海马CA_1区锥体细胞内钙离子释放与突触传递的可塑性

为分析海马CA1区锥体细胞内钙离子释放与突触传递长时程增强以及长时程抑制的关系,采用全细胞膜片钳和细胞内钙成像技术,观察了不同参数的突触前刺激引起大鼠海马锥体细胞内钙离子释放的状况。结果为:100Hz、50Hz、20Hz频率,分别用50、25、15、10、5脉冲的突触前刺激均可引起锥体细胞内钙的释放,10脉冲以上的刺激引起细胞内钙释放的成功率为100％,而5脉冲的刺激引起细胞内钙的释放率为57％。100 Hz 3脉冲的刺激可引起少数锥体细胞内钙释放,而5 Hz各脉冲的刺激均不能引起锥体细胞内钙的释放。结果提示,长时程抑制时细胞内钙的升高并非来自于细胞内钙库的钙释放;引起长时程增强的刺激参数与引起锥体细胞内钙释放的参数相似。本文又分析了两者的异同处。     

CREB依赖的突触长时程增强

目的:探究LTP与CREB依赖的级联反应间的相关机制,阐述CREB依赖的生化系统网络的动力学行为特征。方法:依据突触可塑性相关的cAMP-PKA-CREB信号转导通道,假定蛋白激酶AC8是CREB的下游调节靶目标并反馈调节上游通道,构建了一个嵌有CREB依赖的正反馈环的cAMP-PKA-CREB分子模型。结果:CREB依赖的正反馈存在时,模型是一个鲁棒的双稳系统;阻断CREB依赖的正反馈后,模型变成一个单稳系统。结论:CREB依赖的正反馈可能是系统存在鲁棒的双稳特性的一个重要条件;嵌有CREB依赖的正反馈的cAMP-PKA-CREB分子系统可能是决定突触长时程增强诱导和维持的导向机制之一。     

LTP形成机制的研究进展

突触传递的长时程增强 (LTP)是学习记忆的神经基础之一 ,是突触可塑性的功能性指标之一 ,也是研究学习记忆的理想模型。LTP是突触前后机制共同作用的结果 ,包括诱导和维持 2个阶段。LTP的形成与突触前递质的释放、突触后相关受体通道以及各种蛋白激酶、逆行信使、即早基因等密切相关。     

逆行信使NO在突触长时程增强过程中的作用

NO作为一种重要的生物信使分子,广泛存在于外周和中枢神经系统(CNS).近年来,有关NO在CNS中的作用研究已取得一定进展,尤其在神经突触可塑性方面,它参与了长时程增强(LTP)过程的诱导和维持.作为一种逆行信使,通过一系列信号通路或分子,如:NO-cGMP-PKG、激发内源性ADP核糖苷化及影响C-FOS的表达,最终参与LTP的产生和维持.     

在脑片水平上突触可塑性长时程增强的研究进展

长时程增强(LTP)是突触效能的重要表现形式,是研究学习与记忆突触机制的客观指标.近年来随着脑片技术的发展,很多关于LTP的实验研究都在脑片水平上进行.介绍了海马脑片CA1区LTP的调节表达机制的研究,海马脑片上诱导产生的LTP的特征和脑片条件的关系,多巴胺转运蛋白阻断剂通过活化D3多巴胺受体增强海马脑片CA1区LTP,以及激活大鼠海马脑片CA1区突触β-肾上腺素能受体增强联合LTP的研究,综述了在脑片水平上研究LTP的诱导表达维持及调节等方面的研究动态和进展.     

海马长时程增强形成机制的研究近况

长时程增强现象是学习和记忆的细胞机制，它的形成是突触前后机制共同参与的结果。海马是神经系统参与第一级记忆的关键部位。突触前的递质释放和突触后的Ｃａ２＋通道、蛋白激酶，尤其是逆行性信使与海马长时程增强的关系密切     

