scholarly journals Activity-Dependent Plasticity of Astroglial Potassium and Glutamate Clearance

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giselle Cheung ◽  
Jérémie Sibille ◽  
Jonathan Zapata ◽  
Nathalie Rouach
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Neuronal Activity ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Extracellular Potassium ◽  
Inward Currents ◽  
Frequency Stimulation ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Acute Hippocampal Slices

Recent evidence has shown that astrocytes play essential roles in synaptic transmission and plasticity. Nevertheless, how neuronal activity alters astroglial functional properties and whether such properties also display specific forms of plasticity still remain elusive. Here, we review research findings supporting this aspect of astrocytes, focusing on their roles in the clearance of extracellular potassium and glutamate, two neuroactive substances promptly released during excitatory synaptic transmission. Their subsequent removal, which is primarily carried out by glial potassium channels and glutamate transporters, is essential for proper functioning of the brain. Similar to neurons, different forms of short- and long-term plasticity in astroglial uptake have been reported. In addition, we also present novel findings showing robust potentiation of astrocytic inward currents in response to repetitive stimulations at mild frequencies, as low as 0.75 Hz, in acute hippocampal slices. Interestingly, neurotransmission was hardly affected at this frequency range, suggesting that astrocytes may be more sensitive to low frequency stimulation and may exhibit stronger plasticity than neurons to prevent hyperexcitability. Taken together, these important findings strongly indicate that astrocytes display both short- and long-term plasticity in their clearance of excess neuroactive substances from the extracellular space, thereby regulating neuronal activity and brain homeostasis.

Low-frequency stimulation at the troughs of theta-oscillation induces long-term depression of previously potentiated CA1 synapses

1996 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 877-884 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. T. Huerta ◽  
J. E. Lisman
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Field Potential ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Long Term Depression ◽  
Low Frequency Stimulation ◽  
Bath Application ◽  
Stable Conditions ◽  
Theta Frequency ◽  
Frequency Stimulation

1. The induction of long-term weakening of synaptic transmission in rat hippocampal slices was examined in CA1 synapses during cholinergic modulation. 2. Bath application of the cholinergic agonist carbachol (50 microM) activated an oscillation of the local field potential in the theta-frequency range (5-12 Hz), termed theta. It was previously shown that a stimulation train of 40 single shocks (at 0.1 Hz) to the Schaffer collateral-commisural afferents, each synchronized with positive peaks of theta, caused homosynaptic long-term enhancement in CA1. Furthermore, long-term depression (LTD) was sporadically observed when the stimulation train was given at negative troughs of theta. Here we have sought to determine stable conditions for LTD induction during theta. 3. Synaptic weakening was reliably obtained, by giving 40 shocks (at 0.1 Hz) at theta-troughs, only in pathways that had been previously potentiated. This decrement, termed theta-LTD, was synapse specific because it did not occur in an independent pathway not stimulated during theta. The interval between the initial potentiating tetanus and theta-LTD induction could be as long as 90 min. 4. theta-LTD could be saturated; after consecutive episodes of theta-LTD induction, no significant further depression was obtained. Moreover, theta-LTD could be reversed by tetanic stimulation. 5. theta-LTD could prevent the induction of LTD by 600-900 pulses at 1 Hz. This suggests that the two protocols may share common mechanisms at the synaptic level. 6. We conclude that single presynaptic spikes that occur at low frequency and are properly timed to the troughs of theta may be a relevant mechanism for decreasing the strength of potentiated synapses.

Long-Term Depression of Temporoammonic-CA1 Hippocampal Synaptic Transmission

1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 1036-1044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Dvorak-Carbone ◽  
Erin M. Schuman
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Calcium Influx ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Nmda Receptor Antagonist ◽  
Long Term Depression ◽  
Field Recordings ◽  
Old Rats ◽  
Inhibitory Components

Long-term depression of temporoammonic-CA1 hippocampal synaptic transmission. The temporoammonic pathway, the direct projection from layer III of the entorhinal cortex to area CA1 of the hippocampus, includes both excitatory and inhibitory components that are positioned to be an important source of modulation of the hippocampal output. However, little is known about synaptic plasticity in this pathway. We used field recordings in hippocampal slices prepared from mature (6- to 8-wk old) rats to study long-term depression (LTD) in the temporoammonic pathway. Low-frequency (1 Hz) stimulation (LFS) for 10 min resulted in a depression of the field response that lasted for ≥1 h. This depression was saturable by multiple applications of LFS. LTD induction was unaffected by the blockade of either fast (GABAA) or slow (GABAB) inhibition. Temporoammonic LTD was inhibited by the presence of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist AP5, suggesting a dependence on calcium influx. Full recovery from depression could be induced by high-frequency (100 Hz) stimulation (HFS); in the presence of the GABAA antagonist bicuculline, HFS induced recovery above the original baseline level. Similarly, HFS or θ-burst stimulation (TBS) applied to naive slices caused little potentiation, whereas HFS or TBS applied in the presence of bicuculline resulted in significant potentiation of the temporoammonic response. Our results show that, unlike the Schaffer collateral input to CA1, the temporoammonic input in mature animals is easy to depress but difficult to potentiate.

