大鼠视皮层中脑源性神经营养因子及γ-氨基丁酸表达的年龄相关性变化

目的 比较不同年龄组大鼠初级视皮层中脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）及抑制性神经递质γ-氨基丁酸（GABA）表达的年龄相关性变化，为探讨老年性视觉功能衰退的细胞分子机制提供线索。方法 Nissl染色显示视皮层分层并用于神经元计数；免疫组织化学法标记大鼠视皮层中BDNF及GABA免疫阳性神经元。光镜下观察并用Image-Pro Express 6.0分析软件进行细胞密度统计和免疫反应吸光度值测量。结果 青年、中年及老年组(每组n=6)大鼠初级视皮层各层的神经元平均密度差异不显著；但与青年组大鼠相比，中年组及老年组大鼠初级视皮层各层中BDNF及GABA免疫阳性神经元密度显著下降，BDNF及GABA免疫反应强度明显减弱；与中年组大鼠相比，老年组大鼠视皮层各层中BDNF及GABA免疫阳性神经元密度及其反应强度亦明显降低。在衰老过程中，大鼠初级视皮层各层内GABA表达的减少与BDNF表达的降低具有高度的相关性。结论 大鼠初级视皮层中BDNF和GABA的表达随着衰老出现进行性下降，衰老过程中BDNF分泌的减少可能引起脑内抑制性神经递质GABA表达下调，这可能是介导老年性视觉功能衰退的重要途径之一。     

硫酸软骨素蛋白多糖对视皮层γ-氨基丁酸能神经元表达及其抑制性突触传递功能的影响

目的:通过体外观察硫酸软骨素蛋白多糖(CSPGs)对γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)能神经元表达及其抑制性突触传递功能的影响,为探索CSPGs抑制视皮层可塑性的机制提供实验依据。方法:运用硫酸软骨素酶(ChABC)处理体外培养的胎鼠视皮层神经元,降解其CSPGs后应用免疫荧光显色检测CSPGs降解情况及GABA能神经元的表达变化,并用膜片钳检测其自发性微小性抑制性突触后电流(mIPSCs)以观察其抑制性突触传递功能变化情况。结果:0.1 U/ml ChABC处理神经元后,CSPGs被成功降解,GABA能神经元细胞密度、mIPSCs幅度和频率均显著低于正常对照组。结论:CSPGs能促进GABA能神经元表达及其抑制性突触传递功能的成熟,这可能是CSPGs抑制视皮层可塑性的作用机制之一。     

NMDA受体介导的eEPSC在皮质发育障碍动物模型海马CA1区的改变

目的：研究皮质发育障碍（DCD）大鼠模型海马CA1区N-甲基-D-门冬氨酸（NMDA）受体及α-氨基-3-羧基5甲基异恶唑-4-丙酸（AmPA）受体介导的兴奋性突触后电流（eEPSC）的变化，探讨DCD大鼠模型的致痫机制。方法：选取出生10～20dDCD幼鼠模型和正常对照组，应用可视法脑片膜片钳记录方法，记录大鼠海马CA1区锥体神经元的NMDA受体及AmPA受体介导的eEPSC幅度及衰减时间常数。结果：DCD模型组与正常对照组相比，NMDA受体介导的eEPSC的幅度有明显增高r（119．54±10．97）pAVS（83．69±10．23）pA；P〈0．053；衰减时间常数明显延长[（154．59±3．92）VS（117．18±4．04）；P〈0．05]。而AmPA受体介导的eEPSC的幅度[（139．99±23．41）pAVS（135．50±26．44）pA；P〉0．05]及衰减时间常数[（47．23±2．28）VS（48．68±2．20）；P〉0．053无明显改变。结论：NMDA受体介导的异常突触后反应在DCD的致痫机制方面起到重要的作用。     

