bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Giant, TTX-insensitive, inhibitory postsynaptic currents in cultured rat spinal cord and medullary neurons
Authors: Lewis C. A. , Faber D. S.
Published: December 2017

1. In whole cell patch-clamp studies on cultured rat embryonic spinal cord and medullary neurons bathed in tetrodotoxin, DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid, and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, large and long-lasting spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents were occasionally recorded. The amplitudes of these events were 1 order of magnitude larger than those of spontaneous miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Because these large currents had reduced amplitudes in calcium-free saline and in solutions containing glycinergic or GABAergic antagonists, we conclude that they were probably produced by large and prolonged release of glycine and/or 4-amino-n-butyric acid (GABA), which subsequently bind to their postsynaptic receptors. 2. The frequency of spontaneous miniature postsynaptic currents increased dramatically during the long, slow decay phase of these large postsynaptic currents. Considering the requirement for extracellular calcium for the occurrence of these large responses, we hypothesize that this increased frequency reflected an increased intracellular calcium concentration in the presynaptic terminal. 3. Similar evidence for large inhibitory postsynaptic currents and prolonged transmitter release was observed in cell-attached patches, which also exhibited the smaller, spontaneous miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents, suggesting that these large events are properties of single synaptic terminals. 4. A comparison of the properties of these large inhibitory postsynaptic currents recorded in whole cell mode or cell-attached patches showed no statistically significant differences. The overall mean values, then, are 13.9 +/- 1.6 (SE) ms and 4.5 +/- 0.5 s for the 10-90% rise time and duration, respectively. Furthermore, these large events had amplitudes that were 11-fold larger than the mean amplitude of the miniatures (i.e., mean amplitude ratio of 10.8 +/- 0.5). 5. Periodic large increases in the frequency of spontaneous miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents occurred in both cell-attached patches and in the whole cell mode, and these increases were only sometimes associated with the large inhibitory postsynaptic currents. The rhythmicity in both recording configurations had similar temporal characteristics, with average interburst intervals of 5 and 12–14 s. Presumably these bursts of spontaneous miniature postsynaptic currents reflected periodic oscillations in the Ca2+ concentration in presynaptic terminals. 6. Both the probability and the frequency of occurrence of large inhibitory postsynaptic currents doubled during the 7-day period of time in culture when experiments were performed, suggesting that these large currents may play a role during development.
Salt taste responses of mouse chorda tympani neurons: evidence for existence of two different amiloride-sensitive receptor components for NaCl with different temperature dependencies
Authors: Ninomiya Y.
Published: December 2017

1. Inhibitory effects of amiloride on salt responses of single fibers of the chorda tympani nerve of the C57BL/6 strain of mice were examined at two different temperatures (approximately 12 and 24 degrees C). 2. Of 36 single fibers that responded to NaCl, 20 fibers showed strong suppression of responses to NaCl actuated by lingual treatment with amiloride (amiloride-sensitive fibers), whereas the remaining 16 fibers showed no such amiloride inhibition (amiloride-insensitive fibers). 3. Twenty amiloride-sensitive fibers were further classified into two subgroups according to the temperature dependency of their NaCl responses. In 15 of 20 fibers, amiloride-inhibitable NaCl responses were larger at 24 degrees C than at 12 degrees C, whereas the reverse was true for the remaining 5 fibers. All amiloride-insensitive fibers showed smaller responses to NaCl at 12 degrees C. 4. These results suggest that there exist two different amiloride-sensitive receptor components for NaCl with different temperature dependencies in mouse taste cells: one is more sensitive to NaCl at the higher temperature, and the other is more sensitive at the lower temperature.
Suppression of the glutamate receptor delta 2 subunit produces a specific impairment in cerebellar long-term depression
Authors: Jeromin A. , Huganir R. L. , Linden D. J.
Published: December 2017

1. The role of the glutamate receptor subunit delta 2 in the induction of cerebellar long-term depression (LTD) was investigated by application of antisense oligonucleotides. The delta 2 subunit is selectively localized to Purkinje cells (PCs), with the highest levels being in the PC dendritic spines, where parallel fibers are received and where cerebellar LTD is expressed. 2. Immunocytochemical analysis of calbindin-positive PCs revealed that both the dendritic and somatic expression of delta 2 was reduced in antisense-but not in sense-treated cultures. An antisense oligonucleotide directed against the related subunit delta 1 did not affect the expression of delta 2 in PCs. 3. Cerebellar LTD may be reliably induced in a preparation of cultured embryonic cerebellar neurons from the mouse when parallel and climbing fiber stimulation are replaced by brief glutamate pulses and strong, direct depolarization of the PC, respectively. Application of an antisense oligonucleotide directed against delta 2 completely blocked the induction of LTD produced by glutamate/ depolarization conjunctive stimulation. A delta 2 sense oligonucleotide or an antisense oligonucleotide directed against the related delta 1 subunit had no effect. 4. The effect of the delta 2 antisense oligonucleotide was not related to attenuation of calcium influx via voltage-gated channels or calcium mobilization via metabotropic glutamate receptors, as assessed with fura-2 microfluorimetry. Current flow through alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid-receptor-associated ion channels also appeared unaltered. All three of these processes have previously been shown to be required for cerebellar LTD induction. The observation that delta 2 is involved in a metabotropic-glutamate-receptor-independent signaling pathway that is required for LTD induction supports the view that delta 2 participates in the formation of a novel postsynaptic receptor complex.
On bipolar cell responses in the teleost retina are generated by two distinct mechanisms
Authors: Grant G. B. , Dowling J. E.
Published: December 2017

