Interneuron hyperexcitability in an APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundNeuronal hyperexcitability is commonly observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients and in mouse models of AD. What is not clear yet is whether hyperexcitability occurs in all neurons or whether certain types of neurons are selectively vulnerable towards developing a hyperexcitable phenotype.MethodElectrophysiological recordings were performed in hippocampal slices from APP/PS1 mice to measure intrinsic and network properties of excitatory pyramidal neurons and of inhibitory parvalbumin (PV)‐positive interneurons. Cell type‐specific chemogenetic interventions were used to selectively reverse the hyperexcitable phenotype of these neurons. The outcome of these interventions was measured using hippocampal slice physiology, local field potential (LFP) recordings and behavioral assessment.ResultThe intrinsic excitability of hippocampal PV interneurons was significantly higher in APP/PS1 mice at 3‐4 months of age whereas pyramidal neurons were not affected at this age. Increased excitability of PV interneurons coincided with impaired learning and memory in the Morris water maze. Reducing the activity of PV neurons using chemogenetics resulted in a complete and long‐lasting rescue of PV cell excitability, network properties and learning and memory. LFP recordings revealed changes in oscillatory power and excitation/inhibition balance that could be related to early PV cell hyperexcitability and may translate to novel EEG biomarkers to detect AD at an early stage in humans.ConclusionHyperexcitability of hippocampal PV interneurons is an early cellular phenotype in APP/PS1 mice that is causally related to neuronal network and memory impairments, whereas pyramidal cells only become hyperexcitable at later disease stages. These findings are relevant for AD as they may help to identify neuronal activity markers that are specific for early disease stages as well as cell type‐specific ion channels or receptors that can be targeted to treat AD in its earliest stage.