脊髓背角长时程增强中CaMKⅡ磷酸化水平的变化

目的探讨长时程增强诱导和维持过程中脊髓背角钙/钙调蛋白依赖性蛋白激酶Ⅱ(CaMKⅡ)磷酸化水平的变化。方法(1)细胞外记录脊髓腰膨大部背角浅层神经元C-纤维诱发电位;(2)免疫组化技术观察脊髓背角CaMKⅡ磷酸化水平的变化。结果(1)LTP30min、LTP3h脊髓背角CaMKⅡThr286的磷酸化水平明显高于对照组;(2)强直刺激前30min脊髓局部给予KN-93(CaMKⅡ选择性抑制剂,100μmol/L),LTP的诱导被完全阻断,CaMKⅡ磷酸化水平与对照组无明显差别;(3)强直刺激后30min给予KN-93,明显抑制LTP,CaMKⅡ的磷酸化水平也显著降低;(4)LTP3h后给予KN-93,LTP幅度和CaMKⅡ磷酸化水平与用药前相比,差异没有统计学意义。结论CaMKⅡ磷酸化可能在脊髓背角C-纤维诱发电位长时程增强诱导和早期维持中发挥重要作用。     

突触传递的长时程抑制的研究进展

突触传递的长时程抑制 (LTD)和长时程增强 (LTP)是行为依赖性突触可塑性的两种重要形式 ,一直以来都是研究学习记忆的热点。本文就近年来有关LTD的分子生物学机制和在学习记忆中的作用作一综述。     

β1整合素抑制β淀粉样蛋白对记忆长时程增强的作用

背景：抑制小鼠海马脑片整合素活动后,虽然不会影响长时程增强的诱导,但却带来快速的长时程增强衰减,证明整合素对于诱导后长时程增强的维持和稳定起到关键的作用。 目的：通过在体电生理技术阐明整合素的β1亚基在活体大鼠的海马CA1区中β淀粉样蛋白抑制长时程增强的过程中所起到的作用。 方法：将15只SD大鼠等分为对照组、β淀粉样蛋白组和β1整合素拮抗剂组,分别给予生理盐水,β淀粉样蛋白和β1整合素的选择性拮抗剂,记录自给予β淀粉样蛋白前10 min至高频强直刺激后3 h时的兴奋性突触后电位。 结果与结论：给予对照组大鼠高频强刺激后兴奋性突触后电位明显增强,增幅在30%以上。β淀粉样蛋白组大鼠给予高频强刺激后兴奋性突触后电位在3 h中被显著抑制,没有出现明显的变化。而β1整合素拮抗剂组大鼠给予高频强刺激后兴奋性突触后电位又出现明显的增强。推测β1整合素在活体大鼠的海马CA1区中β淀粉样蛋白抑制长时程增强的过程中可能起着重要的介导作用,而其特异性的拮抗剂或抗体可以阻断这种介导作用。     

D-半乳糖对大鼠空间学习记忆行为与海马结构电生理以及突触形态学的影响

为了观察经 D-半乳糖处理大鼠的空间学习记忆行为以及在体诱导海马齿状回长时程增强及海马 CA3区突触形态学的变化 ,本研究采用向正常组大鼠每日皮下注射生理盐水 1ml,模型组大鼠每日皮下注射 D-半乳糖 (共 6周 )作为实验材料。对空间学习记忆行为 ,以 Morris水迷宫潜伏期作为判定标准 ;应用在体记录单脉冲刺激穿通纤维在海马齿状回诱发的群体电位 ,测量高频刺激前后单脉冲刺激诱发的电位幅值变化 ,将高频刺激前的记录作为基线值 ,进行组间比较 ;应用透射电镜结合图像分析对大鼠海马 CA3区突触形态结构进行观察。结果证明 :( 1)模型组水迷宫潜伏期成绩显著低于正常组 ( P<0 .0 5 ) ;( 2 )高频刺激前二组间峰潜伏期和电位平均幅值无显著性差异 ,高频刺激后对各时间段群体电位与高频刺激前群体电位峰值之比进行的分析表明 ,模型组在高频刺激后 2 0 min时段开始其比值较正常组显著减小 ( P<0 .0 1) ,模型组长时程增强诱导率显著低于正常组 ( P<0 .0 0 1) ;( 3 )经 D-半乳糖处理的大鼠海马 CA3区突触间隙明显增宽、突触后致密物厚度变薄、突触活性区长度缩短 ( P<0 .0 5 )。结论 :皮下注射 D-半乳糖可损害大鼠的空间学习记忆能力 ,降低大鼠在体海马齿状回长时程增强的诱导率 ,使长时程增强增幅降低 ,并可显?     

