Depression Of Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials Research Articles

A model of order-selectivity based on dynamic changes in the balance of excitation and inhibition produced by short-term synaptic plasticity

Determining the order of sensory events separated by a few hundred milliseconds is critical to many forms of sensory processing, including vocalization and speech discrimination. Although many experimental studies have recorded from auditory order-sensitive and order-selective neurons, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that universal properties of cortical synapses-short-term synaptic plasticity of excitatory and inhibitory synapses-are well suited for the generation of order-selective neural responses. Using computational models of canonical disynaptic circuits, we show that the dynamic changes in the balance of excitation and inhibition imposed by short-term plasticity lead to the generation of order-selective responses. Parametric analyses predict that among the forms of short-term plasticity expressed at excitatory-to-excitatory, excitatory-to-inhibitory, and inhibitory-to-excitatory synapses, the single most important contributor to order-selectivity is the paired-pulse depression of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs). A topographic model of the auditory cortex that incorporates short-term plasticity accounts for both context-dependent suppression and enhancement in response to paired tones. Together these results provide a framework to account for an important computational problem based on ubiquitous synaptic properties that did not yet have a clearly established computational function. Additionally, these studies suggest that disynaptic circuits represent a fundamental computational unit that is capable of processing both spatial and temporal information.

Receptor subtype‐dependent galanin actions on gamma‐aminobutyric acidergic neurotransmission and ethanol responses in the central amygdala

The neuropeptide galanin and its three receptor subtypes (GalR1-3) are expressed in the central amygdala (CeA), a brain region involved in stress- and anxiety-related behaviors, as well as alcohol dependence. Galanin also has been suggested to play a role in alcohol intake and alcohol dependence. We examined the effects of galanin in CeA slices from wild-type and knockout (KO) mice deficient of GalR2 and both GalR1 and GalR2 receptors. Galanin had dual effects on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic transmission, decreasing the amplitudes of pharmacologically isolated GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in over half of CeA neurons but augmenting IPSPs in the others. The increase in IPSP size was absent after superfusion of the GalR3 antagonist SNAP 37889, whereas the IPSP depression was absent in CeA neurons of GalR1 × GalR2 double KO and GalR2 KO mice. Paired-pulse facilitation studies showed weak or infrequent effects of galanin on GABA release. Thus, galanin may act postsynaptically through GalR3 to augment GABAergic transmission in some CeA neurons, whereas GalR2 receptors likely are involved in the depression of IPSPs. Co-superfusion of ethanol, which augments IPSPs presynaptically, together with galanin caused summated effects of ethanol and galanin in those CeA neurons showing galanin-augmented IPSPs, suggesting the two agents act via different mechanisms in this population. However, in neurons showing IPSP-diminishing galanin effects, galanin blunted the ethanol effects, suggesting a preemptive effect of galanin. These findings may increase understanding of the complex cellular mechanisms that underlie the anxiety-related behavioral effects of galanin and ethanol in CeA.

Group II and III metabotropic glutamate receptors and the control of the nucleus reticularis thalami input to rat thalamocortical neurones in vitro

Intracellular recordings were made from neurones in the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) and ventro-basal (VB) thalamus in slices of rat midbrain in vitro. Electrical stimulation of the medial lemniscus or TRN resulted in the generation of complex synaptic potentials containing disynaptic inhibitory post-synaptic potentials (IPSPs) in VB thalamocortical neurones. Analysis of the excitatory synaptic responses in TRN neurones indicates they can produce burst output response irrespective of the level of sub-threshold membrane potential. This suggests that network-evoked IPSPs in VB thalamocortical neurones occur following a burst of TRN action potentials. Using ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists, the activation of these disynaptic events was blocked, and the monosynaptic IPSPs that resulted from the direct activation of the TRN could be isolated. The selective Group II agonists LY354740 (1–10 μM) and N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG; 100–500 μM) both caused a reversible depression of these monosynaptic TRN IPSPs without any effect on membrane potential or input resistance. Likewise, the specific Group III agonist l-2-amino-4-phosphonobutanoate (10–500 μM), but not ( RS)-4-phosphonophenylglycine (1 and 30 μM) also caused a reversible depression of these IPSPs, again without any effect on membrane potential or input resistance. Thus, the IPSPs recorded in VB thalamocortical neurones, evoked by TRN activation, can be depressed by the activation of either Group II or III metabotropic glutamate receptors. This is consistent with the location of these receptor types on the presynaptic terminals of TRN axons in the VB thalamus. This raises the possibility that, during periods of intense excitatory activity, glutamate release could influence the release of GABA from TRN axon terminals in the thalamus. In addition, as NAAG is located in the axons and terminals arising from the TRN, there is the possibility that this dipeptide is also released by these terminals to control the release of GABA during periods of high activity in the TRN.