精氨酸加压素对大鼠下丘脑视前区AMPA受体GluR1-3蛋白表达的影响

目的研究精氨酸加压素(AVP)对大鼠下丘脑视前区(POA)α-氨基-3-羟基-5-甲基异恶唑-4-丙酸(AMPA)受体GluR1-3 mRNA和蛋白质表达的影响。方法腹腔注射AVP(10μg/kg)或AVP V1a受体抑制剂(30μg/kg)0.5 h后,用反转录实时荧光定量PCR和Western blot检测视前区AMPA受体亚基GluR1、GluR2和GluR3 mRNA和蛋白表达。结果与对照组相比,V1a受体抑制剂明显降低了GluR2 mRNA表达(P0.05);AVP能显著上调视前区AMPA受体亚基GluR1和GluR2蛋白水平(P0.01),减少GluR3蛋白表达(P0.01),但V1a受体抑制剂不能阻断这一作用。结论外源性AVP主要通过影响AMPA受体亚基蛋白表达来调制大鼠视前区AMPA受体介导的谷氨酸能突触传递。     

快速老化小鼠P8海马神经元突触可塑性相关的AMPA受体表达异常

目的比较快速老化小鼠P8(SAMP8)与抗快速老化小鼠R1(SAMR1)海马神经元突触可塑性相关的谷氨酸α-氨基-3-羟基-5-甲基-4-异唑丙酸(AMPA)受体表达差异,为阿尔兹海默病(AD)的发病机制提供实验依据。方法取雄性10月龄SAMP8 10只和SAMR1 9只,应用Morris水迷宫实验评价动物学习记忆能力,透射电子显微镜观察海马CA1区神经元突触界面超微结构,蛋白质免疫印迹法检测海马AMPA受体亚基GluR1、GluR2的表达。结果与SAMR1比较,SAMP8逃避潜伏期延长,目标象限时间百分比下降,穿台次数减少;海马CA1区神经元突触后致密带变薄,突触间隙增宽,突触界面曲率下降;海马GluR2含量下降,GluR1含量有下降趋势,但差异无统计学意义。结论海马AMPA受体异常可能是导致突触可塑性受损,引发SAMP8认知障碍的原因之一,AMPA受体在AD的发病中可能占有重要地位。     

Spastin促进海马神经元树突野的形成

目的　探讨微管切割蛋白Spastin对海马神经元树突野形成的作用。 方法　把目的基因转染入原代海马神经元,用免疫荧光显示树突α-氨基-3-羟基-5-甲基-4-异恶唑丙酸（AMPA）受体,全细胞膜片钳检测微小兴奋性突触后电流（mEPSCs）。 结果　过表达Spastin促进树突生长以及分支形成,敲减Spastin抑制树突的生长和新的分支形成,与对照细胞差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;Sholl分析结果显示Spastin提高树突野的复杂性（P<0.05）;免疫荧光结果显示,过表达Spastin促进AMPA受体GluA2亚基在树突的表达,与对照组差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;而敲减Spastin则抑制树突GluA2的表达（P<0.05）;全细胞膜片钳检测显示,过表达Spastin神经元的mEPSCs振幅和频率均增加,敲减Spastin则使mEPSC的幅度和频率降低（P<0.05）。 结论　Spastin促进神经元树突野的形成,而且形成的树突是功能性树突。     

cAMP反应元件结合蛋白(CREB)在单眼剥夺弱视大鼠视皮层中的表达研究

目前已对突触可塑性的基本特性有了相当程度的认识 ,但对其发育中神经元可塑性的内在分子机制尚待进一步阐明。不少研究提示 ,c AMP反应元件结合蛋白 ( CREB)在学习、记忆和长时程增强 ( LTP)过程中参与长时程突触的可塑性调节 ,推测其在视觉系统可塑性中也发挥着重要作用。本研究通过建立幼年大鼠单眼剥夺弱视模型 ,应用免疫组织化学方法 ,对视觉发育关键期末 ( P45 )大鼠和成年 ( P90 )大鼠视皮层中 CREB和 p CREB的免疫反应性进行观察、比较和分析。结果 :视觉发育关键期内进行单眼视觉剥夺对大鼠视皮层内总 CREB的蛋白表达没有产生显著影响 ,而 p CREB在 P45大鼠的剥夺眼对侧视皮层单眼反应区的 / 、 层中的蛋白表达较剥夺眼同侧视皮层的相应区域弱 ,该差异在该年龄大鼠的双眼反应区及成年后大鼠视皮层内不存在。结论 :CREB可能通过该磷酸化形式在视觉系统可塑性中发挥作用     

