Dynamics of Excitatory Synaptic Components in Sustained Firing at Low Rates

2005 ◽  
Vol 93 (6) ◽  
pp. 3370-3380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Wyart ◽  
Simona Cocco ◽  
Laurent Bourdieu ◽  
Jean-Francois Léger ◽  
Catherine Herr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Firing Frequency ◽  
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Nmdar Activation ◽  
Asynchronous Release ◽  
Low Rate

Sustained firing is necessary for the persistent activity associated with working memory. The relative contributions of the reverberation of excitation and of the temporal dynamics of the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) to the maintenance of activity are difficult to evaluate in classical preparations. We used simplified models of synchronous excitatory networks, hippocampal autapses and pairs, to study the synaptic mechanisms underlying firing at low rates. Calcium imaging and cell attached recordings showed that these neurons spontaneously fired bursts of action potentials that lasted for seconds over a wide range of frequencies. In 2-wk-old cells, the median firing frequency was low (11 ± 8.8 Hz), whereas in 3- to 4-wk-old cells, it decreased to a very low value (2 ± 1.3 Hz). In both cases, we have shown that the slowest synaptic component supported firing. In 2-wk-old autapses, antagonists of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) induced rare isolated spikes showing that the NMDA component of the EPSP was essential for bursts at low frequency. In 3- to 4-wk-old neurons, the very low frequency firing was maintained without the NMDAR activation. However EGTA-AM or α-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG) removed the very slow depolarizing component of the EPSP and prevented the sustained firing at very low rate. A metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)-activated calcium sensitive conductance is therefore responsible for a very slow synaptic component associated with firing at very low rate. In addition, our observations suggested that the asynchronous release of glutamate might participate also in the recurring bursting.

Reversible Synaptic Depression in Developing Rat CA3–CA1 Synapses Explained by a Novel Cycle of AMPA Silencing-Unsilencing

2007 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 2604-2611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Therése Abrahamsson ◽  
Bengt Gustafsson ◽  
Eric Hanse
Keyword(s):  
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Synaptic Depression ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate ◽  
Silent Synapses ◽  
Recording Conditions

In the developing hippocampus, experiments using whole cell recordings have shown that a small number of synaptic activations can convert many glutamate synapses to AMPA silent synapses. This depression of AMPA signaling is induced by low-frequency (0.05–0.2 Hz) activation, does not require N-methyl-d-aspartate or metabotropic glutamate receptor activation for its induction, and does not readily reverse after stimulus interruption. Here we show, using field recordings and perforated patch-clamp recordings of transmission in developing CA3–CA1 synapses, that this synaptic depression also can be observed under more noninvasive recording conditions. Moreover, under these conditions, the synaptic depression spontaneously recovers within 20 min by the absence of synaptic activation alone, with a time constant of ∼7 min as determined by field excitatory postsynaptic potential recordings. Thus as for the expression of long-term potentiation (LTP), recovery from this depression is susceptible to whole cell dialysis (“wash-out”). In contrast to LTP-induced unsilencing, the AMPA signaling after stimulus interruption was again labile, resumed stimulation resulted in renewed depression. The present study has thus identified a novel cycle for AMPA signaling in which the nascent glutamate synapse cycles between an AMPA silent state, induced by a small number of synaptic activations, and a labile AMPA signaling, induced by prolonged inactivity.

Reexamination of the effects of MCPG on hippocampal LTP, LTD, and depotentiation

1995 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 1075-1082 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. K. Selig ◽  
H. K. Lee ◽  
M. F. Bear ◽  
R. C. Malenka
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Extracellular Recording ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Frequency Stimulation

1. We examined the effects of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) antagonist alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG) on the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) long-term depression (LTD), and depotentiation in CA1 hippocampal neurons using extracellular recording techniques. 2. MCPG (500 microM) strongly antagonized the presynaptic inhibitory action of the mGluR agonist 1-aminocyclopentane-(1S,3R)-dicarboxylic acid yet failed to block LTP induced with either tetanic stimulation (100 Hz, 1 s) or theta-burst stimulation. 3. To test the possibility that our failure to block LTP was due to prior activation of a "molecular switch" that in its "on" state obviates the need for mGluR activation to generate LTP, we gave repeated periods of prolonged low-frequency stimulation (LFS; 1 Hz, 10 min), a manipulation reported to turn the switch "off." Although this stimulation saturated LTD, subsequent application of MCPG still failed to block LTP. 4. MCPG did not block LFS-induced depotentiation in older slices (4-6 wk) or LFS-induced LTD in older, young (11-18 days), or neonatal (3-7 days) slices. 5. These results demonstrate that MCPG-sensitive mGluRs are not necessary for the induction of LTP, LTD, or depotentiation in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells. The possibility remains, however, that their activation may modify the threshold for the induction of these long-term plastic changes.