Dual modulation of excitatory synaptic transmission by agonists at group I metabotropic glutamate receptors in the rat spinal dorsal horn

The effects of group I metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors on excitatory transmission in the rat dorsal horn, but mostly substantia gelatinosa, neurons were investigated using conventional intracellular recording in slices. The broad spectrum mGlu receptor agonist (1 S,3 R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (1 S,3 R-ACPD), the group I mGlu receptor selective agonist ( S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), and the selective mGlu subtype 5 agonist ( RS)-2-chloro-5-hydroxyphenylglycine (CHPG), all induce long-lasting depression of A primary afferent fibers-mediated monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP), and long-lasting potentiation of polysynaptic EPSP, and EPSP in cells receiving C-afferent fiber input. The DHPG potentiation of polysynaptic EPSP was partially or fully reversed by ( S)-4-carboxyphenylglycine ( S-4CPG), the mGlu subtype 1 preferring antagonist. 2-Methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine, the potent and selective mGlu subtype 5 antagonist, partially reversed the CHPG potentiation of polysynaptic EPSP. The effects of DHPG on monosynaptic and polysynaptic EPSPs were reduced, or abolished, by the N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist d(−)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5). A clear and pronounced facilitation of the expression of DHPG- and CHPG-induced enhancement of polysynaptic EPSP, and EPSP evoked at C-fiber strength, was seen in the absence of gamma-aminobutyric acid subtype A receptor- and glycine-mediated synaptic inhibition. Besides dual modulation of excitatory synaptic transmission, DHPG induces depression of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials evoked by primary afferent stimulation in dorsal horn neurons. In addition, group I mGlu receptor agonists produced a direct persistent excitatory postsynaptic effect consisting of a slow membrane depolarization, an increase in input resistance, and an intense neuronal discharge. Cyclothiazide and ( S)-4-CPG, the mGlu receptor subtype 1 preferring antagonists, significantly attenuated the DHPG-induced depolarization. These results demonstrate that the pharmacological activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors induces long-term depression (LTD) and long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission in the spinal dorsal horn. These types of long-term synaptic plasticity may play a functional role in the generation of post-injury hypersensitivity (LTP) or antinociception (LTD).

Presynaptic control of transmission along the pathway mediating disynaptic reciprocal inhibition in the cat.