1. ON Bipolar cells were recorded in slices obtained from hybrid bass retinas. Cells were identified as bipolar cells by position in the slice, by characteristic voltage- and ligand-gated currents, and by filling with the fluorescent dye Lucifer yellow. Cells were recorded with the use of either whole cell or perforated-patch techniques. Standard electrophysiological protocols were used. Drugs were applied by puffing and by local superfusion. 2. Application of exogenous glutamate to ON bipolar cells generated two characteristic responses. One effect of glutamate was to open a conductance with a reversal potential close to the chloride equilibrium potential. The other effect of glutamate was to close a conductance with a reversal potential near 0 mV. These two effects of glutamate on ON bipolar cells match the effects of light described previously with the use of intracellular recordings. Thus the effects of glutamate that we report here appear to underlie the rod and cone inputs to these cells. 3. Many of the ON bipolar cells recorded demonstrated both classes of responses to glutamate. To isolate the two responses, 500 microM glutamate was first applied, and then glutamate in the presence of 5 microM 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB). APB specifically blocks the effects of glutamate on the putative roddriven glutamate receptor (the glutamate-elicited conductance decrease), allowing us to study in isolation the effects of glutamate on the cone component, the glutamate-activated chloride current (IGlu). 4. By isolating IGlu as described above, and taking advantage of the fact that amphotericin-perforated-patch recordings limit the diffusion of chloride ions between the patch pipette and the cell body, we found the physiological reversal potential of IGlu to be -58.9 +/- 7.7 (SD) mV. 5. Both the putative rod- and cone-mediated glutamatergic inputs to these bipolar cells could be activated by driving the photoreceptors with puffs of potassium. The currents recorded with this technique were very similar to those seen with direct application of glutamate.
Mechanical response characteristics of the hearing organ in the low-frequency regions of the cochlea
Authors: Ulfendahl M. , Khanna S. M. , Fridberger A. , Flock A. , Flock B. , Jager W.
Published: December 2017

1. With the use of an in vitro preparation of the guinea pig temporal bone, in which the apical turns of the cochlea are exposed, the mechanical and electrical responses of the cochlea in the low-frequency regions were studied during sound stimulation. 2. The mechanical characteristics were investigated in the fourth and third turns of the cochlea with the use of laser heterodyne interferometry, which allows the vibratory responses of both sensory and supporting cells to be recorded. The electrical responses, which can be maintained for several hours, were recorded only in the most apical turn. 3. In the most apical turn, the frequency locations and shapes of the mechanical and electrical responses were very similar. 4. The shapes of the tuning curves and the spatial locations of the frequency maxima in the temporal bone preparation compared very favorably with published results from in vivo recordings of hair cell receptor potentials and sound-induced vibrations of the Reissner's membrane. 5. Compressive nonlinearities were present in both the mechanical and the electrical responses at moderate sound pressure levels. 6. The mechanical tuning changed along the length of the cochlea, the center frequencies in the fourth and third turns being approximately 280 and 570 Hz, respectively. 7. The mechanical responses of sensory and supporting cells were almost identical in shape but differed significantly in amplitude radially across the reticular lamina.
Dorsal root reflexes in articular afferents occur bilaterally in a chronic model of arthritis in rats
Authors: Rees H. , Sluka K. A. , Lu Y. , Westlund K. N. , Willis W. D.
Published: December 2017

1. Chronic arthritis was produced in rats by the injection of incomplete Freund's adjuvant into one knee joint. By 3–5 days later the rats had developed unilateral swelling of the injected knee and demonstrated bilateral hyperalgesia to radiant heat stimuli applied to the foot. 2. In the same rats anesthetized 3–5 days after the injection, dorsal root reflexes could be recorded bilaterally from the proximal ends of the cut medial articular nerves (MANs) of the knee joint. 3. The dorsal root reflexes consisted of large, medium-sized, and small action potentials evoked in response to phasic mechanical stimulation of the lateral aspect of the knee. The activity was greater in the MAN ipsilateral to the injection than in the contralateral MAN. 4. Local application of capsaicin on the side ipsilateral or contralateral to the arthritis dramatically reduced the dorsal root reflexes recorded from the contralateral MAN, indicating that these dorsal root reflexes depended on activity in fine afferent fibers containing capsaicin receptors, presumably C fibers. Local application of capsaicin on either side did not significantly change the dorsal root reflexes recorded from the ipsilateral MAN. These dorsal root reflexes were presumably conducted in afferent fibers that lacked capsaicin receptors, including A beta- and A delta-fibers.
Electric field suppression of epileptiform activity in hippocampal slices
Authors: Gluckman B. J. , Neel E. J. , Netoff T. I. , Ditto W. L. , Spano M. L. , Schiff S. J.
Published: December 2017