锥体束神经元在大鼠、树皮层的分布及其与GABA能神经元的关系

以大鼠和树作为研究材料，在脑桥下缘切断一侧锥体束，用HRP逆行标记和计算机三维重构观察锥体束神经元在皮层的分布，以及在光镜和电镜下观察锥体束神经元和GABA能神经元的关系。逆行标记的锥体来神经元主要分布于皮层的运动区和体感区，在枕区、扣带区、颞区和屏状皮层中都有少量分布。树锥体束神经元的总数是大鼠的1．5倍，用计算机重构显示HRP标记的锥体束神经元在脑内吻尾方向上的分布跨度比大鼠小，故其分布范围较大鼠集中，密度较高，且其中大细胞也较多．树的锥体来神经元长径在15μm以上者占74．0％；大鼠则占62．9％。在电镜下观察这些锥体束神经元的胞体上全分布着对称型的突触，其中既有GABA能，也有非GA-BA能者。不同胞体上接受GABA能和非GABA能突触的比例不同，一种较大的胞体上GABA与non－GABA阳性终末相比，前者数量大（13：3）而较小的胞体上则相反，两者的数量相比，为7：18。大鼠和树的锥体束神经元胞体的单位周长上接受的突触数目也不同，树锥体束神经元胞体的10μm单位周长上分布有4．4个突触。大鼠则为3．4个。随着动物进化锥体束神经元接受突触的数目有增加的趋势．     

大鼠海马结构在空间辨别性学习记忆时的突触形态可塑性的定量研究

目的　观察由空间辩别性学习记忆活动引致的大鼠海马结构的突触可塑性变化。方法　本研究继电子显微镜下 ,对空间辨别性学习记忆模型大鼠和对照大鼠海马结构内突触形态学的对比性观察之后 ,又对两组大鼠海马结构内突触复合体进行了体视学指标的测算。结果　模型组大鼠海马CA3区多形层内突触数密度 (77 81± 16 0 0 )个 / μm3、突触活性点膜面积 (0 0 37± 0 0 0 8) μm2 / μm3、突触小泡的数量 (16 9946 86± 195 92 5 8)个 / μm3、线粒体的体积 (1 70± 0 86 ) %和数密度 (8777 5 4± 2 0 2 0 32 )个 / μm3 均比对照组大鼠的大或多 ,对照组大鼠以上指标分别为 :(2 8 35± 1 31)个 / μm3、(0 0 15± 0 0 0 2 ) μm2 /μm3、(6 4380 2 7± 872 8 6 6 )个 / μm2 、(0 5 8± 0 35 ) %、(2 2 82 46± 72 7 6 9)个 / μm3,其差异有高度显著性 (P <0 0 1)。结论　正常生理活动也可引致神经发生突触可塑性变化 ;突触可塑性变化的形式不仅包括突触复合体各结构的增大同时包括突触数量增多 ;突触活性点膜面积增大 ;突触小泡的数量增多和体积增大 ;突触前膨大内线粒体数量增多和体积增大。     