In cat lumbar motoneurones, disynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) evoked by stimulation of antagonist motor nerves were depressed for at least 150 ms following conditioning stimulation of flexor (1.7-2 times threshold (T)) and ankle extensor (5T) nerves. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possibility that this depression is caused by presynaptic inhibitory mechanisms acting at the terminals of group I afferent fibres projecting to the Ia inhibitory interneurones and/or the terminals of these interneurones to the target motoneurones. Conditioning stimulation of flexor, but not ankle extensor, nerves evoked a depression of the monosynaptic Ia excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) recorded intracellularly in Ia inhibitory interneurones. This depression lasted between 200 and 700 ms and was not accompanied by a depression of the monosynaptic EPSPs evoked by stimulation of descending pathways. These results suggest that flexor, but not ankle extensor, group I afferent fibres can modulate sensory transmission at the synapse between Ia afferent fibres and Ia inhibitory interneurones. Conditioning stimulation of flexor muscle nerves, extensor muscle nerves and cutaneous nerves produced a long-lasting increase in excitability of the terminals of the Ia inhibitory interneurones. The increase in the excitability of the terminals was not secondary to an electrotonic spread of synaptic excitation at the soma. Indeed, concomitant with the excitability increase of the terminals there were signs of synaptic inhibition in the soma. The unitary IPSPs induced in target motoneurones following the spike activity of single Ia inhibitory interneurones were depressed by conditioning stimulation of muscle and cutaneous nerves. Since the conditioning stimulation also evoked compound IPSPs in those motoneurones, a firm conclusion as to whether unitary IPSP depression involved presynaptic inhibitory mechanism of the terminals of the interneurones could not be reached. The possibility that the changes in excitability of the Ia interneuronal terminals reflect the presence of a presynaptic inhibitory mechanism similar to that operating at the terminals of the afferent fibres (presynaptic inhibition) is discussed.1. In cat lumbar motoneurones, disynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) evoked by stimulation of antagonist motor nerves were depressed for at least 150 ms following conditioning stimulation of flexor (1.7-2 times threshold (T)) and ankle extensor (5T) nerves. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possibility that this depression is caused by presynaptic inhibitory mechanisms acting at the terminals of group I afferent fibres projecting to the Ia inhibitory interneurones and/or the terminals of these interneurones to the target motoneurones. Conditioning stimulation of flexor, but not ankle extensor, nerves evoked a depression of the monosynaptic Ia excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) recorded intracellularly in Ia inhibitory interneurones. This depression lasted between 200 and 700 ms and was not accompanied by a depression of the monosynaptic EPSPs evoked by stimulation of descending pathways. These results suggest that flexor, but not ankle extensor, group I afferent fibres can modulate sensory transmission at the synapse between Ia afferent fibres and Ia inhibitory interneurones. Conditioning stimulation of flexor muscle nerves, extensor muscle nerves and cutaneous nerves produced a long-lasting increase in excitability of the terminals of the Ia inhibitory interneurones. The increase in the excitability of the terminals was not secondary to an electrotonic spread of synaptic excitation at the soma. Indeed, concomitant with the excitability increase of the terminals there were signs of synaptic inhibition in the soma. The unitary IPSPs induced in target motoneurones following the spike activity of single Ia inhibitory interneurones were depressed by conditioning stimulation

The GABA B receptor antagonist CGP 55845A reduces presynaptic GABA B actions in neocortical neurons of the rat in vitro

Use-dependent depression of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials was investigated with intracellular recordings and the paired-pulse paradigm in rat neocortical neurons in vitro. Pairs of stimuli invariably reduced the second inhibitory postsynaptic potential-A (GABA A receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potential) of a pair; at interstimulus intervals of 500 ms, the amplitude of the second inhibitory postsynaptic potential-A was considerably smaller than the first (36.2±6.2%, n=17). Decreasing the interstimulus interval reduced the second inhibitory postsynaptic potential-A further and with interstimulus intervals shorter than 330 ms the compound excitatory postsynaptic potential–inhibitory postsynaptic potential response reversed from a hyperpolarizing to a depolarizing response. The depression of the inhibitory postsynaptic potential-A exhibited a maximum at interstimulus intervals near 150 ms and recovered with a time constant of 282±96.2 ms. Elimination of excitatory transmission by the application of 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) and d(−)-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid yielded an essentially unaltered time-course of paired-pulse depression (maximum depression near 150 ms, time constant of recovery 232±98 ms). The polarity change of the compound excitatory postsynaptic potential response at shorter interstimulus intervals was abolished in the presence of CNQX and d(−)-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid. CNQX and d(−)-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid also reduced the apparent depolarizing shift of the reversal potential between the first and second inhibitory postsynaptic potential-A from about 6 mV to less than 2 mV. Application of the GABA B receptor antagonist CGP 55845A in the presence of CNQX and d(−)-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid abolished the inhibitory postsynaptic potential-B and paired-pulse depression. Under these conditions, the amplitude of the second inhibitory postsynaptic potential was, on average, about 90% of the first, i.e. reduced by about 10%. The second inhibitory postsynaptic potential-A was approximately constant at interstimulus intervals between 100 and 500 ms. It is concluded that paired-pulse depression of cortical inhibition is predominantly mediated by presynaptic GABA B receptors of GABAergic interneurons. The abolition of net inhibition at interstimulus intervals near 330 ms may facilitate spread of excitation and neuronal synchrony during repetitive cortical activation near 3 Hz. This use-dependent depression of inhibition may contribute to highly synchronized slow electroencephalogram activity during spike-and-wave or delta activity.

Heterogeneity in use-dependent depression of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in the rat neostriatum in vitro.

