GABAergic Input (gabaergic + input)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Selective 5-HT1B receptor inhibition of glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic activity in the rat dorsal and median raphe

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 12 2006
Julia C. Lemos
Abstract The dorsal (DR) and median (MR) raphe nuclei contain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) cell bodies that give rise to the majority of the ascending 5-HT projections to the forebrain. The DR and MR have differential roles in mediating stress, anxiety and depression. Glutamate and GABA activity sculpt putative 5-HT neuronal firing and 5-HT release in a seemingly differential manner in the MR and DR, yet isolated glutamate and GABA activity within the DR and MR has not been systematically characterized. Visualized whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques were used to record excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (EPSC and IPSC) in 5-HT-containing neurons. There was a regional variation in action potential-dependent (spontaneous) and basal [miniature (m)] glutamate and GABAergic activity. mEPSC activity was greater than mIPSC activity in the DR, whereas in the MR the mIPSC activity was greater. These differences in EPSC and IPSC frequency indicate that glutamatergic and GABAergic input have distinct cytoarchitectures in the DR and MR. 5-HT1B receptor activation decreased mEPSC frequency in the DR and the MR, but selectively inhibited mIPSC activity only in the MR. This finding, in concert with its previously described function as an autoreceptor, suggests that 5-HT1B receptors influence the ascending 5-HT system through multiple mechanisms. The disparity in organization and integration of glutamatergic and GABAergic input to DR and MR neurons and their regulation by 5-HT1B receptors may contribute to the distinction in MR and DR regulation of forebrain regions and their differential function in the aetiology and pharmacological treatment of psychiatric disease states. [source]


Inhibition of superior colliculus neurons by a GABAergic input from the pretectal nuclear complex in the rat

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 12 2004
Gesche Born
Abstract The mammalian pretectal nuclear complex (PNC) is a visual and visuomotor control structure which is strongly connected to other subcortical visual structures. This indicates that the PNC also controls subcortical visual information flow during the execution of various oculomotor programs. A prominent, presumably GABAergic, projection from the PNC targets the superficial grey layer of the superior colliculus (SC), which itself is a central structure for visual information processing necessary for the generation of saccadic eye movements. In order to characterize the pretecto-tectal projection in vitro, we performed whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from SC and PNC neurons in slices obtained from 3,6-week-old pigmented rats. Focal glutamate injections into the PNC and electrical PNC stimulation were used to induce postsynaptic responses in SC neurons. Electrical stimulation of the SC allowed electrophysiological identification of PNC neurons that provide the inhibitory pretecto-tectal input. Only inhibitory postsynaptic currents could be elicited in SC neurons both by pharmacological and by electrical activation of the ipsilateral PNC. Concomitantly, a small number of PNC neurons could be antidromically activated from the ipsilateral SC. Most SC cells postsynaptic to the prectectal input showed the dendritic morphology of wide-field and narrow-field cells and are therefore regarded as projection neurons. All inhibitory currents evoked by PNC activation could be completely blocked by bath application of the selective GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline. Together these results indicate that SC projection neurons receive a direct inhibitory input from the ipsilateral PNC and that this input is mediated by GABAA receptors. [source]


High level of mGluR7 in the presynaptic active zones of select populations of GABAergic terminals innervating interneurons in the rat hippocampus