小鼠脊髓背角Ⅰ层-PAG投射神经元短时程突触可塑性的特征研究

目的:研究小鼠脊髓背角Ⅰ层向中脑导水管周围灰质(periaquaductal gray,PAG)投射神经元在双脉冲刺激下表现出来的短时程突触可塑性的特点。方法:选取18~21 d C57/Bl6小鼠,脑立体定位注射2.5%Di I(100 nl)至PAG,2~3 d后制备400~650μm带背根的脊髓薄片,孵育1 h后用全细胞膜片钳技术记录Di Ⅰ阳性标记的脊髓背角Ⅰ层向PAG投射(spino-PAG)神经元,在判断其为单突触传递后,给予时间间隔为110 ms的双脉冲刺激诱致刺激外周C纤维诱发的C-e EPSCs,观察其短时程突触可塑性的特点。结果:(1)应用脑立体定位注射技术向PAG注射荧光素Di Ⅰ后可在脊髓背角Ⅰ层检测到逆行标记的神经元,提示该神经元为向PAG投射的神经元(spino-PAG投射神经元)。(2)在给予脊神经背根时间间隔为110 ms的双脉冲刺激后,脊髓背角Ⅰ层spino-PAG投射神经元发生不同程度和性质的短时程突触可塑性改变。其中,52.8%(28/53)的神经元表现为短时程的双脉冲易化(paired-pulse facilitation,PPF),其PPR的平均值为1.76±0.18;47.2%(25/53)的神经元表现为短时程的双脉冲抑制(paired-pulse depression,PPD),其PPR的平均值为0.61±0.05。结论:双脉冲刺激脊神经背根诱致C-e EPSCs可使脊髓背角I层spino-PAG神经元呈现短时程易化和短时程抑制的突触可塑性特征,提示这种短时程突触可塑性可能在痛信息的传递和敏化过程中发挥重要作用。     

The NMDA-to-AMPA ratio at synapses onto layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons is conserved across prefrontal and visual cortices

To better understand regulation of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor complements across the cortex, and to investigate NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-based models of persistent activity, we compared NMDA/AMPA ratios in prefrontal (PFC) and visual cortex (VC) in rat. Whole cell voltage-clamp responses were recorded in brain slices from layer 2/3 pyramidal cells of the medial PFC and VC of rats aged p16-p21. Mixed miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) having AMPA receptor (AMPAR)- and NMDAR-mediated components were isolated in nominally 0 Mg2+ ACSF. Averaged mEPSCs were well-fit by double exponentials. No significant differences in the NMDA/AMPA ratio (PFC: 27 +/- 1%; VC: 28 +/- 3%), peak mEPSC amplitude (PFC: 19.1 +/- 1 pA; VC: 17.5 +/- 0.7 pA), NMDAR decay kinetics (PFC: 69 +/- 8 ms; VC: 67 +/- 6 ms), or degree of correlation between NMDAR- and AMPAR-mediated mEPSC components were found between the areas (PFC: n = 27; VC: n = 28). Recordings from older rats (p26-29) also showed no differences. EPSCs were evoked extracellularly in 2 mM Mg2+ at depolarized potentials; although the average NMDA/AMPA ratio was larger than that observed for mEPSCs, the ratio was similar in the two regions. In nominally 0 Mg2+ and in the presence of CNQX, spontaneous activation of NMDAR increased recording noise and produced a small tonic depolarization which was similar in both areas. We conclude that this basic property of excitatory transmission is conserved across PFC and VC synapses and is therefore unlikely to contribute to differences in firing patterns observed in vivo in the two regions.     

Tonic facilitation of glutamate release by glycine binding sites on presynaptic NR2B-containing NMDA autoreceptors in the rat visual cortex

We have previously shown that glycine binding sites on presynaptic NMDA receptors (NMDA-Rs) can tonically regulate glutamate release in the rat visual cortex. In the present study, we investigated the subunit composition of these presynaptic NMDA-Rs. We recorded miniature a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) using whole-cell voltage clamp in layer II/III pyramidal neurons of the rat visual cortex with the open-channel NMDA receptor blocker, MK-801, in the recording pipette. We found that the frequency of mEPSCs is significantly reduced by 7-chloro-kynurenic acid (7-Cl KYNA) an NMDA-R glycine binding site antagonist, and glycine reverses this effect. Using a specific antagonist for NR2B-NMDA-Rs, Ro 25-6981 [(alphaR,betaS)-alpha-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-beta-methyl-4-(phenylmethyl)-1-piperidinepropanol hydrochloride], instead of 7-Cl KYNA, we found that the frequency of mEPSCs is also significantly reduced but glycine cannot reverse this effect. Moreover, Zn(2+), an NR2A-NMDA-R antagonist, did not affect mEPSC frequency. These results suggest that presynaptic NR2B-containing NMDA-Rs are located in layer II/III pyramidal neurons of the rat visual cortex, and that the glycine binding site of these type NMDA-Rs tonically regulates glutamate release.     