"Minimal stimulation" was applied to evoke responses in an "all-or-none" fashion in presumed medium spiny neurons of rat neostriatal slices in the presence of antagonists for glutamatergic excitation. For comparison, responses were evoked in the same cells by compound stimulation. Bicuculline (30 microM) blocked responses evoked by minimal stimulation, indicating that they were gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA)-receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPS), whereas responses evoked by compound stimulation were only reduced in amplitude. Likewise, R(-)baclofen (1-20 microM) blocked IPSPS evoked by minimal stimulation in all but one cell. On the contrary, responses evoked by compound stimulation were always reduced in amplitude but never blocked. Paired-pulse depression (PPD) of averaged responses to minimal and compound stimulation was observed at a stimulus interval of 300 ms. The GABAB receptor antagonist CGP55845A (0.5 microM) had no effect on PPD evoked by compound stimulation but abolished PPD evoked by minimal stimulation. In a second set of experiments, the two stimulation paradigms were used to evoke responses in neostriatal slices continuously bathed in R(-)baclofen (10-20 microM). In R(-)baclofen a strong PPD was evoked by minimal and by compound stimulation. The amplitude of the response to compound stimulation increased on application of CGP55845A (0.5 microM). At the same time, PPD evoked by compound stimulation decreased. On the contrary, IPSP amplitude and PPD evoked by minimal stimulation remained unchanged. We conclude that two types of GABAergic terminals exist in the rat neostriatum, only one of which is regulated by GABAB receptors. However, the other class of terminals, not regulated by GABAB receptors, displays a much more pronounced PPD.

Profound disturbances of pre- and postsynaptic GABAB-receptor-mediated processes in region CA1 in a chronic model of temporal lobe epilepsy.

1. This report examines alterations in presynaptic and postsynaptic processes mediated by gamma-aminobutyric acid-B (GABAB) receptors within hippocampal region CA1 in a model of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Intracellular recordings were obtained in pyramidal cells from combined hippocampal/parahippocampal control slices and slices obtained > or = 1 mo after a period of self-sustaining limbic status epilepticus (SSLSE) induced by continuous hippocampal stimulation. 2. Monosynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) were evoked by placement of the stimulating electrode in stratum pyramidale within 500 microns of the recording electrode in the presence of the ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione and D(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid. Control IPSPs exhibited early (GABAA-receptor-mediated) and late (GABAB-receptor-mediated) components. In contrast, post-SSLSE IPSPs displayed only a GABAA-receptor-mediated IPSP. Post-SSLSE IPSPs were completely eliminated by antagonists of the GABAA receptor (bicuculline methiodide and picrotoxin). In control tissue, GABAB receptor antagonists P-(3-aminopropyl)-P-diethoxymethyl-phosphinic acid (CGP 55845A), 3-N[1-(S)-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) ethyl]amino-2-(S)- hydroxypropyl-P-benzyl-phosphinic acid (CGP 35348), and 2-hydroxysaclofen eliminated the late component of the biphasic IPSP but had no discernible effect on IPSPs evoked in post-SSLSE CA1 pyramidal cells. 3. A paired pulse paradigm was employed to investigate the integrity of presynaptic GABAB-receptor-mediated inhibition of GABA release. To isolate pure GABAA-receptor-mediated responses, and thus facilitate comparison with post-SSLSE tissue, control neurons were penetrated with intracellular electrodes containing Cs2SO4/lidocaine, N-ethyl bromide (QX-314), and IPSPs were evoked employing the monosynaptic IPSP protocol. In controls, paired pulses [interpulse intervals (IPIs) of 70-1,500 ms] resulted in a diminution of the second early, GABAA-receptor-mediated chloride IPSP (IPSPA) relative to the first; maximum paired pulse depression (PPD) occurred at an IPI of 100 ms. GABAB receptor antagonists reduced PPD without affecting the amplitude of IPSPAs; the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen reduced the amplitude of both the first and second IPSPA and largely alleviated PPD. In contrast, no PPD was evident at any IPI in post-SSLSE neurons. Neither antagonists nor agonists of GABAB-receptor-mediated processes had an effect on either the degree of PPD or the amplitude of IPSPs. 4. To better approximate the pattern of CA1 pyramidal cell activation occurring during epileptiform activity. IPSPAs were evoked by trains of stimuli. In controls, mean monosynaptic IPSPA amplitude decreased by approximately 60% during a 3-Hz, 5-s train, with more than half the decline coming between the first and second IPSPs. In post-SSLSE, no significant IPSPA depression resulted from delivery of stimulus trains. Baclofen reduced the amplitude of control IPSPAs evoked during stimulus trains; both agonist and antagonists significantly lessened the degree of IPSP depression. These same agents altered neither IPSP amplitude nor the degree of use-dependent IPSP depression produced in post-SSLSE tissue during stimulus trains. 5. We conclude that a dysfunction of both presynaptic and postsynaptic GABAB-receptor-mediated processes occurs in hippocampal area CA1 in the post-SSLSE model of TLE. GABAB receptor agonists and antagonists had no effect on post-SSLSE CA1 pyramidal cell synaptic responses, whereas antagonists of the GABAA receptor completely eliminated IPSPs. Repetitive activation produced no use-dependent synaptic depression. The implications of these findings for the epileptogenic potential of post-SSLSE CA1 and the "dormant basket cell" hypothesis are discussed.