scholarly journals Current Research Therapeutic Strategies for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaume Folch ◽  
Dmitry Petrov ◽  
Miren Ettcheto ◽  
Sonia Abad ◽  
Elena Sánchez-López ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate ◽  
Amyloid A ◽  
Slowing Down ◽  
Fyn Kinase ◽  
Nmdar Activation ◽  
The Developed Countries

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) currently presents one of the biggest healthcare issues in the developed countries. There is no effective treatment capable of slowing down disease progression. In recent years the main focus of research on novel pharmacotherapies was based on the amyloidogenic hypothesis of AD, which posits that the beta amyloid (Aβ) peptide is chiefly responsible for cognitive impairment and neuronal death. The goal of such treatments is (a) to reduce Aβproduction through the inhibition ofβandγsecretase enzymes and (b) to promote dissolution of existing cerebral Aβplaques. However, this approach has proven to be only modestly effective. Recent studies suggest an alternative strategy centred on the inhibition of the downstream Aβsignalling, particularly at the synapse. Aβoligomers may cause aberrant N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activation postsynaptically by forming complexes with the cell-surface prion protein (PrPC). PrPC is enriched at the neuronal postsynaptic density, where it interacts with Fyn tyrosine kinase. Fyn activation occurs when Aβis bound to PrPC-Fyn complex. Fyn causes tyrosine phosphorylation of the NR2B subunit of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5). Fyn kinase blockers masitinib and saracatinib have proven to be efficacious in treating AD symptoms in experimental mouse models of the disease.

scholarly journals NMDA Receptor-Dependent Metaplasticity by High-Frequency Magnetic Stimulation

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tursonjan Tokay ◽  
Timo Kirschstein ◽  
Marco Rohde ◽  
Volker Zschorlich ◽  
Rüdiger Köhling
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate

High-frequency magnetic stimulation (HFMS) can elicit N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) at Schaffer collateral-CA1 pyramidal cell synapses. Here, we investigated the priming effect of HFMS on the subsequent magnitude of electrically induced LTP in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices using field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) recordings. In control slices, electrical high-frequency conditioning stimulation (CS) could reliably induce LTP. In contrast, the same CS protocol resulted in long-term depression when HFMS was delivered to the slice 30 min prior to the electrical stimulation. HFMS-priming was diminished when applied in the presence of the metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists (RS)-α-methylserine-O-phosphate (MSOP) and (RS)-α-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG). Moreover, when HFMS was delivered in the presence of the NMDA receptor-antagonist D-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (50 µM), CS-induced electrical LTP was again as high as under control conditions in slices without priming. These results demonstrate that HFMS significantly reduced the propensity of subsequent electrical LTP and show that both metabotropic glutamate and NMDA receptor activation were involved in this form of HFMS-induced metaplasticity.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors depress afferent excitatory transmission in the rat nucleus tractus solitarii

1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 2669-2672 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. Glaum ◽  
R. J. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor ◽  
Nucleus Tractus Solitarius ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Relevant Stimulus ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate ◽  
Excitatory Transmission ◽  
Bath Application ◽  
Thin Slices ◽  
Mglur Antagonist

1. We have previously demonstrated that the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylate [(1S;3R)-ACPD] presynaptically inhibits evoked glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in patch-clamped rat nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) neurons recorded in thin slices. The present study investigated the ability of endogenously released glutamate to modulate EPSCs in the NTS. 2. A low-frequency tetanus of the tractus solitarius (TS) resulted in either posttetanic potentiation (PTP) (8 of 21 cells) or depression (13 of 21 cells) of monosynaptic EPSCs recorded in the presence of D(-)2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5) and bicuculline. 3. The amplitude of the EPSC was not significantly affected by the bath application of the mGluR antagonist (+) alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG). 4. In the presence of MCPG, a low-frequency tetanus resulted in PTP of the EPSC in all neurons. PTP was significantly enhanced in those cells previously exhibiting PTP. 5. The results suggest that presynaptic mGluRs on TS projections to the NTS may be activated by endogenously released glutamate at physiologically relevant stimulus frequencies and therefore play a role in the modulation of autonomic afferent transmission.