1. The effects of relatively small external DC electric fields on synchronous activity in CA1 and CA3 from transverse and longitudinal type hippocampal slices were studied. 2. To record neuronal activity during significant field changes, differential DC amplification was employed with a reference electrode aligned along an isopotential with the recording electrode. 3. Suppression of epileptiform activity was observed in 31 of 33 slices independent of region studied and type of slice but was highly dependent on field orientation with respect to the apical dendritic-somatic axis. 4. Modulation of neuronal activity in these experiments was readily observed at field strengths < or = 5–10 mV/mm. Suppression was seen with the field oriented (positive to negative potential) from the soma to the apical dentrites. 5. In vivo application of these results may be feasible.
1S,3R-ACPD Induces a Region of Negative Slope Conductance in the Steady-State Current-Voltage Relationship of Hippocampal Pyramidal Cells
Authors: Lüthi Anita , Gähwiler Beat H. , Gerber Urs
Published: December 2017

Lüthi, Anita, Beat H. Gähwiler, and Urs Gerber. 1 S,3 R-ACPD induces a region of negative slope conductance in the steady-state current-voltage relationship of hippocampal pyramidal cells. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 221–228, 1997. Synaptic responses mediated by metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) display a marked voltage-dependent increase in amplitude when neurons are moderately depolarized beyond membrane potential. We have investigated the basis for this apparent nonlinear behavior by activatingmGluRs with 1 S,3 R-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylate(1 S,3 R-ACPD; 10 μM) in CA3 pyramidal cells from rat hippocampal slice cultures with the use of the single-electrode voltage-clamp technique. Under control conditions, cells depolarized from resting potential by 10–20 mV responded with delayed outwardly rectifying currents due to activation of voltage- and Ca2+-dependent K+ conductances. In contrast, in the continuous presence of 1 S,3 R-ACPD, small depolarizations (10–20 mV) induced a delayed inward current. The steady-state current-voltage relationship for this response displayed a region of negative slope conductance at potentials between −55 and −40 mV. The reversal potential of the corresponding 1 S,3 R-ACPD-sensitive tail currents (−93.0 ± 2.2 mV, mean ± SE) was close to the potassium reversal potential, consistent with an mGluR-mediated suppression of K+ current. When external K+ concentration was increased to 8 mM, there was a positive shift in reversal potential to −76.9 ± 5.1 mV. The depolarization-induced inward current in the presence of 1 S,3 R-ACPD was blocked by Ba2+ (1 mM). The response was not dependent on changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and was insensitive to bath-applied Cs+ (1 mM), ruling out a contribution of Ca2+-dependent currents or the inward rectifier I Q. Furthermore, the effect of 1 S,3 R-ACPD was not mimicked by inhibiting afterhyperpolarizing current and M current with low-Ca2+ saline (0.5 mM Ca2+, 10 mM Mg2+) containing 10 mM tetraethylammonium chloride. A comparison of the responses induced by 1 S,3 R-ACPD and N-methyl-d-aspartate showed that both induce an inward current with small depolarizations from resting potential but with different kinetics and Mg2+ sensitivity. These results indicate that the suppression of K+ currents in response to activation of mGluRs is markedly voltage dependent, increasing at depolarized potentials and decreasing at hyperpolarized potentials. The negative slope conductance at membrane voltages positive to resting potential may underlie the amplification of mGluR-mediated responses when the membrane potential approaches action potential threshold.
TTX-Sensitive and -Resistant Na+Currents, and mRNA for the TTX-Resistant rH1 Channel, Are Expressed in B104 Neuroblastoma Cells
Authors: Gu Xiang Q. , Dib-Hajj Sulayman , Rizzo Marco A. , Waxman Stephen G.
Published: December 2017

Gu, Xiang Q., Sulayman Dib-Hajj, Marco A. Rizzo, and Stephen G. Waxman. TTX-sensitive and -resistant Na+currents, and mRNA for the TTX-resistant rH1 channel, are expressed in B104 neuroblastoma cells. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 236–246, 1997. To examine the molecular basis for membrane excitability in a neuroblastoma cell line, we used whole cell patch-clamp methods and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to study Na+currents and channels in B104 cells. We distinguished Tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive and -resistant Na+currents and detected the mRNA for the cardiac rH1 channel in B104 cells. Na+currents could be recorded in 65% of cells. In the absence of TTX, mean peak Na+current density was 126 ± 19 pA/pF, corresponding to a channel density of 2.7 ± 0.4/μ2(mean ± SE). Time-to-peak (t-peak), activation (τm), and inactivation time constants (τh) for Na+currents in B104 cells were 1.0 ± 0.04, 0.4 ± 0.06, and0.9 ± 0.04 ms at −10 mV. The peak conductance-voltage relationship had a V1/2of −39.8 ± 1.5 mV. V1/2for steady-state inactivation was −81.6 ± 1.5 mV. TTX-sensitive and -resistant components of the Na current had half-maximal inhibitions (IC50), respectively, of 1.2 nM and, minimally, 575.5 nM. The TTX-sensitive and-resistant Na+currents were kinetically distinct; time-to-peak, τm, and τhfor TTX-sensitive currents were shorter than for TTX-resistant currents. Steady-state voltage dependence of the two currents was indistinguishable. The presence of TTX-sensitive and-resistant Na+currents, which are pharmacologically and kinetically distinct, led us to search for mRNAs known to be associated with TTX-resistant channels, in addition to the α subunit mRNAs, which have previously been shown to be expressed in these cells. Using RT-PCR and restriction enzyme mapping, we were unable to detect αSNS, but detected mRNA for rH1, which is known to encode a TTX-resistant channel, in B104 cells. B104 neuroblastoma cells thus express TTX-sensitive and -resistant Na+currents. These appear to be encoded by neuronal-type and cardiac Na+channel mRNAs including the RH1 transcript. This cell line may be useful for studies on the rH1 channel, which is known to be mutated in the long-QT syndrome.
Frequency Tuning and Spontaneous Activity in the Auditory Nerve and Cochlear Nucleus Magnocellularis of the Barn Owl Tyto alba
Authors: Köppl Christine
Published: December 2017