Presynaptic depression of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials by metabotropic glutamate receptors in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells

The effects of the metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor agonists (±)- trans-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid ( trans-ACPD) or 1 S,3 R-ACPD on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated inhibitory synaptic responses have been investigated in vitro in CA1 pyramidal cells of rat hippocampal slices. Bath application of both agonists depolarized the resting membrane potential and increased membrane resistance. Simultaneously, the afterhyperpolarization induced by a burst of spikes as well as spike accommodation were blocked. Stimulation of the stratum radiatum induced in CA1 pyramidal cells an early excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) followed by a fast GABA A and a slow GABA B-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs). All synaptic responses were dose dependently depressed by mGlu receptor agonists. At low concentration, (±)- trans-ACPD (10–100 μM) and 1 S,3 R-ACPD (10 μM) consistently reduced the EPSP, slightly depressed the fast IPSP but greatly decreased the slow IPSP. Increasing the concentration of mGlu receptor agonists to 200 μM and 50 μM, respectively further depressed the EPSP and dramatically reduced the amplitude of both IPSPs. In the presence of the glutamate receptor antagonists 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (10 μM) and d-(−)-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (30 μM), monosynaptically evoked IPSPs were still depressed by mGlu receptor agonists. In the same conditions, the discharge frequency of spontaneous IPSPs which reflect the activity of GABAergic interneurons was enhanced by low doses of mGlu receptor agonists but depressed with higher concentrations. On the other hand, the postsynaptic hyperpolarization and decrease in membrane resistance induced by the GABA B receptor agonist baclofen applied in the bath or by microiontophoresis were not affected by mGlu receptor agonists. These results indicate that the GABA-mediated IPSPs of CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells are depressed by mGlu receptors located on presynaptic GABAergic terminals. Such heteroreceptors by inhibiting the release of GABA may account for the facilitatory effect of mGlu receptors in the mechanisms of neuronal plasticity.

Decreased monosynaptic GABAB-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells in the aged rat: pharmacological characterization and possible mechanisms.

1. gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) were compared in young and aged rats in CA1 area of the rat hippocampus, with the use of the in vitro intracellular recording technique. D-2-Amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV) and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) were used to suppress synaptic potentials mediated by the excitatory amino acids. 2. Under these conditions, stimulation of the stratum radiatum elicited a monosynaptic fast GABAA (fIPSP) and a slow GABAB (sIPSP)-mediated IPSP. The fIPSP and the sIPSP were further isolated in the presence of the GABAB antagonist CGP 35348 or the GABAA antagonists bicuculline or picrotoxin. No age-related changes were observed in the amplitude and the duration of the fIPSP. In contrast, the amplitude (but not the duration) of the sIPSP was significantly reduced in the aged rat. 3. The postsynaptic hyperpolarization and increase in membrane conductance induced in pyramidal cells by bath application of the GABAB agonist baclofen were comparable in both groups of animals, indicating that the postsynaptic GABAB receptors are not altered in the aged rats. 4. Paired-pulse depression of IPSPs was used in young and aged rats to study possible alterations in GABA release or in presynaptic GABAB receptors that control GABA release. When fIPSPs were isolated by bath application of tetrahydro-9-aminoacridine (THA), no significant difference in the magnitude of the paired-pulse depression was observed between young and aged rats. A similar result was found with the paired-pulse depression of isolated sIPSPs in the presence of bicuculline or picrotoxin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Long-term depression of IPSPs in rat deep cerebellar nuclei.