Novel Form of Long-Term Synaptic Depression in Rat Hippocampus Induced By Activation of α1 Adrenergic Receptors

2004 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 1071-1077 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cary L. Scheiderer ◽  
Lynn E. Dobrunz ◽  
Lori L. McMahon
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Receptor Antagonist ◽  
Adrenergic Receptors ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Adrenergic System ◽  
Normal Cognitive Function ◽  
Dependent Learning

Neurons located in the locus coeruleus project to hippocampus and provide noradrenergic innervation necessary for hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. The mechanisms underlying the function of norepinephrine (NE) in memory processing are unknown but likely reside in the ability of NE to modulate the efficacy of glutamate synaptic transmission via activation of G-protein-coupled adrenergic receptors. Here we show that application of NE to rat hippocampal slices in vitro induces a long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission at excitatory CA3–CA1 synapses that persists for ≥40 min after agonist washout. This LTD, which we refer to as NE LTD, is mediated by activation of α1 adrenergic receptors because the α1 agonist methoxamine can induce LTD at the same magnitude as that induced with the nonselective adrenergic agonist NE. Furthermore, NE LTD induced by either NE or methoxamine is blocked with the α1 receptor antagonist, prazosin, but is unaffected by antagonists of α2 and β receptors. This plasticity persists in the presence of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline, indicating that adrenergic modulation of GABAA receptor-mediated transmission does not underlie NE LTD. Induction of NE LTD requires presynaptic activity during agonist application and postsynaptic activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, fulfilling Hebbian criteria of coincident pre- and postsynaptic activity. The expression of NE LTD is likely to be postsynaptic because paired-pulse facilitation ratios during NE LTD expression are not different from baseline, similar to LTD induced by low-frequency stimulation. Thus we report the identification and characterization of a novel Hebbian form of LTD in hippocampus that is induced after activation of α1 adrenergic receptors. This plasticity may be a mechanism by which the adrenergic system participates in normal cognitive function.

scholarly journals NMDA receptor-dependent long-term depression in the lateral habenula: implications in physiology and depression

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miseon Kang ◽  
Jihyun Noh ◽  
Jun-mo Chung
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Neuronal Activity ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Induction Phase ◽  
Long Term Depression ◽  
Lateral Habenula ◽  
Promising Therapeutic Target ◽  
Frequency Stimulation

Abstract Abnormally increased neuronal activity in the lateral habenula (LHb) is closely associated with depressive-like behavior. Despite the emphasis on the pathological importance of NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent long-term depression (LTD) and the involvement of calcium permeable AMPA receptor (CP-AMPAR) as major Ca2+ source, the functions of NMDAR and CP-AMPAR on LTD modulation in the LHb still have not been fully investigated. Here, we found that NMDAR-dependent LTD by low frequency stimulation was induced in both synaptic and extrasynaptic regions in the LHb. In addition, CP-AMPAR was necessary for the activation of NMDAR in the induction phase of NMDAR-dependent LTD. The acute stress, which induced depressive behavior, had a blocked effect on synaptic NMDAR-dependent LTD but left extrasynaptic NMDAR-dependent LTD intact. These findings show that NMDAR-dependent LTD in LHb plays an important role in regulating neuronal activity, which is probable to be excessively increased by repeated stress, via maintaining homeostasis in both synaptic and extrasynaptic regions of the LHb. Moreover, NMDAR and CP-AMPAR may serve as a depression-related modulator and be regarded as a promising therapeutic target for treatment of psychopathology such as depression.

scholarly journals Low-frequency stimulation erases LTP through an NMDA receptor-mediated activation of protein phosphatases.

1994 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-139
Author(s):  
T J O'Dell ◽  
E R Kandel
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Protein Phosphatases ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
High Frequency Stimulation ◽  
Phosphatase Inhibitors ◽  
Ca1 Region ◽  
Protein Phosphatase Inhibitors ◽  
Frequency Stimulation

In the CA1 region of adult guinea pig hippocampal slices, long trains of theta frequency (5 Hz) stimulation produced a small enhancement of basal synaptic transmission but depressed the strength of synaptic transmission at synapses that had recently undergone long-term potentiation (LTP). Five hertz stimulation delivered immediately prior to high-frequency stimulation also inhibited the subsequent induction of LTP. The depression of potentiated synapses by 5 Hz stimulation (depotentiation) was blocked by 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate and was observed only during the early phases of LTP. Furthermore, the protein phosphatase inhibitors okadaic acid and calyculin A blocked both depotentiation and the ability of 5 Hz stimulation to inhibit subsequent LTP, suggesting that protein phosphatases are involved in the ability of 5 Hz stimulation to modulate synaptic plasticity in the CA1 region of the hippocampus.