Reactivation of visual cortical plasticity by NEP1-40 from early monocular deprivation in adult rats

Amblyopia is difficult to cure in adult due to the declination of visual cortical plasticity with age. However, the mechanisms limiting adult cortical plasticity are still unclear. Inhibition factors associated with myelin are suggested to be crucial for the ocular dominance plasticity in the visual cortex. We hypothesize that blocking Nogo-NgR system with NEP1–40 in adult visual cortex will reactivate the structural and functional plasticity. To back up this hypothesis, we subjected postnatal day 21 (P21) rats to monocular deprivation (MD) model until P45. Then the deprived eyes of MD model rats were reopened and followed by NEP1–40 or PBS administration for 7 days. Dendritic spine densities, ultrastructral modifications of synaptic junctions and objective visual function were examined at P52 to determine the therapeutic effects of NEP1–40. Our findings suggest a new curative role for NEP1–40 in structural and functional recovery from the deficits of adult MD rats, and offer a potential therapeutic tool for curing amblyopia and other cortically based visual disorders.     

Age-dependent decline in supragranular long-term synaptic plasticity by increased inhibition during the critical period in the rat primary visual cortex

Supragranular long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD) are continuously induced in the pathway from layer 4 during the critical period in the rodent primary visual cortex, which limits the use of supragranular long-term synaptic plasticity as a synaptic model for the mechanism of ocular dominance (OD) plasticity. The results of the present study demonstrate that the pulse duration of extracellular stimulation to evoke a field potential (FP) is critical to induction of LTP and LTD in this pathway. LTP and LTD were induced in the pathway from layer 4 to layer 2/3 in slices from 3-wk-old rats when FPs were evoked by 0.1- and 0.2-ms pulses. LTP and LTD were induced in slices from 5-wk-old rats when evoked by stimulation with a 0.2-ms pulse but not by stimulation with a 0.1-ms pulse. Both the inhibitory component of FP and the inhibitory/excitatory postsynaptic potential amplitude ratio evoked by stimulation with a 0.1-ms pulse were greater than the values elicited by a 0.2-ms pulse. Stimulation with a 0.1-ms pulse at various intensities that showed the similar inhibitory FP component with the 0.2-ms pulse induced both LTD and LTP in 5-wk-old rats. Thus extracellular stimulation with shorter-duration pulses at higher intensity resulted in greater inhibition than that observed with longer-duration pulses at low intensity. This increased inhibition might be involved in the age-dependent decline of synaptic plasticity during the critical period. These results provide an alternative synaptic model for the mechanism of OD plasticity.     

Increase in AMPA receptor-mediated miniature EPSC amplitude after chronic NMDA receptor blockade in cultured hippocampal neurons

Synaptic scaling has been reported as scaling up of AMPA receptors (AMPAR)-mediated miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) induced by blockade of action potentials or AMPAR. Here, we show a novel type of synaptic scaling induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) blockade. In the present study, we analyzed AMPAR-mediated mEPSCs of D-(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5)-treated hippocampal neurons (16 days in vitro) for 48 h in low-density cultures, using a whole-cell patch-clamp technique. The mEPSC amplitudes recorded from chronic AP5-treated neurons (25.5+/-0.3 pA; n=30 neurons) were significantly larger than that recorded from control neurons (21.6+/-0.2 pA; n=30 neurons, p<0.05), whereas the frequency of mEPSCs was not changed. Immunocytochemistry showed that the number of synapsin I clusters of AP5-treated neurons was not different from that of control neurons. Cumulative amplitude histograms revealed that the amplitude of mEPSCs was scaled multiplicatively after AP5 treatment. GluR2-lacking AMPAR were not involved in the scaling observed here. Together, our data indicate that NMDAR activity, as well as AMPAR activity, is involved in the negative feedback plasticity of AMPAR-mediated synaptic activity.     