Stimulation of the white matter between the cerebellar cortex and the deep cerebellar nuclei in rat cerebellar slices, evoked inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in deep nuclear neurones. These IPSPs had reversal potentials close to -75 mV and were blocked by picrotoxinin. Stable IPSPs were evoked when the white matter was stimulated at 0.033 Hz; however, at frequencies > 0.2 Hz, the synaptic transient was suppressed. Paired-pulse depression of the IPSP occurred at inter-pulse intervals of 100-400 ms. Subsequent to stimulation at 0.2-5 Hz, a short-term depression of the IPSP occurred while a tetanic stimulation at 100 Hz caused a long-term depression. These results indicate that IPSPs in the deep cerebellar nuclei undergo activity-mediated plasticity.

GABA A receptor-mediated mechanisms contribute to frequency-dependent depression of IPSPs in the hippocampus

Intracellular recordings from in vitro guinea-pig hippocampal slices were obtained to investigate the mechanisms underlying activity-dependent depression of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in Ca1 pyramidal neurons. IPSPs were studied following blockade of glutamatergic transmission. Attenuation of both fast and slow IPSP components was apparent at stimulus rates of >0.2 Hz, but the late IPSP showed depression at even lower rates of stimulation. Overlap of these events made resolving response components during depression difficult. Fast IPSPs were isolated using CsCl-filled microelectrodes, blocking slow potassium-dependent IPSPs and reversing the chloride gradient. Under this condition repetitive stimulation did not induce IPSP depression. Other experiments showed slow IPSP depression at stimulus rates of <0.5 Hz was relieved in the presence of picrotoxin which antagonizes GABA A events. These results suggest that activity-dependent depression of the fast IPSP results largely from chloride accumulation as a consequence of repetitive activation. Depression of the slow IPSP appears to arise from at least two components: (1) a masking of the slow hyperpolarization resulting from an apparent increase in the depolarizing GABA response due to chloride accumulation; and (2) a novel process involving GABA A receptors, perhaps mediated through presynaptic inhibition.

Computer simulation of carbachol-driven rhythmic population oscillations in the CA3 region of the in vitro rat hippocampus.

1. We used simulations of the in vitro CA3 region of the hippocampus to analyse the 5 Hz population oscillations recorded experimentally in carbachol. 2. A simulation model of the in vitro CA3 region was constructed with 1000 pyramidal neurones and 200 inhibitory neurones (100 producing fast inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) and 100 producing slow IPSPs of delayed onset). Each neurone contained nineteen soma-dendritic compartments. Pyramidal neurones contained six voltage- and/or calcium-dependent ionic currents, whose kinetics were consistent with voltage-clamp data. The connectivity and waveform of unitary synaptic events for excitatory and fast inhibitory synapses were consistent with dual intracellular recordings. This network was shown to generate previously described network oscillations, including synchronized bursts recorded in the presence of GABAA blockers, and synchronized synaptic potentials observed during partial blockade of GABAA inhibition. 3. The model generated 5 Hz oscillations as recorded in carbachol under the following conditions: (a) excitatory synaptic conductance was within a limited range; (b) there was blockade of fast and slow IPSPs (consistent with the experimental lack of effect of bicuculline and phaclofen on carbachol oscillations and the known depression of IPSPs by acetylcholine); (c) the after hyperpolarization (AHP) conductance was reduced (consistent with the known pharmacology of carbachol); (d) the apical dendrites of the pyramidal cells were depolarized, as suggested by the carbachol-induced depolarization of pyramidal neurones. Each oscillation was associated in pyramidal cells with a burst of action potentials riding on a depolarizing wave. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type of excitatory synapse was not necessary for the oscillations to occur. 4. Progressive reduction of excitatory synaptic strength led to an oscillation of the same frequency, with bursts riding on smaller EPSPs (consistent with the experiment). Further reduction of excitatory synaptic strength abolished the population oscillation by uncoupling the neurones. When excitatory synaptic conductance was too large, population oscillations were attenuated as the cells switched from a bursting mode to a repetitively firing mode. 5. Increasing the AHP conductance prolonged the interburst interval as expected. Inclusion of slow IPSPs exerted a similar effect. 6. When fast IPSPs were included, an oscillation with different characteristics emerged: a 10 Hz oscillation that was gated by compound GABAA IPSPs. On any oscillatory wave, few pyramidal neurones fired, and the firing of individual neurones was irregular.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cholinergic disinhibition in area CA1 of the rat hippocampus is not mediated by receptors located on inhibitory neurons

