◽  
pp. 37-46
Author(s):  
Kristina Friedland ◽  
Giacomo Silani ◽  
Anita Schuwald ◽  
Carola Stockburger ◽  
Egon Koch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oil ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Day Treatment ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Antidepressant Activity ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Antidepressant Effects ◽  
Primary Hippocampal Neurons

Abstract Background Silexan, a special essential oil from flowering tops of lavandula angustifolia, is used to treat subsyndromal anxiety disorders. In a recent clinical trial, Silexan also showed antidepressant effects in patients suffering from mixed anxiety-depression (ICD-10 F41.2). Since preclinical data explaining antidepressant properties of Silexan are missing, we decided to investigate if Silexan also shows antidepressant-like effects in vitro as well as in vivo models. Methods We used the forced swimming test (FST) in rats as a simple behavioral test indicative of antidepressant activity in vivo. As environmental events and other risk factors contribute to depression through converging molecular and cellular mechanisms that disrupt neuronal function and morphology—resulting in dysfunction of the circuitry that is essential for mood regulation and cognitive function—we investigated the neurotrophic properties of Silexan in neuronal cell lines and primary hippocampal neurons. Results The antidepressant activity of Silexan (30 mg/kg BW) in the FST was comparable to the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine (20 mg/kg BW) after 9-day treatment. Silexan triggered neurite outgrowth and synaptogenesis in 2 different neuronal cell models and led to a significant increase in synaptogenesis in primary hippocampal neurons. Silexan led to a significant phosphorylation of protein kinase A and subsequent CREB phosphorylation. Conclusion Taken together, Silexan demonstrates antidepressant-like effects in cellular as well as animal models for antidepressant activity. Therefore, our data provides preclinical evidence for the clinical antidepressant effects of Silexan in patients with mixed depression and anxiety.

scholarly journals Generalizing game-changing species across microbial communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Deng ◽  
Marco Tulio Angulo ◽  
Serguei Saavedra
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Context Dependency ◽  
Heuristic Rules ◽  
Resident Species ◽  
Experimental Systems ◽  
Environment And Health ◽  
Structuralist Theory ◽  
Context Specific

AbstractMicrobes form multispecies communities that play essential roles in our environment and health. Not surprisingly, there is an increasing need for understanding if certain invader species will modify a given microbial community, producing either a desired or undesired change in the observed collection of resident species. However, the complex interactions that species can establish between each other and the diverse external factors underlying their dynamics have made constructing such understanding context-specific. Here we integrate tractable theoretical systems with tractable experimental systems to find general conditions under which non-resident species can change the collection of resident communities—game-changing species. We show that non-resident colonizers are more likely to be game-changers than transients, whereas game-changers are more likely to suppress than to promote resident species. Importantly, we find general heuristic rules for game-changers under controlled environments by integrating mutual invasibility theory with in vitro experimental systems, and general heuristic rules under changing environments by integrating structuralist theory with in vivo experimental systems. Despite the strong context-dependency of microbial communities, our work shows that under an appropriate integration of tractable theoretical and experimental systems, it is possible to unveil regularities that can then be potentially extended to understand the behavior of complex natural communities.

FKBP51 Modulates Hippocampal Size and Function in Post-translational Regulation of Parkin

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Qiu ◽  
Zhaohui Zhong ◽  
Shawn Righter ◽  
Yuxue Xu ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Translational Regulation ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Fk506 Binding Protein ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
And Function

Abstract FK506-binding protein 51 (encoded by Fkpb51) has been associated with stress-related mental illness. To identify its function, we studied the morphological consequences of Fkbp51 deletion. Artificial Intelligence-assist morphological analysis identified that Fkbp51 knock-out (KO) mice possess more elongated CA and DG but shorter in height in coronal section when compared to WT. Primary cultured Fkbp51 KO hippocampal neurons were shown to exhibit larger dendritic outgrowth than wild-type (WT) controls, pharmacological manipulation experiments suggest that this may occur through regulation of microtubule-associated protein. Both in vitro primary culture and in vivo labeling support that FKBP51 regulates microtubule-associated protein expression. Furthermore, in the absence of differences in mRNA expression, Fkbp51 KO hippocampus exhibited decreases in βIII-tubulin, MAP2, and Tau protein levels, but a greater than 2.5-fold increase in Parkin protein. Overexpression and knock-down FKBP51 demonstrated that FKBP51 negatively regulates Parkin in a dose-dependent and ubiquitin-mediated manner. These results indicate a potential novel post-translational regulatory of Parkin by FKBP51 and significance of their interaction on disease onset.

scholarly journals Regulation of GABAergic synapse formation and plasticity by GSK3β-dependent phosphorylation of gephyrin