Long-term increase in excitability induced by Mg(2+)-free medium in the absence of afferent stimulation in CA1 area of mouse hippocampal slices.

Omission of Mg ions from the perfusion fluid of hippocampal slices unblocks the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type of glutamate receptor/channel, and induces long term enhancement of synaptic responses. In order to test the role of afferent activation in induction of long term potentiation in CA1 area by this process, we switched off stimulation during the time of perfusing the slices with Mg(2+)-free medium (30 min). In addition to a short lasting increase in synaptic activation we observed a long term increase in population spike amplitude in all slices tested (n = 5), which lasted for at least 2 h. This process was antagonized by 50-100 microM DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate, a specific NMDA receptor antagonist (n = 8), but not by isolating CA1-CA3 areas prior to the testing (n = 5). These results suggest that the resting levels of the endogenous excitatory neurotransmitter(s) can induce long term increase in firing probability of CA1 pyramidal cells, when NMDA channels are unblocked, in the absence of afferent stimulation and irrespective of CA3 area prior excitation.     

Collateral specific long term potentiation of the output of field CA3 of the hippocampus of the rat

Summary Long term potentiation (LTP) in response to brief high frequency trains has been reported for many pathways in the hippocampus. The mechanisms involved are still unclear. The present experiments set out to confirm reports in the literature that LTP of output from CA3 neurons can be specific to particular collaterals. Single pulses delivered to area CA3 produced field responses nearly simultaneously in area CA1 and in the lateral septum (LS). High frequency stimulation of CA3 produced long term potentiation of CA1 but not LS responses. The CA1 response to stimulation of the contralateral hippocampus did not potentiate when the CA1 response to CA3 stimulation showed long term potentiation. The CA1 and LS responses to CA3 stimulation showed similar strength-duration, strength-amplitude and frequency following characteristics. Their latencies were comparable to the latencies of antidromic activation of CA3 cells from CA1 and LS. Movement of stimulating electrodes to the region of the Schaffer collaterals increased the latency of the LS response and decreased the latency of the CA1 response but left the sum of these latencies unchanged. It was concluded that the CA3 and Schaffer stimulation were activating LS and CA1 collaterals of the same CA3 neurons. CA1 and LS responses to CA3 stimulation showed somewhat different paired pulse and frequency potentiation characteristics. These data confirm reports in the literature that long term potentiation is both input-specific and collateral-specific. The mechanisms of long term potentiation are likely, therefore, to be limited to changes at specific synaptic junctions, e.g. changes in sensitivity of specific postsynaptic receptor sites or changes in transmitter release, which can depend on functional or organisational differences between two collaterals of the same neuron.     

Is activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor gated channels sufficient to induce long term potentiation?

Superfusion of hippocampal slices with Mg2+ free medium (20-30 min) produced in CA1 interictal bursts and an enhancement of the Schaffer collateral synaptic response which persisted for over 2 h after return to control media. This long lasting effect, which was blocked by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists, was not associated with changes in postsynaptic cell excitability. A cut between CA3 and CA1, which blocked the bursts in CA1 (but not in CA3), also abolished the long lasting effects of Mg2+ free medium. It is concluded that the activation of NMDA receptors gated ionic channels is insufficient per se to induce a long term potentiation of synaptic transmission.     

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-dependent long-term potentiation in CA1 region affects synaptic expression of glutamate receptor subunits and associated proteins in the whole hippocampus

Long term potentiation in hippocampus, evoked by high-frequency stimulation, is mediated by two major glutamate receptor subtypes, alpha-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate receptors and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Receptor subunit composition and its interaction with cytoplasmic proteins constitute different pathways regulating synaptic plasticity. Here, we provide further evidence that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated long term potentiation evoked at hippocampal CA1 region of rats induced by high-frequency stimulation of the Schaffer collateral-commissural pathway in vivo is not dependent on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR2B. Applying semi-quantitative immunoblotting, we found that in the whole tetanized hippocampus, synaptic expression of the N-methyl-D-aspartate and alpha-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate receptor subunits (NR1, NR2A, glutamate receptor 1) and their associated partners, e.g. synaptic associated protein 97, postsynaptic density protein 95, alpha subunit of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, neuronal nitricoxide synthase, increased 180 min post-high-frequency stimulation. Moreover, phosphorylation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II at thr286 and glutamate receptor 1 at ser831 was increased 30 min post-high-frequency stimulation and blocked by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists (AP-5 and MK-801). In sham group and controls, these changes were not observed. The expression of several other synaptic proteins (NR2B, glutamate receptors 2/3, N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor) was not affected by long term potentiation induction. In hippocampal homogenates, the level of these proteins remained unchanged. These data indicate that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-dependent long term potentiation in CA1 region in vivo mainly affects the synaptic expression of glutamate receptor subunits and associated proteins in the whole hippocampus. The alteration of molecular aspects can play a role in regulating the long-lasting synaptic modification in hippocampal long term potentiation in vivo.     