Novel Form of LTD Induced by Transient, Partial Inhibition of the Na,K-Pump in Rat Hippocampal CA1 Cells

2004 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 239-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian G. Reich ◽  
Susanne E. Mason ◽  
Bradley E. Alger
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Bk Channels ◽  
P38 Map Kinase ◽  
Partial Inhibition ◽  
Low Frequency Stimulation ◽  
Hippocampal Ca1 ◽  
Frequency Stimulation ◽  
Selective Blocker

We tested the hypothesis that transient, partial inhibition of the Na,K-pumps could produce lasting effects on synaptic efficacy in brain tissue by applying a low concentration of the ouabain analogue, dihydroouabain (DHO), to hippocampal slices for 15 min and studying the effects on field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs). DHO caused a suppression of fEPSPs during the application period, but this recovered only partially, to ∼80% of control levels, after washout lasting as long as 2 h. The lasting suppression had several properties in common with low-frequency stimulation induced long-term depression (LFS-LTD), including an ability to depotentiate long-term potentiated responses. However, DHO-LTD was insensitive to blockade of N-methyl-d-aspartate or mGlu receptors or to inhibitors of protein kinase C or p38 MAP kinase. DHO-LTD did not co-occlude with LFS-LTD and therefore appears to represent a novel form of LTD. Interestingly, DHO-LTD could be prevented by pretreating slices with iberiotoxin, the selective blocker of large, Ca2+-dependent K+ channels (“big K,” BK channels), although this toxin did not affect basal fEPSPs. Certain pathological conditions, including hypoxia and ischemia, are associated with a decrease in Na,K-pump activity and hence DHO-LTD may serve as a model for the effects on neuronal function in these conditions.

scholarly journals Carbachol-Induced Long-Term Synaptic Depression Is Enhanced During Senescence at Hippocampal CA3–CA1 Synapses

2010 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 607-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashok Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cholinergic Receptor ◽  
Fischer 344 ◽  
Bath Application ◽  
Hippocampal Ca3 ◽  
Acute Hippocampal Slices

Dysregulation of the cholinergic transmitter system is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and contributes to an age-associated decline in memory performance. The current study examined the influence of carbachol, a cholinergic receptor agonist, on synaptic transmission over the course of aging. Extracellular excitatory postsynaptic field potentials were recorded from CA3–CA1 synapses in acute hippocampal slices obtained from young adult (5–8 mo) and aged (22–24 mo) male Fischer 344 rats. Bath application of carbachol elicited a transient depression of synaptic transmission, which was followed by a long-lasting depression (CCh-LTD) observed 90 min after carbachol cessation in both age groups. However, the magnitude of CCh-LTD was significantly larger in senescent animals and was attenuated by N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor blockade in aged animals. Blockade of L-type Ca2+ channels inhibited CCh-LTD to a greater extent in aged animals compared to young adults. Finally, the expression of CCh-LTD was dependent on protein synthesis. The results indicate that altered Ca2+ homeostasis or muscarinic activation of Ca2+ signaling contribute to the enhanced CCh-LTD during senescence.

Homeostatic plasticity induced by brief activity deprivation enhances long-term potentiation in the mature rat hippocampus

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3012-3022 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Félix-Oliveira ◽  
R. B. Dias ◽  
M. Colino-Oliveira ◽  
D. M. Rombo ◽  
A. M. Sebastião
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Relative Strength ◽  
Homeostatic Plasticity ◽  
Hebbian Plasticity ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Acute Hippocampal Slices

Different forms of plasticity occur concomitantly in the nervous system. Whereas homeostatic plasticity monitors and maintains neuronal activity within a functional range, Hebbian changes such as long-term potentiation (LTP) modify the relative strength of specific synapses after discrete changes in activity and are thought to provide the cellular basis for learning and memory. Here, we assessed whether homeostatic plasticity could influence subsequent LTP in acute hippocampal slices that had been briefly deprived of activity by blocking action potential generation and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation for 3 h. Activity deprivation enhanced the frequency and the amplitude of spontaneous miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents and enhanced basal synaptic transmission in the absence of significant changes in intrinsic excitability. Changes in the threshold for Hebbian plasticity were evaluated by inducing LTP with stimulation protocols of increasing strength. We found that activity-deprived slices consistently showed higher LTP magnitude compared with control conditions even when using subthreshold theta-burst stimulation. Enhanced LTP in activity-deprived slices was also observed when picrotoxin was used to prevent the modulation of GABAergic transmission. Finally, we observed that consecutive LTP inductions attained a higher magnitude of facilitation in activity-deprived slices, suggesting that the homeostatic plasticity mechanisms triggered by a brief period of neuronal silencing can both lower the threshold and raise the ceiling for Hebbian modifications. We conclude that even brief periods of altered activity are able to shape subsequent synaptic transmission and Hebbian plasticity in fully developed hippocampal circuits.

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