2010 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 379-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiva K. Tyagarajan ◽  
Himanish Ghosh ◽  
Gonzalo E. Yévenes ◽  
Irina Nikonenko ◽  
Claire Ebeling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Glycogen Synthase ◽  
Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Scaffolding Protein ◽  
Scaffolding Proteins ◽  
Gabaergic Synapse ◽  
Gabaergic Synapses

Postsynaptic scaffolding proteins ensure efficient neurotransmission by anchoring receptors and signaling molecules in synapse-specific subcellular domains. In turn, posttranslational modifications of scaffolding proteins contribute to synaptic plasticity by remodeling the postsynaptic apparatus. Though these mechanisms are operant in glutamatergic synapses, little is known about regulation of GABAergic synapses, which mediate inhibitory transmission in the CNS. Here, we focused on gephyrin, the main scaffolding protein of GABAergic synapses. We identify a unique phosphorylation site in gephyrin, Ser270, targeted by glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) to modulate GABAergic transmission. Abolishing Ser270 phosphorylation increased the density of gephyrin clusters and the frequency of miniature GABAergic postsynaptic currents in cultured hippocampal neurons. Enhanced, phosphorylation-dependent gephyrin clustering was also induced in vitro and in vivo with lithium chloride. Lithium is a GSK3β inhibitor used therapeutically as mood-stabilizing drug, which underscores the relevance of this posttranslational modification for synaptic plasticity. Conversely, we show that gephyrin availability for postsynaptic clustering is limited by Ca2+-dependent gephyrin cleavage by the cysteine protease calpain-1. Together, these findings identify gephyrin as synaptogenic molecule regulating GABAergic synaptic plasticity, likely contributing to the therapeutic action of lithium.

scholarly journals TrkB deubiquitylation by USP8 regulates receptor levels and BDNF-dependent neuronal differentiation

2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (24) ◽  
pp. jcs247841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Martín-Rodríguez ◽  
Minseok Song ◽  
Begoña Anta ◽  
Francisco J. González-Calvo ◽  
Rubén Deogracias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Differentiation ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Neurotrophin Receptor ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Carboxyl Terminal

ABSTRACTUbiquitylation of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) regulates both the levels and functions of these receptors. The neurotrophin receptor TrkB (also known as NTRK2), a RTK, is ubiquitylated upon activation by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) binding. Although TrkB ubiquitylation has been demonstrated, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the precise repertoire of proteins that regulates TrkB ubiquitylation. Here, we provide mechanistic evidence indicating that ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 8 (USP8) modulates BDNF- and TrkB-dependent neuronal differentiation. USP8 binds to the C-terminus of TrkB using its microtubule-interacting domain (MIT). Immunopurified USP8 deubiquitylates TrkB in vitro, whereas knockdown of USP8 results in enhanced ubiquitylation of TrkB upon BDNF treatment in neurons. As a consequence of USP8 depletion, TrkB levels and its activation are reduced. Moreover, USP8 protein regulates the differentiation and correct BDNF-dependent dendritic formation of hippocampal neurons in vitro and in vivo. We conclude that USP8 positively regulates the levels and activation of TrkB, modulating BDNF-dependent neuronal differentiation.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

Theta-Frequency Resonance in Hippocampal CA1 Neurons In Vitro Demonstrated by Sinusoidal Current Injection

1998 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 1592-1596 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Stan Leung ◽  
Hui-Wen Yu
Keyword(s):  
Resonant Frequency ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Ca1 Neurons ◽  
Frequency Resonance ◽  
Hippocampal Ca1 Neurons ◽  
Hippocampal Ca1 ◽  
Theta Frequency ◽  
Sinusoidal Current ◽  
Sinusoidal Currents

Leung, L. Stan and Hui-Wen Yu. Theta-frequency resonance in hippocampal CA1 neurons in vitro demonstrated by sinusoidal current injection. J. Neurophysiol. 79: 1592–1596, 1998. Sinusoidal currents of various frequencies were injected into hippocampal CA1 neurons in vitro, and the membrane potential responses were analyzed by cross power spectral analysis. Sinusoidal currents induced a maximal (resonant) response at a theta frequency (3–10 Hz) in slightly depolarized neurons. As predicted by linear systems theory, the resonant frequency was about the same as the natural (spontaneous) oscillation frequency. However, in some cases, the resonant frequency was higher than the spontaneous oscillation frequency, or resonance was found in the absence of spontaneous oscillations. The sharpness of the resonance ( Q), measured by the peak frequency divided by the half-peak power bandwidth, increased from a mean of 0.44 at rest to 0.83 during a mean depolarization of 6.5 mV. The phase of the driven oscillations changed most rapidly near the resonant frequency, and it shifted about 90° over the half-peak bandwidth of 8.4 Hz. Similar results were found using a sinusoidal function of slowly changing frequency as the input. Sinusoidal currents of peak-to-peak intensity of >100 pA may evoke nonlinear responses characterized by second and higher harmonics. The theta-frequency resonance in hippocampal neurons in vitro suggests that the same voltage-dependent phenomenon may be important in enhancing a theta-frequency response when hippocampal neurons are driven by medial septal or other inputs in vivo.