Effects of ventral hippocampal long-term potentiation and depression on the gamma-band local field potential in anesthetized rats

We examined the effect of long-term potentiation or depression (LTP or LTD) on the local field potential, focusing on the gamma-band (40–100 Hz) power, in the ventral hippocampus CA1 of anesthetized rats. LTP and LTD induction in the CA3–CA1 pathway increased the CA1 spontaneous gamma-band power by around 40 and 80–100 Hz, respectively, while neither changed the evoked levels significantly. These results suggest that the ventral CA1 local field potential can maintain bidirectional plasticity in the steady state for the long term. Given the involvement of synaptic plasticity in learning and memory, the gamma-band power change associated with LTP/LTD may relate to ventral hippocampal functions. The LTP increased the spontaneous power at around 40 Hz of the gamma-band frequency in the ventral CA1, and the LTD did the same at 80–100 Hz. The biphasic increase may distribute the subsequent input appropriately to regulate the relevant synaptic history in the ventral CA1 and anatomically related structures in vivo.     

Involvement of multiple phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent pathways in the persistence of late-phase long term potentiation expression

The mechanisms responsible for the stabilization and persistence of synaptic plasticity remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the time course of the dependence of late-phase long term potentiation of field excitatory post-synaptic potential on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and its downstream effectors mTOR and AKT. In agreement with our previous results obtained on an early-phase long-term potentiation paradigm we observed that application of a nanomolar concentration of wortmannin (100 nM) 1 h after late-phase long term potentiation induction reversed potentiation completely. However, application of wortmannin 4 h after late-phase long term potentiation induction resulted in a more limited reduction of field excitatory post-synaptic potential suggesting that the dependence of late-phase long term potentiation expression on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase decreases over time. Application of a nanomolar concentration of rapamycin (200 nM) during the tetanization paradigm prevented the induction of late-phase long term potentiation consistent with our earlier results. Application of rapamycin 1 h after late-phase long term potentiation induction resulted in a less pronounced though significant decline of field excitatory post-synaptic potential. Immunohistological analysis demonstrated that the concentration of rapamycin used was effective in inhibiting the phosphorylation of p70S6K at Thr389, the main determinant of its pro-translational activity, and that Thr389 phosphorylation recovered after washout. Lastly, a transient application of Akt inhibitor I (10 microM) one hour after late-phase long term potentiation induction also induced a partial although significant reduction of potentiated field excitatory post-synaptic potential that stabilized at a level of approximately 114% of baseline three hours after application, suggesting that AKT also contributes to the stabilization of late-phase long term potentiation expression. These results confirm and extend previous observations that the expression of long term potentiation in the CA1 of rat hippocampus involves several elements of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway.     

Chemical induction of mGluR5- and protein synthesis--dependent long-term depression in hippocampal area CA1.

Recent work has demonstrated that specific patterns of synaptic stimulation can induce long-term depression (LTD) in area CA1 that depends on activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) and rapid protein synthesis. Here we show that the same form of synaptic modification can be induced by brief application of the selective mGluR agonist (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG). DHPG-LTD 1) is a saturable form of synaptic plasticity, 2) requires mGluR5, 3) is mechanistically distinct from N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)--dependent LTD, and 4) shares a common expression mechanism with protein synthesis-dependent LTD evoked using synaptic stimulation. DHPG-LTD should be useful for biochemical analysis of mGluR5- and protein synthesis-dependent synaptic modification.     