Correlation between stimulation strength and onset time of signal traveling within the neocortical neural circuits under caffeine application

In general, strength of input to neocortical neural circuits affects the amplitude of postsynaptic potentials (PSPs), thereby modulating the way signals are transmitted within the circuits. Caffeine is one of the pharmacological agents able to modulate synaptic activities. The present study investigated how strength of input affects signal propagation in neocortical circuits under the application of caffeine. Spatio-temporal neural activities were observed from visual cortical slices of rats using optical recording methods with voltage-sensitive dye. Electrical stimulations were applied to white matter in the primary visual cortex with bath-application of caffeine. When the strength of stimulation was 0.3mA, signals propagated from the site of stimulation in the primary visual cortex toward the secondary visual cortex along vertical and horizontal pathways. When stimulation strength was reduced from 0.3mA to 0.07mA, start of signal propagation was delayed about 25ms without affecting field PSP amplitude or the manner of signal propagation. Conversely, co-application of caffeine and d-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (d-AP5) did not induce delays in signal start. These findings suggest that conversion of neural code from amplitude code to temporal code is inducible at the level of neocortical circuits in an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activity-dependent manner.     

Silent synapses in developing cerebellar granule neurons

Silent synapses are excitatory synapses endowed exclusively with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) responses that have been proposed to acquire alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) responses during development and after long-term potentiation (LTP). These synapses are functionally silent because of the Mg(2+) block of NMDA receptors at resting potentials. Here we provide evidence for the presence of silent synapses in developing cerebellar granule cells. Using the patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell configuration, we recorded the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) from rat cerebellar granule cells in culture and in slices at physiological concentration of Mg(2+) (1 mM). A holding potential of +60 mV removes Mg(2+) block of NMDA channels, allowing us to record NMDA-sEPSCs. We thus compared the frequency of AMPA-sEPSCs, recorded at -60 mV, with that of NMDA-sEPSCs, recorded at +60 mV. NMDA-sEPSCs occurred at higher frequency than the AMPA-sEPSCs in most cells recorded in slices from rats at postnatal day (P) <13 and in culture at 6-8 days after plating (DIV6-8). In a few cells from young rats (P6-9) and in most neurons in culture at DIV6 we recorded exclusively NMDA-sEPSCs, supporting the hypothesis of existence of functional synapses with NMDA and without AMPA receptors. Increasing glutamate release in the slice with cyclothiazide and temperature increased AMPA and NMDA-sEPSCs frequencies but failed to alter the relative ratio of frequency of occurrence. Frequency ratio of NMDA versus AMPA-sEPSCs in slices was correlated with the weighted time constant of decay (tau(w)) of NMDA-sEPSCs and decreased with development along the reported decrease of tau(w). We suggest that the prevalence of synaptic NR2A subunits that confer faster kinetics is paralleled by the disappearance of silent synapses early in cerebellar development.     

Glutamate controls the induction of GABA-mediated giant depolarizing potentials through AMPA receptors in neonatal rat hippocampal slices.