We studied the effects of carbamylcholine (carbachol; CCh) on monosynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) evoked in the presence of the excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX) and D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV). CCh (30 μM) blocked late afterhyperpolarizations but did not depress GABA A receptor-mediated fast monosynaptic IPSPs or GABA B receptor-mediated late monosynaptic IPSPs. In the presence of CCh the GABA B receptor agonist ( ± )-baclofen (2 mM) reversibly hyperpolarized pyramidal neurons and depressed monosynaptic IPSPs as under control conditions. Phorbol-12,13-diacetate (PDAc; 10 μM) increased fast and depressed late monosynaptic IPSPs, and prevented depression of IPSPs by baclofen. These results suggest that cholinergic disinhibition in area CA1 of the hippocampus results from decreased synaptic excitation of inhibitory neurons.

Use-dependent depression of IPSPs in rat hippocampal pyramidal cells in vitro

We have used intracellular recording techniques to study the use-dependence of evoked inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in rat CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells. We determined reversal potentials and conductance changes associated with IPSPs and responses to directly applied gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The IPSP depression could be seen after a single conditioning stimulus. This depression appeared to be due primarily to a 50% decrease in IPSP conductance (gIPSP). Trains of stimulating pulses (50 pulses at 5 or 10 Hz) produced more pronounced effects than a single conditioning pulse. Suprathreshold repetitive stimulation of stratum radiatum (SR) produced epileptiform burst firing and greater depression of IPSPs than did alvear (ALV) or subthreshold SR stimulation. During suprathreshold SR stimulation the IPSP was nearly abolished and the membrane potential could become less negative than the resting potential. A masking effect of facilitated depolarizing potentials on IPSPs was unlikely since IPSPs accompanied by little or no depolarizing potential were also depressed by SR trains. The 75% reduction in IPSP conductance found after repetitive stimulation confirmed that an overlapping conductance was not responsible for the depression of the IPSP. The GABA-induced conductance increase was not depressed by identical trains. Trains of stimulation induced depolarizing shifts in equilibrium potentials for the IPSP (EIPSP) and GABA (EGABA) of approximately 10 mV. These shifts were always greater after SR trains than after ALV trains. Simultaneous recordings of membrane potential and extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]o) with K+-sensitive microelectrodes revealed a direct correlation between the two during a stimulus train. Membrane potential depolarized as much as 18 mV from the peak of the IPSP and [K+]o could increase to a maximum of 10 mM during some trains. A depressant effect (of approximately 50%) of K+ on IPSPs was demonstrated by brief pressure ejection of K+ near the soma. We conclude that repetitive stimulation depresses gIPSP and shifts EIPSP in the depolarizing direction. Whereas gIPSP began to decline after a single conditioning pulse, the additional depression of IPSPs produced by stimulus trains was due in large part to shifts in EIPSP. Depression of gIPSP was not due to desensitization or block of ionic conductances, since gGABA was not reduced. The EIPSP may change as a result of increases in [K+]o.

Long-term potentiation in thin hippocampal sections studied by intracellular and extracellular recordings

To study the mechanism for long-term potentiation, extracellular and intracellular potential changes were examined in thin hippocampal sections in vitro. The field potential elicited by mossy fiber stimulation in the CA3 region (primary response) was augmented for observation periods of 15–60 min after conditioning tetanic stimulation. Tetanization of a group of mossy fibers potentiated responses induced by another group of presynaptic fibers. The augmented primary response was sometimes followed by a train of after-discharges. When long-lasting potentiation of the primary response was observed, an increase in excitatory postsynaptic potential amplitude or a depression of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials was found intracellularly. The afterdischarge train was associated with a large intracellular depolarization of long durations. These results suggest that long-term potentiation of the primary response is due to an enhanced excitatory synaptic transmission and a depression of the inhibitory circuit, and that the depression of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials may be related partly to paroxysmal activities of neurons.