Intrinsic Theta-Frequency Membrane Potential Oscillations in Hippocampal CA1 Interneurons of Stratum Lacunosum-Moleculare

1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 1296-1307 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Andrew Chapman ◽  
Jean-Claude Lacaille
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Stratum Radiatum ◽  
Potential Oscillations ◽  
Spike Threshold ◽  
Hippocampal Ca1 ◽  
Theta Frequency ◽  
Stratum Lacunosum Moleculare ◽  
Membrane Potential Oscillations

Intrinsic theta-frequency membrane potential oscillations in hippocampal CA1 interneurons of stratum lacunosum-moleculare. The ionic conductances underlying membrane potential oscillations of hippocampal CA1 interneurons located near the border between stratum lacunosum-moleculare and stratum radiatum (LM) were investigated using whole cell current-clamp recordings in rat hippocampal slices. At 22°C, when LM cells were depolarized near spike threshold by current injection, 91% of cells displayed 2–5 Hz oscillations in membrane potential, which caused rhythmic firing. At 32°C, mean oscillation frequency increased to 7.1 Hz. Oscillations were voltage dependent and were eliminated by hyperpolarizing cells 6–10 mV below spike threshold. Blockade of ionotropic glutamate and GABA synaptic transmission did not affect oscillations, indicating that they were not synaptically driven. Oscillations were eliminated by tetrodotoxin, suggesting that Na+ currents generate the depolarizing phase of oscillations. Oscillations were not affected by blocking Ca2+ currents with Cd2+ or Ca2+-free ACSF or by blocking the hyperpolarization-activated current ( I h) with Cs+. Both Ba2+ and a low concentration of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) reduced oscillations but TEA did not. Theta-frequency oscillations were much less common in interneurons located in stratum oriens. Intrinsic membrane potential oscillations in LM cells of the CA1 region thus involve an interplay between inward Na+ currents and outward K+ currents sensitive to Ba2+ and 4-AP. These oscillations may participate in rhythmic inhibition and synchronization of pyramidal neurons during theta activity in vivo.

Bcl-2 homology domain 3-only proteins Puma and Bim mediate the vulnerability of CA1 hippocampal neurons to proteasome inhibition in vivo

2010 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuro Tsuchiya ◽  
Helena P. Bonner ◽  
Tobias Engel ◽  
Ina Woods ◽  
Satoshi Matsushima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Proteasome Inhibition ◽  
Domain 3

scholarly journals Fronto-medial theta coordinates posterior maintenance of working memory content

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Ratcliffe ◽  
Kimron Shapiro ◽  
Bernhard P. Staresina
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Medial Cortex ◽  
Duty Cycles ◽  
Machine Learning Approach ◽  
Theta Frequency ◽  
Oscillatory Power ◽  
Posterior Parietal ◽  
Memory Content ◽  
Memory Contents

AbstractHow does the human brain manage multiple bits of information to guide goal-directed behaviour? Successful working memory (WM) functioning has consistently been linked to oscillatory power in the theta frequency band (4-8 Hz) over fronto-medial cortex (fronto-medial theta, FMT). Specifically, FMT is thought to reflect the mechanism of an executive sub-system that coordinates maintenance of memory contents in posterior regions. However, direct evidence for the role of FMT in controlling specific WM content is lacking. Here we collected high-density Electroencephalography (EEG) data whilst participants engaged in load-varying WM tasks and then used multivariate decoding methods to examine WM content during the maintenance period. Higher WM load elicited a focal increase in FMT. Importantly, decoding of WM content was driven by posterior/parietal sites, which in turn showed load-induced functional theta coupling with fronto-medial cortex. Finally, we observed a significant slowing of FMT frequency with increasing WM load, consistent with the hypothesised broadening of a theta ‘duty cycle’ to accommodate additional WM items. Together these findings demonstrate that frontal theta orchestrates posterior maintenance of WM content. Moreover, the observed frequency slowing elucidates the function of FMT oscillations by specifically supporting phase-coding accounts of WM.Significance StatementHow does the brain juggle the maintenance of multiple items in working memory (WM)? Here we show that increased WM demands increase theta power (4-8 Hz) in fronto-medial cortex. Interestingly, using a machine learning approach, we found that the content held in WM could be read out not from frontal, but from posterior areas. These areas were in turn functionally coupled with fronto-medial cortex, consistent with the idea that frontal cortex orchestrates WM representations in posterior regions. Finally, we observed that holding an additional item in WM leads to significant slowing of the frontal theta rhythm, supporting computational models that postulate longer ‘duty cycles’ to accommodate additional WM demands.

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