scholarly journals Selective Abolition of the NMDA Component of Long-Term Potentiation in Mice Lacking mGluR5

1998 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 331-343
Author(s):  
Zhengping Jia ◽  
YouMing Lu ◽  
Jeff Henderson ◽  
Franco Taverna ◽  
Carmelo Romano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Nmda Receptors ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Mutant Mice ◽  
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate ◽  
Term Potentiation

The mechanisms underlying the differential expression of long-term potentiation (LTP) by AMPA and NMDA receptors, are unknown, but could involve G-protein-linked metabotropic glutamate receptors. To investigate this hypothesis we created mutant mice that expressed no metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5), but showed normal development. In an earlier study of these mice we analyzed field-excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSPs) in CA1 region of the hippocampus and found a small decrease; possibly arising from changes in the NMDAR-mediated component of synaptic transmission. In the present study we used whole-cell patch clamp recordings of evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in CA1 pyramidal neurons to identify the AMPAR- and NMDAR-mediated components of LTP. Recordings from control mice following tetanus, or agonist application (IS, 3R-1-amino-cyclopentane 1,3-dicarboxylic acid) (ACPD), revealed equal enhancement of the AMPA and NMDA receptor-mediated components. In contrast, CA1 neurons from mGluR5-deficient mice showed a complete loss of the NMDA-receptor-mediated component of LTP (LTPNMDA), but normal LTP of the AMPA-receptor-mediated component (LTPAMPA). This selective loss of LTPNMDA was seen in three different genotypic backgrounds and was apparent at all holding potentials (−70 mV to +20 mV). Furthermore, the LTPNMDA deficit in mGluR5 mutant mice could be rescued by stimulating protein kinase C (PKC) with 4β-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu). These results suggest that PKC may couple the postsynaptic mGluR5 to the NMDA-receptor potentiation during LTP, and that this signaling mechanism is distinct from LTPAMPA. Differential enhancement of AMPAR and NMDA receptors by mGluR5 also supports a postsynaptic locus for LTP.

Threshold Firing Frequency–Current Relationships of Neurons in Rat Somatosensory Cortex: Type 1 and Type 2 Dynamics

2004 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 2283-2294 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Tateno ◽  
A. Harsch ◽  
H. P. C. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Somatosensory Cortex ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Firing Frequency ◽  
Spike Generation ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Subthreshold Oscillations ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Rat Somatosensory Cortex

Neurons and dynamical models of spike generation display two different types of threshold behavior, with steady current stimulation: type 1 [the firing frequency vs. current ( f– I) relationship is continuous at threshold) and type 2 (discontinuous f– I)]. The dynamics at threshold can have profound effects on the encoding of input as spikes, the sensitivity of spike generation to input noise, and the coherence of population firing. We have examined the f– I and frequency–conductance ( f– g) relationships of cells in layer 2/3 of slices of young (15–21 DIV) rat somatosensory cortex, focusing in detail on the nature of the threshold. Using white-noise stimulation, we also measured firing frequency and interspike interval variability as a function of noise amplitude. Regular-spiking (RS) pyramidal neurons show a type 1 threshold, consistent with their well-known ability to fire regularly at very low frequencies. In fast-spiking (FS) inhibitory interneurons, although regular firing is supported over a wide range of frequencies, there is a clear discontinuity in their f– I relationship at threshold (type 2), which has not previously been highlighted. FS neurons are unable to support maintained periodic firing below a critical frequency fc, in the range of 10 to 30 Hz. Very close to threshold, FS cells switch irregularly between bursts of periodic firing and subthreshold oscillations. These characteristics mean that the dynamics of RS neurons are well suited to encoding inputs into low-frequency firing rates, whereas the dynamics of FS neurons are suited to maintaining and quickly synchronizing to gamma and higher-frequency input.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors depress vagal and aortic baroreceptor signal transmission in the NTS

1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (5) ◽  
pp. H1682-H1694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi Liu ◽  
Chao-Yin Chen ◽  
Ann C. Bonham
Keyword(s):  
Glutamate Receptors ◽  
Glutamate Receptor ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor ◽  
Signal Transmission ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate ◽  
Frequency Stimulation ◽  
Glutamate Receptor Agonist