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 12 2003
Peter Somogyi
Abstract The release of neurotransmitters is modulated by presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), which show a highly selective expression and subcellular location in glutamatergic terminals in the hippocampus. Using immunocytochemistry, we investigated whether one of the receptors, mGluR7, whose level of expression is governed by the postsynaptic target, was present in GABAergic terminals and whether such terminals targeted particular cells. A total of 165 interneuron dendritic profiles receiving 466 synapses (82% mGluR7a-positive) were analysed. The presynaptic active zones of most GAD-(77%) or GABA-positive (94%) synaptic boutons on interneurons innervated by mGluR7a-enriched glutamatergic terminals (mGluR7a-decorated) were immunopositive for mGluR7a. GABAergic terminals on pyramidal cells and most other interneurons in str. oriens were mGluR7a-immunonegative. The mGluR7a-decorated cells were mostly somatostatin- and mGluR1,-immunopositive neurons in str. oriens and the alveus. Their GABAergic input mainly originated from VIP-positive terminals, 90% of which expressed high levels of mGluR7a in the presynaptic active zone. Parvalbumin-positive synaptic terminals were rare on mGluR7a-decorated cells, but on these neurons 73% of them were mGluR7a-immunopositive. Some type II synapses innervating interneurons were immunopositive for mGluR7b, as were some type I synapses. Because not all target cells of VIP-positive neurons are known it has not been possible to determine whether mGluR7 is expressed in a target-cell-specific manner in the terminals of single GABAergic cells. The activation of mGluR7 may decrease GABA release to mGluR7-decorated cells at times of high pyramidal cell activity, which elevates extracellular glutamate levels. Alternatively, the presynaptic receptor may be activated by as yet unidentified endogenous ligands released by the GABAergic terminals or the postsynaptic dendrites. [source]


Selective GABAergic innervation of thalamic nuclei from zona incerta

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 6 2002
P. Barthó
Abstract Thalamocortical circuits that govern cortical rhythms and ultimately effect sensory transmission consist of three major interconnected elements: excitatory thalamocortical and corticothalamic neurons and GABAergic cells in the reticular thalamic nucleus. Based on the present results, a fourth component has to be added to this scheme. GABAergic fibres from an extrareticular diencephalic source were found to selectively innervate relay cells located mainly in higher-order thalamic nuclei. The origin of this pathway was localized to zona incerta (ZI), known to receive collaterals from corticothalamic fibres. First-order nuclei were innervated only in zones showing a high density of calbindin-positive neurons. The large GABA-immunoreactive incertal terminals established multiple contacts preferentially on the proximal dendrites of relay cells via symmetrical synapses with multiple release sites. The distribution, ultrastructural characteristics and postsynaptic target selection of extrareticular terminals were similar to type II muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-positive boutons, which constituted up to 49% of all GABAergic terminals in the posterior nucleus. This suggests that a significant proportion of the GABAergic input into certain thalamic territories involved in higher-order functions may have extrareticular origin. Unlike the reticular nucleus, ZI receives peripheral and layer V cortical input but no thalamic feedback; it projects to brainstem centres and has extensive intranuclear recurrent collaterals. This indicates that ZI exerts a conceptually new type of inhibitory control over the thalamus. The proximally situated, multiple active zones of ZI terminals indicate a powerful influence on the firing properties of thalamic neurons, which is conveyed to multiple cortical areas via relay cells which have widespread projections to neocortex. [source]


Glutamate receptor stimulation induces a persistent rhythmicity of the GABAergic inputs to rat midbrain dopaminergic neurons

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 5 2001
Nicola Berretta
Abstract The substantia nigra pars compacta and the ventral tegmental area are part of a complex network in the basal ganglia involved in behaviours as diverse as motor planning, generation of pleasure and drug addiction. Here we report that in the dopaminergic neurons of the rat ventral midbrain a brief coactivation of group I metabotropic and NMDA glutamate receptors may transform a temporally dispersed synaptic GABAergic input into a rhythmic pattern (range 4.5,22.5 Hz), probably through a mechanism involving electrotonic couplings. The plastic and long-lasting modification in the temporal code of the inhibitory synaptic activity induced by glutamate may be a key element in determining the function of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in both normal and pathological behaviour. [source]


Age-dependent enhancement of inhibitory synaptic transmission in CA1 pyramidal neurons via GluR5 kainate receptors