Glutamate controls the induction of GABA-mediated giant depolarizing potentials through AMPA receptors in neonatal rat hippocampal slices. Giant depolarizing potentials (GDPs) are generated by the interplay of the depolarizing action of GABA and glutamate. In this study, single and dual whole cell recordings (in current-clamp configuration) were performed from CA3 pyramidal cells in hippocampal slices obtained from postnatal (P) days P1- to P6-old rats to evaluate the role of ionotropic glutamate receptors in GDP generation. Superfusion of 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) (10-40 microM) completely blocked GDPs. However, in the presence of CNQX, it was still possible to re-induce the appearance of GDPs with GABA (20 microM) or (RS)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxadepropionate (AMPA) (5 microM). This effect was prevented by the more potent and selective AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI 53655 (50-100 microM). In the presence of GYKI 53655, both kainic or domoic acid (0.1-1 microM) were unable to induce GDPs. In contrast, bath application of D-(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (50 microM) or (+)-3-(2carboxy-piperazin-4-yl)-propyl-L-phosphonic acid (20 microM) produced only a 37 +/- 9% (SE) and 36 +/- 11% reduction in GDPs frequency, respectively. Cyclothiazide, a selective blocker of AMPA receptor desensitization, increased GDP frequency by 76 +/- 14%. Experiments were also performed with an intracellular solution containing KF to block GABAA receptor-mediated responses. In these conditions, a glutamatergic component of GDP was revealed. GDPs could still be recorded synchronous with those detected simultaneously with KCl-filled electrodes, although their amplitude was smaller. Similar results were found in pair recordings obtained from minislices containing only a small portion of the CA3 area. These data suggest that GDP generation requires activation of AMPA receptors by local release of glutamate from recurrent collaterals.     

Activation of presynaptic group III metabotropic receptors enhances glutamate release in rat entorhinal cortex

The role of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in modulating excitatory synaptic transmission was investigated in the rat entorhinal cortex (EC) in vitro. AMPA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were recorded in the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique from visually identified neurons in layers V and II. In layer V, bath application of the specific group III mGluR agonist L(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4, 500 microM) resulted in a marked facilitation of both spontaneous and activity-independent "miniature" (s/mEPSC) event frequency. The facilitatory effect of L-AP4 (100 microM) on sEPSC frequency prevailed in the presence of DL-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (100 microM) but was abolished by the group III antagonist (RS)-cyclopropyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine (20 microM). These data confirmed that group III mGluRs, and not N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors were involved in the response to L-AP4. Bath application of the specific mGluR4a agonist (1S,3R,4S)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,2, 4-tricarboxylic acid (20 microM) also had a facilitatory effect on sEPSC frequency, suggesting involvement of mGluR4a. In layer II neurons, L-AP4 caused a reduction in sEPSC frequency but did not affect mEPSCs recorded in the presence of tetrodotoxin. These findings suggest that a group III mGluR with mGluR4a-like pharmacology is involved in modulating synaptic transmission in layer V cells of the EC. The effect on mEPSCs suggests that this receptor is located presynaptically and that its activation results in a direct facilitation of glutamate release. This novel facilitatory effect is specific to layer V and, to our knowledge, is the first report of a direct facilitatory action of group III mGluRs on synaptic transmission. In layer II, L-AP4 had an inhibitory effect on glutamate release similar to that reported in other brain regions.     

Spatial distribution of inhibitory synaptic connections during development of ferret primary visual cortex

Intracortical inhibition in the primary visual cortex plays an important role in creating properties like orientation and direction selectivity. However, the development of the spatial pattern of inhibitory connections is largely unexplored. This was investigated in the present study. Tangential slices of layers 2/3 of ferret striate cortex were prepared for whole-cell patch clamp recordings, and presynaptic inhibitory inputs to pyramidal neurons were scanned by local photolysis of Nmoc-caged glutamate. Inhibitory synaptic currents (IPSCs) were first detected around postnatal day (P) 17. They originated locally around the recorded cells. Both the number and the total areas supplying the inhibitory inputs increased thereafter and peaked at the time around and shortly after eye opening (P29–37). A refinement period then followed in which the areas providing the majority of inhibitory inputs shrank from 600 µm around the recorded neurons to 200–300 µm in more mature animals (P38). The amplitude of IPSCs increased progressively with increasing age. Long-range inhibitory inputs (>600 µm) were present around eye opening and they often developed into a clustered patchy pattern in more mature animals (P38). In summary, our results show a refinement and clustering in the spatial pattern of inhibitory connections during postnatal development of ferret visual cortex.