We sought to determine whether metabotropic glutamate receptors contribute to frequency-dependent depression of vagal and aortic baroreceptor signal transmission in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) in vivo. In α-chloralose-anesthetized rabbits, we determined the number of extracellular action potentials synaptically evoked by low (1 Hz)- or high-frequency vagal (3–20 Hz) or aortic depressor nerve (ADN) (6–80 Hz) stimulation and postsynaptically evoked by the ionotropic glutamate receptor agonist α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA). The metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist (2 S,1′ S,2′ S)-2-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (L-CCG-I) attenuated NTS responses monosynaptically evoked by 1-Hz vagus stimulation by 34% ( n = 25; P = 0.011), while augmenting AMPA-evoked responses by 64% ( n = 17; P = 0.026). The metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist α-methyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine (MPPG) did not affect NTS responses to low-frequency vagal stimulation ( n = 11) or AMPA ( n = 10) but augmented responses to high-frequency stimulation by 50% ( n= 25; P = 0.0001). MPPG also augmented NTS responses to high-frequency ADN stimulation by 35% ( n = 9; P = 0.048) but did not affect responses to low-frequency stimulation ( n = 9) or AMPA ( n = 7). The results suggest that metabotropic glutamate receptors, presumably at presynaptic sites, contribute to frequency-dependent depression of vagal and aortic baroreceptor signal transmission in NTS.

scholarly journals SNAP-tagged nanobodies enable reversible optical control of a G protein-coupled receptor via a remotely tethered photoswitchable ligand

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Farrants ◽  
Amanda Acosta Ruiz ◽  
Vanessa A. Gutzeit ◽  
Dirk Trauner ◽  
Kai Johnsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate ◽  
Extracellular Signals ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
G Protein Coupled

AbstractG protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate the transduction of extracellular signals into complex intracellular responses. Despite their ubiquitous roles in physiological processes and as drug targets for a wide range of disorders, the precise mechanisms of GPCR function at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels remain partially understood. In order to dissect the function of individual receptors subtypes with high spatiotemporal precision, various optogenetic and photopharmacological approaches have been reported that use the power of light for receptor activation and deactivation. Here, we introduce a novel and, to date, most remote way of applying photoswitchable orthogonally remotely-tethered ligands (PORTLs) by using a SNAP-tag fused nanobody. Our nanobody-photoswitch conjugates (NPCs) can be used to target a GFP-fused metabotropic glutamate receptor by either gene-free application of purified complexes or co-expression of genetically encoded nanobodies to yield robust, reversible control of agonist binding and subsequent downstream activation. By harboring and combining the selectivity and flexibility of both nanobodies and self-labelling enzymes, we set the stage for targeting endogenous receptors in vivo.

scholarly journals Periodic attention operates faster during more complex visual search

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garance Merholz ◽  
Laetitia Grabot ◽  
Rufin VanRullen ◽  
Laura Dugué
Keyword(s):  
Visual Search ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Task Complexity ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Search Performance ◽  
Set Size ◽  
Low Frequency Oscillations ◽  
Wide Range

AbstractAttention has been found to sample visual information periodically, in a wide range of frequencies below 20 Hz. This periodicity may be supported by brain oscillations at corresponding frequencies. We propose that part of the discrepancy in periodic frequencies observed in the literature is due to differences in attentional demands, resulting from heterogeneity in tasks performed. To test this hypothesis, we used visual search and manipulated task complexity, i.e., target discriminability (high, medium, low) and number of distractors (set size), while electro-encephalography was simultaneously recorded. We replicated previous results showing that the phase of pre-stimulus low-frequency oscillations predicts search performance. Crucially, such effects were observed at increasing frequencies within the theta-alpha range (6-18 Hz) for decreasing target discriminability. In medium and low discriminability conditions, correct responses were further associated with higher post-stimulus phase-locking than incorrect ones, in increasing frequency and latency. Finally, the larger the set size, the later the post-stimulus effect peaked. Together, these results suggest that increased complexity (lower discriminability or larger set size) requires more attentional cycles to perform the task, partially explaining discrepancies between reports of attentional sampling. Low-frequency oscillations structure the temporal dynamics of neural activity and aid top-down, attentional control for efficient visual processing.

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