HIPPOCAMPUS, Issue 8 2009
Changqing Xu
Abstract Changes in hippocampal synaptic networks during aging may contribute to age-dependent compromise of cognitive functions such as learning and memory. Previous studies have demonstrated that GABAergic synaptic transmission exhibits age-dependent changes. To better understand such age-dependent changes of GABAergic synaptic inhibition, we performed whole-cell recordings from pyramidal cells in the CA1 area of acute hippocampal slices on aged (24,26 months old) and young (2,4 months old) Brown-Norway rats. We found that the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic current (IPSCs) were significantly increased in aged rats, but the frequency and amplitude of mIPSCs were decreased. Furthermore, the regulation of GABAergic synaptic transmission by GluR5 containing kainate receptors was enhanced in aged rats, which was revealed by using LY382884 (a GluR5 kainate receptor antagonist) and ATPA (a GluR5 kainate receptor agonist). Moreover, we demonstrated that vesicular glutamate transporters are involved in the kainate receptor dependent regulation of sIPSCs. Taken together, these results suggest that GABAergic synaptic transmission is potentiated in aged rats, and GluR5 containing kainate receptors regulate the inhibitory synaptic transmission through endogenous glutamate. These alterations of GABAergic input with aging could contribute to age-dependent cognitive decline. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Regulation of rat mesencephalic GABAergic neurones through muscarinic receptors

THE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2 2004
François J. Michel
Central dopamine neurones are involved in regulating cognitive and motor processes. Most of these neurones are located in the ventral mesencephalon where they receive abundant intrinsic and extrinsic GABAergic input. Cholinergic neurones, originating from mesopontine nuclei, project profusely in the mesencephalon where they preferentially synapse onto local GABAergic neurones. The physiological role of this cholinergic innervation of GABAergic neurones remains to be determined, but these observations raise the hypothesis that ACh may regulate dopamine neurones indirectly through GABAergic interneurones. Using a mesencephalic primary culture model, we studied the impact of cholinergic agonists on mesencephalic GABAergic neurones. ACh increased the frequency of spontaneous IPSCs (151 ± 49%). Selective activation of muscarinic receptors increased the firing rate of isolated GABAergic neurones by 67 ± 13%. The enhancement in firing rate was Ca2+ dependent since inclusion of BAPTA in the pipette blocked it, actually revealing a decrease in firing rate accompanied by membrane hyperpolarization. This inhibitory action was prevented by tertiapin, a blocker of GIRK-type K+ channels. In addition to its excitatory somatodendritic effect, activation of muscarinic receptors also acted presynaptically, inhibiting the amplitude of unitary GABAergic synaptic currents. Both the enhancement in spontaneous IPSC frequency and presynaptic inhibition were abolished by 4-DAMP (100 nm), a preferential M3 muscarinic receptor antagonist. The presence of M3-like receptors on mesencephalic GABAergic neurones was confirmed by immunocytochemistry. Taken together, these results demonstrate that mesencephalic GABAergic neurones can be regulated directly through muscarinic receptors. Our findings provide new data that should be helpful in better understanding the influence of local GABAergic neurones during cholinergic activation of mesencephalic circuits. [source]


Synaptic Control Of Motoneuron Excitability In Rodents: From Months To Milliseconds