Köppl, Christine. Frequency tuning and spontaneous activity in the auditory nerve and cochlear nucleus magnocellularis of the barn owl Tyto alba. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 364–377, 1997. Single-unit recordings were obtained from the brain stem of the barn owl at the level of entrance of the auditory nerve. Auditory nerve and nucleus magnocellularis units were distinguished by physiological criteria, with the use of the response latency to clicks, the spontaneous discharge rate, and the pattern of characteristic frequencies encountered along an electrode track. The response latency to click stimulation decreased in a logarithmic fashion with increasing characteristic frequency for both auditory nerve and nucleus magnocellularis units. The average difference between these populations was 0.4–0.55 ms. The most sensitive thresholds were ∼0 dB SPL and varied little between 0.5 and 9 kHz. Frequency-threshold curves showed the simple V shape that is typical for birds, with no indication of a low-frequency tail. Frequency selectivity increased in a gradual, power-law fashion with increasing characteristic frequency. There was no reflection of the unusual and greatly expanded mapping of higher frequencies on the basilar papilla of the owl. This observation is contrary to the equal-distance hypothesis that relates frequency selectivity to the spatial respresentation in the cochlea. On the basis of spontaneous rates and/or sensitivity there was no evidence for distinct subpopulations of auditory nerve fibers, such as the well-known type I afferent response classes in mammals. On the whole, barn owl auditory nerve physiology conformed entirely to the typical patterns seen in other bird species. The only exception was a remarkably small spread of thresholds at any one frequency, this being only 10–15 dB in individual owls. Average spontaneous rate was 72.2 spikes/s in the auditory nerve and 219.4 spikes/s for nucleus magnocellularis. This large difference, together with the known properties of endbulb-of-Held synapses, suggests a convergence of ∼2–4 auditory nerve fibers onto one nucleus magnocellularis neuron. Some auditory nerve fibers as well as nucleus magnocellularis units showed a quasiperiodic spontaneous discharge with preferred intervals in the time-interval histogram. This phenomenon was observed at frequencies as high as 4.7 kHz.
Computer Simulation of the Responses of Human Motoneurons to Composite 1A EPSPS: Effects of Background Firing Rate
Authors: Jones Kelvin E. , Bawa Parveen
Published: December 2017

Jones, Kelvin E. and Parveen Bawa. Computer simulation of the responses of human motoneurons to composite 1A EPSPS: effects of background firing rate. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 405–420, 1997. Two compartmental models of spinal alpha motoneurons were constructed to explore the relationship between background firing rate and response to an excitatory input. The results of these simulations were compared with previous results obtained from human motoneurons and discussed in relation to the current model for repetitively firing human motoneurons. The morphologies and cable parameters of the models were based on two type-identified cat motoneurons previously reported in the literature. Each model included five voltage-dependent channels that were modeled using Hodgkin-Huxley formalism. These included fast Na+ and K+ channels in the initial segment and fast Na+ and K+ channels as well as a slow K+ channel in the soma compartment. The density and rate factors for the slow K+ channel were varied until the models could reproduce single spike AHP parameters for type-identified motoneurons in the cat. Excitatory synaptic conductances were distributed along the equivalent dendrites with the same density described for la synapses from muscle spindles to type-identified cat motoneurons. Simultaneous activation of all synapses on the dendrite resulted in a large compound excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP). Brief depolarizing pulses injected into a compartment of the equivalent dendrite resulted in pulse potentials (PPs), which resembled the compound EPSPs. The effects of compound EPSPs and PPs on firing probability of the two motoneuron models were examined during rhythmic firing. Peristimulus time histograms, constructed between the stimulus and the spikes of the model motoneuron, showed excitatory peaks whose integrated time course approximated the time course of the underlying EPSP or PP as has been shown in cat motoneurons. The excitatory peaks were quantified in terms of response probability, and the relationship between background firing rate and response probability was explored. As in real human motoneurons, the models exhibited an inverse relationship between response probability and background firing rate. The biophysical properties responsible for the relationship between response probability and firing rate included the shapes of the membrane voltage trajectories between spikes and nonlinear changes in PP amplitude during the interspike interval at different firing rates. The results from these simulations suggest that the relationship between response probability and background firing rate is an intrinsic feature of motoneurons. The similarity of the results from the models, which were based on the properties of cat motoneurons, and those from human motoneurons suggests that the biophysical properties governing rhythmic firing in human motoneurons are similar to those of the cat.
Na+-Ca2+Exchange in Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons
Authors: Verdru P. , Greef C. De , Mertens L. , Carmeliet E. , Callewaert G.
Published: December 2017