Synaptic triggering of epileptiform discharges in CA1 pyramidal cells in vitro

Intra- and extracellular recordings were made in the transverse hippocampal slice in vitro to study the requirements for the triggering of epileptiform discharges of CA1 cells. Spontaneous and induced epileptiform discharges were produced by adding small amounts of sodium benzyl penicillin. Recorded intracellularly, the epileptiform activity consisted of a burst of action potentials superimposed on a depolarizing wave. Extracellular recordings demonstrated a marked synchronization. The epileptiform activity of the CA1 cells appeared without changes in the passive membrane properties or in the spike generating mechanism. Spontaneous epileptiform discharges of the CA1 cells depended upon a synaptic activation from the CA3 region. Stimulation of afferent fibres evoked an early and a late burst response in the CA1 cells. The long latency burst was caused by a re-excitation from the CA3 region. The early burst response seems to be an intrinsic property of the CA1 cells and may be induced by synaptic activation of either apical or basal dendrites. The findings suggest that synaptic depolarization is necessary for the generation of epileptiform discharges of the CA1 cells.     

Slow feedback inhibition in the Ca3 area of the rat hippocampus by synergistic synaptic activation of mGluR1 and mGluR5

Interneurons are critical in regulating the excitability of principal cells in neuronal circuits, thereby modulating the output of neuronal networks. We investigated synaptically evoked inhibitory responses in CA3 pyramidal cells mediated by metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) expressed somatodendritically by interneurons. Although pharmacological activation of mGluRs in interneurons has been shown to enhance their excitability, the inability to record mGluR-mediated synaptic responses has precluded detailed characterization of mGluR function in hippocampal interneurons. We found that a single extracellular pulse in CA3 stratum pyramidale was sufficient to induce disynaptic inhibitory responses mediated by postsynaptic mGluRs of the interneurons in CA3 pyramidal cells of hippocampal slice cultures. The disynaptic inhibitory response followed a short-latency monosynaptic inhibitory response, and was observed at stimulus intensities evoking half-maximal monosynaptic IPSCs. Synergistic activation of mGluR1 and mGluR5 was required to induce the full inhibitory response. When recordings were obtained from interneurons in CA3 stratum radiatum or stratum oriens, a single extracellular stimulus induced a slow inward cationic current with a time course corresponding to the slow inhibitory response measured in pyramidal cells. DCG IV, a group II mGluR agonist, which specifically blocks synaptic transmission through mossy fibres, had no effect on mGluR-mediated synaptic responses in interneurons, suggesting that feed-forward inhibition via mossy fibres is not involved. Thus, postsynaptic mGluR1 and mGluR5 in hippocampal interneurons cooperatively mediate slow feedback inhibition of CA3 pyramidal cells. This mechanism may allow interneurons to monitor activity levels from populations of neighbouring principal cells to adapt inhibitory tone to the state of the network.     

Decrease in synaptic transmission can reverse the propagation direction of epileptiform activity in hippocampus in vivo

Most types of epileptiform activity with synaptic transmission have been shown to propagate from the CA3 to CA1 region in hippocampus. However, nonsynaptic epileptiform activity induced in vitro is known to propagate slowly from the caudal end of CA1 toward CA2/CA3. Understanding the propagation modes of epileptiform activity, and their causality is important to revealing the underlying mechanisms of epilepsy and developing new treatments. In this paper, the effect of the synaptic transmission suppression on the propagation of epilepsy in vivo was investigated by using multiple-channel recording probes in CA1. Nonsynaptic epileptiform activity was induced by calcium chelator EGTA with varied concentrations of potassium. For comparison, disinhibition synaptic epileptiform activity was induced by picrotoxin (PTX) with or without partial suppression of excitatory synaptic transmission. The propagation velocity was calculated by measuring the time delay between two electrodes separated by a known distance. The results show that in vivo nonsynaptic epileptiform activity propagates with a direction and velocity comparable to those observed in in vitro preparations. The direction of propagation for nonsynaptic activity is reversed from the PTX-induced synaptic activity. A reversal in propagation direction and change in velocity were also observed dynamically during the process of synaptic transmission suppression. Even a partial suppression of synaptic transmission was sufficient to significantly change the propagation direction and velocity of epileptiform activity. These results suggest the possibility that the measurement of propagation can provide important information about the synaptic mechanism underlying epileptic activity.