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1-2 2000
Gd Funk
SUMMARY 1. Motoneurons (MN) shape motor patterns by transforming inputs into action potential output. This transformation, excitability, is determined by an interaction between synaptic inputs and intrinsic membrane properties. Excitability is not static, but changes over multiple time scales. The purpose of the present paper is to review our recent data on synaptic factors important in the dynamic control of MN excitability over time scales ranging from weeks to milliseconds. 2. Developmental changes in modulation of MN excitability are well established. Noradrenergic potentiation of hypoglossal (XII) MN inspiratory activity in rhythmically active medullary slice preparations from rodents increases during the first two postnatal weeks. This is due to increasing ,1 - and ,-adrenoceptor excitatory mechanisms and to a decreasing inhibitory mechanism mediated by ,2 -adrenoceptors. Over a similar period, ATP potentiation of XII inspiratory activity does not change. 3. Motoneuron excitability may also change on a faster time scale, such as between different behaviours or different phases of a behaviour. Examination of this has been confounded by the fact that excitatory synaptic drives underlying behaviour can obscure smaller concurrent changes in excitability. Using the rhythmically active neonatal rat brain-stem,spinal cord preparation, we blocked excitatory inspiratory drive to phrenic MN (PMN) to reveal a reduction in PMN excitability specific to the inspiratory phase that: (i) arises from an inhibitory GABAergic input; (ii) is not mediated by recurrent pathways; and (iii) is proportional to and synchronous with the excitatory inspiratory input. We propose that the proportionality of the concurrent inhibitory and excitatory drives provides a means for phase- specific modulation of PMN gain. 4. Modulation across such diverse time scales emphasizes the active role that synaptic factors play in controlling MN excitability and shaping behaviour. [source]


Glutamate receptor stimulation induces a persistent rhythmicity of the GABAergic inputs to rat midbrain dopaminergic neurons

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 5 2001
Nicola Berretta
Abstract The substantia nigra pars compacta and the ventral tegmental area are part of a complex network in the basal ganglia involved in behaviours as diverse as motor planning, generation of pleasure and drug addiction. Here we report that in the dopaminergic neurons of the rat ventral midbrain a brief coactivation of group I metabotropic and NMDA glutamate receptors may transform a temporally dispersed synaptic GABAergic input into a rhythmic pattern (range 4.5,22.5 Hz), probably through a mechanism involving electrotonic couplings. The plastic and long-lasting modification in the temporal code of the inhibitory synaptic activity induced by glutamate may be a key element in determining the function of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in both normal and pathological behaviour. [source]


Effect of halothane on type 2 immobility-related hippocampal theta field activity and theta-on/theta-off cell discharges

HIPPOCAMPUS, Issue 1 2003
Brian H. Bland
Abstract Rats were studied in acute and chronic (freely moving) recording conditions during exposure to different levels of the volatile anesthetic halothane, in order to assess effects on hippocampal theta field activity in the chronic condition and on theta-related cellular discharges in the acute condition. Previous work has shown that the generation of hippocampal type 2 theta depends on the coactivation of cholinergic and GABAergic inputs from the medial septum. Based on these data and recent findings that halothane acts on interneuron GABAA receptors, we predicted that exposure of rats to subanesthetic levels would result in the induction of type 2 theta field activity. In the chronic condition, exposure to subanesthetic levels of halothane (0.5,1.0 vol %) was found to induce theta field activity during periods of immobility (type 2 theta) with a mean increase of 39% in amplitude (mV) compared to control levels during movement. The total percentage of signal power (V2) associated with peak theta frequencies (80% compared to control levels of 47%) was also increased by halothane. Over the whole range of administered halothane concentrations, theta field frequency progressively declined from a mean peak frequency of 6.5 ± 0.8 Hz at 0.5 vol % halothane to a mean peak frequency of 4.0 ± 1.8 Hz at 2.0 vol % halothane. Subsequent administration of a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist, atropine sulfate, selectively abolished all type 2 immobility-related theta field activity, while type 1 movement-related theta was still intact. At anesthetic levels (1.5,2.0 vol %) in acute experiments, hippocampal field activity spontaneously cycled between theta and large-amplitude irregular activity. Analysis of depth profiles in four experiments revealed they were identical to those previously described for rats under urethane anesthesia conditions. In addition, the discharge properties of 31 theta-related cells, classified as tonic and phasic theta-on and tonic and phasic theta-off cells, did not differ significantly from those described previously in rats anesthetized with urethane. These data provide further support for an involvement of GABAA receptors in the generation of hippocampal theta. Hippocampus 2003;13:38,47. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]