Verdru, P., C. De Greef, L. Mertens, E. Carmeliet, and G. Callewaert. Na+-Ca2+exchange in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 484–490, 1997. The role of the Na+-Ca2+exchanger was examined in isolated rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Neurons were dialyzed with the Ca2+indicator Indo-1. Ca2+transients were elicited by depolarizing the cells from −80 to 0 mV for 100 ms under voltage clamp conditions. In most cells (45 of 67), the decay of intracellular Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i) could be fitted with a single exponential with a time constant of 2.43 s. In the remaining 22 cells, the decay of [Ca2+]icould be described with a double exponential with time constants of 0.76 and 11.84 s. In cells that displayed a biphasic [Ca2+]irelaxation, Na+-free medium caused resting [Ca2+]ito increase from 116 to 186 nM; the slow component of recovery to basal [Ca2+]iwas nearly abolished in Na+-free medium or by application of 5 mM Ni2+. In 35 of 45 cells displaying a monophasic [Ca2+]idecay, omitting external Na+increased the time constant of [Ca2+]idecay from 2.02 to 3.63 s. In the remaining 10 cells, Na+-free solution did not affect Ca2+handling. The time constant of [Ca2+]irelaxation was voltage dependent. These findings demonstrate the important role of the Na+-Ca2+exchanger in DRG neurons. Its presence was further confirmed both at the mRNA and the protein level.
AMPA-Preferring Receptors Mediate Excitatory Synaptic Inputs to Retinal Ganglion Cells
Authors: Lukasiewicz Peter D. , Wilson James A. , Lawrence Jean E.
Published: December 2017

Lukasiewicz, Peter D., James A. Wilson, and Jean E. Lawrence. AMPA-preferring receptors mediate excitatory synaptic inputs to retinal ganglion cells. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 57–64, 1997. Pharmacological studies were performed to determine whether α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoazoleprionic acid (AMPA)- and/or kainate (KA)-preferring receptors mediate excitatory synaptic inputs to tiger salamander retinal ganglion cells. Excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs), evoked either by light or by stimulating bipolar cells with puffs of K+, were measured using whole cell recording techniques in the tiger salamander retinal slice. The AMPA/KA component of the EPSCs was isolated by including antagonists of glycine-, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)- and NMDA-receptors in the bath. The AMPA-preferring receptor antagonists, 1-(4-aminophenyl)-4-methyl-7,8-methylenedioxy-5H-2,3-benzodiazepine hydrochloride (GYKI-52466) and 1-(4-aminophenyl)-3-methylcarbamyl - 4 - methyl - 7,8 - methylenedioxy - 3,4 - dihydro - 5H - 2,3 - benzodiazepine (GYKI-53665), reduced light-evoked EPSCs and K+puff-evoked EPSCs amplitudes in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50values for GYKI-52466 were 3.6 and 4.2 μM for the light- and puff-evoked responses, respectively. The more potent GYKI-53665 had IC50values of 0.7 μM for both the light- and puff evoked responses. KA activates both KA- and AMPA-preferring receptors. KA-evoked currents were completely blocked by 10–40 μM GYKI-53665, indicating that little or no excitatory synaptic current was mediated by KA-preferring receptors. Concanavalin A, a compound that preferentially potentiates responses mediated by KA-preferring receptors, did not enhance either EPSCs or glutamate-evoked responses. By contrast, cyclothiazide, which selectively enhances AMPA-preferring receptor mediated responses, was found to enhance both EPSCs and glutamate-evoked currents. Our results indicate that the non-NMDA component of ganglion cell EPSCs is mediated by AMPA-preferring receptors and not significantly by KA-preferring receptors.
Subgroups of Rostral Ventrolateral Medullary and Caudal Medullary Raphe Neurons Based on Patterns of Relationship to Sympathetic Nerve Discharge and Axonal Projections
Authors: Barman Susan M. , Gebber Gerard L.
Published: December 2017

Barman, Susan M. and Gerard L. Gebber. Subgroups of rostral ventrolateral medullary and caudal medullary raphe neurons based on patterns of relationship to sympathetic nerve discharge and axonal projections. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 65–75, 1997. This study was designed to answer three questions concerning rostral ventrolateral medullary (RVLM) and caudal medullary raphe (CMR) neurons with activity correlated to sympathetic nerve discharge (SND). 1) What are the proportions of RVLM and CMR neurons that have activity correlated to both the cardiac-related and 10-Hz rhythms in SND, to only the 10-Hz rhythm, and to only the cardiac-related rhythm? 2) Which of these cell types project to the spinal cord? 3) Do the outputs of the cardiac-related and 10-Hz rhythm generators converge at the level of bulbospinal neurons or their antecedent interneurons? To address these issues we recorded from 44 RVLM and 48 CMR neurons with sympathetic nerve–related activity in urethan-anesthetized cats with intact carotid sinus nerves, but sectioned aortic depressor and vagus nerves. Spike-triggered averaging, arterial pulse-triggered analysis, and coherence analysis revealed that the naturally occurring discharges of 24 of these RVLM neurons and 41 of these CMR neurons were correlated to both the 10-Hz and cardiac-related rhythms in inferior cardiac postganglionic SND. The discharges of the other neurons were correlated to only the 10-Hz rhythm (15 RVLM and 6 CMR neurons) or to only the cardiac-related rhythm (5 RVLM neurons and 1 CMR neuron) in SND. The time-controlled collision test verified that 16 of 18 RVLM and 31 of 34 CMR neurons with activity correlated to both rhythms were antidromically activated by stimulation of the white matter of the first thoracic (T1) segment of the spinal cord. In contrast, only 1 of 10 RVLM neurons and 0 of 4 CMR neurons with activity correlated to only the 10-Hz rhythm could be antidromically activated by stimulation at T1. Also 0 of 3 RVLM neurons with activity correlated to only the cardiac-related rhythm in SND were antidromically activated by spinal stimulation. These data show for the first time that bulbospinal sympathetic pathways emanating from the RVLM and CMR are comprised almost exclusively of neurons whose discharges are correlated to both the cardiac-related and 10-Hz rhythms in SND. Moreover, the data support the hypothesis that the outputs of the cardiac-related and 10-Hz rhythm generators converge on RVLM and CMR bulbospinal neurons rather than on their antecedent interneurons. Finally, the data demonstrate that a substantial proportion of RVLM neurons and a small group of CMR neurons with activity correlated to SND do not project to the thoracic spinal cord. Their discharges were correlated to only one of the rhythms in SND. Their axonal trajectories and functions are unknown.
Heptanol But Not Fluoroacetate Prevents the Propagation of Spreading Depression in Rat Hippocampal Slices
Authors: Largo Carlota , Tombaugh Geoffrey C. , Aitken Peter G. , Herreras Oscar , Somjen George G.
Published: December 2017

Largo, Carlota, Geoffrey C. Tombaugh, Peter G. Aitken, Oscar Herreras, and George G. Somjen. Heptanol but not fluoroacetate prevents the propagation of spreading depression in rat hippocampal slices. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 9–16, 1997. We investigated whether heptanol and other long-chain alcohols that are known to block gap junctions interfere with the generation or the propagation of spreading depression (SD). Waves of SD were triggered by micro-injection of concentrated KCl solution in stratum (s.) radiatum of CA1 of rat hippocampal tissue slices. DC-coupled recordings of extracellular potential ( V o) were made at the injection and at a second site ∼1 mm distant in st. radiatum and sometimes also in st. pyramidale. Extracellular excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) were evoked by stimulation of the Schaffer collateral bundle; in some experiments, antidromic population spikes were evoked by stimulation of the alveus. Bath application of 3 mM heptanol or 5 mM hexanol completely and reversibly prevented the propagation of the SD-related potential shift (Δ V o) without abolishing the Δ V o at the injection site. Octanol (1 mM) had a similar but less reliably reversible effect. fEPSPs were depressed by ∼30% by heptanol and octanol, 65% by hexanol. Antidromic population spikes were depressed by 30%. In isolated, patch-clamped CA1 pyramidal neurons, heptanol partially and reversibly depressed voltage-dependent Na currents possibly explaining the slight depression of antidromic spikes and, by acting on presynaptic action potentials, also the depression of fEPSPs. Fluoroacetate (FAc), a putative selective blocker of glial metabolism, first induced multiple spike firing in response to single afferent volleys and then severely suppressed synaptic transmission (confirming earlier reports) without depressing the antidromic population spike. FAc did not inhibit SD propagation. The effect of alkyl alcohols is compatible with the idea that the opening of normally closed neuronal gap junctions is required for SD propagation. Alternative possible explanations include interference with the lipid phase of neuron membranes. The absence of SD inhibition by FAc confirms that synaptic transmission is not necessary for the propagation of SD, and it suggests that normally functioning glial cells are not essential for SD generation or propagation.
Signaling of Object Approach by the DCMD Neuron of the Locust
Authors: Rind F. Claire , Simmons Peter J.
Published: December 2017

Rind, F. Claire and Peter J. Simmons. Signaling of object approach by the DCMD neuron of the locust. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 1029–1033, 1997. The locust descending contralateral motion detector (DCMD) responds to movements anywhere within a wide visual field, but responds most strongly to the images of approaching objects. It has been claimed that the response peaks before the end of an approach movement, providing a signal that anticipates collision. However, we find that when the locust eye is presented with appropriate computer-generated images of approaching objects, the response builds up until after movement has stopped. Premature peaking in the response is due to failure to stimulate the eye with sufficiently small and frequent jumps in image edges. We conclude that the DCMD signals impending collision by tracking edge motion throughout object approach.
Increased Excitability and Inward Rectification in Layer V Cortical Pyramidal Neurons in the Epileptic Mutant MouseStargazer
Authors: Pasquale Eric Di , Keegan Karl D. , Noebels Jeffrey L.
Published: December 2017

Di Pasquale, Eric, Karl D. Keegan, and Jeffrey L. Noebels. Increased excitability and inward rectification in layer V cortical pyramidal neurons in the epileptic mutant mouse stargazer. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 621–631, 1997. The excitability of layer V cortical pyramidal neurons was studied in vitro in the single-locus mutant mouse stargazer ( stg), a genetic model of spike wave epilepsy. Field recordings in neocortical slices from mutant mice bathed in artificial cerebrospinal fluid revealed spontaneous synchronous network discharges that were never present in wild-type slices. Intracellular and whole cell recordings from stg/ stg neurons in deep layers showed spontaneous giant depolarizing excitatory postsynaptic potentials generating bursts of action potentials, and a 78% reduction in the afterburst hyperpolarization. Whole cell recordings revealed gene-linked differences in active membrane properties in two types of regular spiking neurons. Single action potential rise and decay times were reduced, and the rheobase current was decreased by 68% in mutant cells. Plots of spike frequency-current relationships revealed that the gain of this relation was augmented by 29% in the mutant. Comparisons of visually identified pyramidal neuron firing properties in both genotypes revealed no difference in single action potential afterhyperpolarization. Voltage-clamp recordings showed an approximately threefold amplitude increase in a cesium-sensitive inward rectifier. No cell density or soma size differences were observed in the layer V pyramidal neuron population between the two genotypes. These results demonstrate an autonomous increase in cortical network excitability in a genetic epilepsy model. This defect could lower the threshold for aberrant thalamocortical spike wave oscillations in vivo, and may contribute to the mechanism of one form of inherited absence epilepsy.
Effect of Interstimulus Interval on Pairing-Induced LTP ofAplysiaSensorimotor Synapses in Cell Culture
Authors: Lin Xiang Y. , Glanzman David L.
Published: December 2017

Lin, Xiang Y. and David L. Glanzman. Effect of interstimulus interval on pairing-induced LTP of Aplysia sensorimotor synapses in cell culture. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 667–674, 1997. Long-term potentiation of Aplysia sensorimotor synapses (apLTP) can be induced in Hebbian fashion by pairing brief tetanic stimulation of the sensory neuron with depolarization of the motor neuron. It has been proposed that Hebbian apLTP plays a significant role in classical conditioning of the defensive withdrawal reflex of Aplysia. However, as originally demonstrated, Hebbian apLTP is induced by simultaneous pairing of sensory neuron stimulation and motor neuron depolarization, whereas in the Aplysia classical conditioning paradigm the onset of the conditioned stimulus (CS) precedes the onset of the unconditioned stimulus (US) by 0.5 s. Therefore, if Hebbian apLTP does indeed mediate classical conditioning in Aplysia, temporally offset delivery of presynaptic stimulation and postsynaptic depolarization must be able to support apLTP. To ascertain whether temporally offset pre- and postsynaptic stimuli can support apLTP, we varied the interstimulus interval (ISI) between the onset of presynaptic tetanus and the onset of postsynaptic depolarization. In the first set of experiments we determined the amount of potentiation that results from varying the temporal interval between the onset of a single presynaptic tetanus and the onset of a single bout of postsynaptic depolarization. The ISI between the onset of the two stimuli ranged from 0.0 to 5.0 s. Significant apLTP was obtained with ISIs of 0.0 and 0.5 s, but the amount of potentiation was independent of the order in which the presynaptic and postsynaptic stimuli were delivered. Because classical conditioning of the withdrawal reflex in Aplysia is dependent on the temporal order of the CS and US, in a second set of experiments we compared the efficacy of forward and backward pairing of pre- and postsynaptic stimulation with the use of a conditioning-like protocol. Forward pairing and backward pairing (0.5-s ISI) yielded equal amounts of apLTP. These data raise questions for the hypothesis that Hebbian apLTP mediates classical conditioning of the withdrawal reflex in Aplysia. Our results indicate that Hebbian apLTP alone cannot fully account for classical conditioning in Aplysia. An additional cellular mechanism is required to explain the temporal specificity present in the behavioral results.
Dihydropyridine- and Neurotoxin-Sensitive and -Insensitive Calcium Currents in Acutely Dissociated Neurons of the Rat Central Amygdala
Authors: Yu Baojian , Shinnick-Gallagher Patricia
Published: December 2017

Yu, Baojian and Patricia Shinnick-Gallagher. Dihydropyridine- and neurotoxin-sensitive and -insensitive calcium currents in acutely dissociated neurons of the rat central amygdala. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 690–701, 1997. The central amygdala (CeA) is an area involved in emotional learning and stress, and identification of Ca2+currents is essential to understanding interneuronal communication through this nucleus. The purpose of this study was to separate and characterize dihydropyridine (DHP)- and neurotoxin-sensitive and -resistant components of the whole cell Ca2+current ( ICa) in acutely dissociated rat CeA neurons with the use of whole cell patch-clamp recording. Saturating concentrations of nimodipine (NIM, 5 μM), a DHP antagonist, blocked 22% of ICa; this NIM-sensitive (L-type) current was recorded in 68% of CeA neurons. The DHP agonist Bay K 8644 (5 μM) produced a 36% increase in ICain a similar proportion of CeA neurons (70%). ω-Conotoxin GVIA (CgTx GVIA, 1 μM) in saturating concentrations inhibited 30% of ICa, whereas ω-agatoxin IVA (Aga IVA, 100 nM), in concentrations known to block P-type currents, did not affect ICa. Higher concentrations of Aga IVA (1 μM) alone reduced ICaby 34%, but in the presence of NIM (5 μM) and CgTx GVIA (1 μM) blocked only 18% of ICa. ω-Conotoxin MVIIC (CgTx MVIIC, 250 nM) reduced ICaby 13% in the presence of CgTx GVIA (1 μM). Application of NIM (5 mM), CgTx GVIA (1 μM), and Aga IVA (1 μM) blocked ∼67% of ICa. A similar portion (63%) of Ca2+current was blocked with CgTx MVIIC (250 nM) in the presence of NIM (5 μM) and CgTx GVIA (1 μM). The current resistant to NIM and the neurotoxins represented 37% of ICa, whereas in neurons not having L-type currents the resistant current made up ∼53% of ICa(49 ± 2%, mean ± SE). The resistant current activated at around −40 mV and peaked at ∼0 mV with half-activation and -inactivation potentials of −17 and −58 mV and slopes for activation and inactivation of −5 and 13 mV, respectively. The resistant current was sensitive to Cd2+(IC50= 2.5 μM) and Ni2+(IC50= 86 μM), was larger in Ca2+than in Ba2+(ratio = 1.31:1), and showed a moderate rate of decay. In summary, our results show that the high-voltage-activated calcium current in rat CeA neurons is composed of at least four pharmacologically distinct components: L-type current (NIM sensitive, 22%), N-type current (CgTx GVIA sensitive, 30%), Q-type current [Aga IVA (1 μM) and CgTx MVIIC sensitive, ∼13–18%], and a resistant current (Non-L, -N, and -Q current, 33 ∼ 37%), amounting to 37–53% of the total current. The resistant current has some electrophysiological and pharmacological characteristics in common with doe-1, α1E, and R-type calcium currents, but remains unclassified.
Classifying Illusory Contours: Edges Defined by “Pacman” and Monocular Tokens
Authors: Westheimer Gerald , Li Wu
Published: December 2017

Westheimer, Gerald and Wu Li. Classifying illusory contours: edges defined by “pacman” and monocular tokens. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 731–736, 1997. Thresholds for the discrimination of orientation were measured in the human fovea for figures and borders delineated by solid lines and by “pacman” tokens as introduced by Kanizsa, as well as by contours induced by monocular tokens giving a stereoscopic depth illusion of a knife edge. Orientation discrimination of these illusory contours is poorer by a factor of ∼2 than that of equivalent contours made of solid lines and is not much better than that for their supporting structures if taken alone. It is concluded that these kinds of illusory borders do not address the “border” or “edge” mechanism in the same way as real lines. Orientation discrimination and simultaneous orientation contrast (tilt illusion) were compared for a variety of illusory borders. The more robust the borders, i.e., the more sensitive to changes in orientation, the less their susceptibility to the tilt illusion.
Induction of LTD in the Dentate Gyrus In Vitro Is NMDA Receptor Independent, but Dependent on Ca2+Influx via Low-Voltage–Activated Ca2+Channels and Release of Ca2+From Intracellular Stores
Authors: Wang Yue , Rowan Michael J. , Anwyl Roger
Published: December 2017

Wang, Yue, Michael J. Rowan, and Roger Anwyl. Induction of LTD in the dentate gyrus in vitro is NMDA receptor independent, but dependent on Ca2+influx via low-voltage-activated Ca2+channels and release of Ca2+from intracellular stores. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 812–825, 1997. The mechanisms of the induction of long-term depression (LTD) of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and whole cell patch-clamped excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were studied in the dentate gyrus of the rat hippocampus. LTD of field EPSPs measuring 40% of control at 30 min poststimulation was induced by low-frequency stimulation consisting of 900 pulses at 1 Hz. LTD of EPSCs measuring 37% of control was induced by a pairing procedure consisting of 60 pulses at 1 Hz applied under voltage clamp at a holding potential of −40 mV. The induction of LTD of field EPSPs was dependent on an influx of extracellular calcium, being reduced in a low-Ca2+(0.8 mM) medium. However, substantial LTD (26%) was still induced in such a medium, demonstrating the relatively low sensitivity of LTD induction to the level of extracellular Ca2+. A high concentration of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist d(−)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (d-AP5) (100 μM) did not significantly inhibit the induction of LTD of EPSCs evoked by the intracellular pairing procedure. d-AP5 partially reduced the magnitude of LTD of field EPSPs, but substantial LTD was still induced in the presence of AP5. The induction of LTD was strongly inhibited by Ni2+(50 μM) but not by nifedipine (10 μM), indicating that Ca2+influx via T-type, but not L-type, Ca2+channels is required for the induction of LTD. The induction of LTD was strongly inhibited by thapsigargin, an agent known to deplete intracellular Ca2+stores. The induction of LTD, but not long-term potentiation (LTP), was also strongly inhibited by ruthenium red, an agent known to block the ryanodine receptors located on intracellular Ca2+stores. These results demonstrate that Ca2+release from intracellular Ca2+stores is required for the induction of LTD, but not LTP. The results of the present experiments suggest that the induction of LTD involves the entry of Ca2+via low-voltage–activated voltage-gated Ca2+channels followed by release of Ca2+from intracellular ryanodine-receptor-sensitive Ca2+stores.