Optogenetic activation of parvalbumin and somatostatin interneurons selectively restores theta-nested gamma oscillations and oscillation-induced spike timing-dependent long-term potentiation impaired by amyloid β oligomers

BACKGROUND: Abnormal accumulation of amyloid β1-42 oligomers (AβO1-42), a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, impairs hippocampal theta-nested gamma oscillations and long-term potentiation (LTP) that are believed to underlie learning and memory. Parvalbumin-positive (PV) and somatostatin-positive (SST) interneurons are critically involved in theta-nested gamma oscillogenesis and LTP induction. However, how AβO1-42 affects PV and SST interneuron circuits is unclear. Through optogenetic manipulation of PV and SST interneurons and computational modeling of the hippocampal neural circuits, we dissected the contributions of PV and SST interneuron circuit dysfunctions on AβO1-42-induced impairments of hippocampal theta-nested gamma oscillations and oscillation-induced LTP. RESULTS: Targeted whole-cell patch-clamp recordings and optogenetic manipulations of PV and SST interneurons during in vivo-like, optogenetically induced theta-nested gamma oscillations in vitro revealed that AβO1-42 causes synapse-specific dysfunction in PV and SST interneurons. AβO1-42 selectively disrupted CA1 pyramidal cells (PC)-to-PV interneuron and PV-to-PC synapses to impair theta-nested gamma oscillogenesis. In contrast, while having no effect on PC-to-SST or SST-to-PC synapses, AβO1-42 selectively disrupted SST interneuron-mediated disinhibition to CA1 PC to impair theta-nested gamma oscillation-induced spike timing-dependent LTP (tLTP). Such AβO1-42-induced impairments of gamma oscillogenesis and oscillation-induced tLTP were fully restored by optogenetic activation of PV and SST interneurons, respectively, further supporting synapse-specific dysfunctions in PV and SST interneurons. Finally, computational modeling of hippocampal neural circuits including CA1 PC, PV, and SST interneurons confirmed the experimental observations and further revealed distinct functional roles of PV and SST interneurons in theta-nested gamma oscillations and tLTP induction. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal that AβO1-42 causes synapse-specific dysfunctions in PV and SST interneurons and that optogenetic modulations of these interneurons present potential therapeutic targets for restoring hippocampal network oscillations and synaptic plasticity impairments in Alzheimer's disease

Neurocomputational models of Alzheimer’s disease

There have been a few attempts to design computational models of AD. Some of these models focus on hippocampus function yet many suffer from simulating exact effects of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. See Duch (2007) for a review of some AD models. Below, we discuss biochemical, single cell, biophysical spiking, and systems-level and abstract models of AD

Mammalian Brain As a Network of Networks

Acknowledgements AZ, SG and AL acknowledge support from the Russian Science Foundation (16-12-00077). Authors thank T. Kuznetsova for Fig. 6.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Creating a Computational Model of Prion Disease in the Human Neocortex

One way to study disease is to model specific biological reactions or processes involved in the generation of the disease in terms of a system of differential equations. The equations, called kinetic rate laws, are often non-linear and high order, making them difficult to solve. By approximating equations in complex biological networks as linear first order reactions, we can solve large sets of equations using computational software, such as MATLAB, to determine general trends in the change of molecular concentrations over time. These trends can tell us details about the disease and direct us toward areas worthy of further investigation. We can gain additional information concerning the potential behavior of a disease by superimposing its signaling network over a spatial approximation. In our work, we were able to generate a representation of a small volume of the human neocortex by modeling neurons cylinders. Cylinders act as a reliable model to describe the approximate radial symmetry of neurons. We also derived probability density equations for the dendrites and axons of each neuros. The model system is flexible so that any set of differential equations can be superimposed onto it. We plan to run our own devised system of equations for prion disease on the spatial model to see how its results differ from those produced by the kinetic equations alone

Kinetic modeling of amyloid fibrillation and synaptic plasticity as memory loss and formation mechanisms

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, 2008.Includes bibliographical references (p. 141-150).The principles of biochemical kinetics and system engineering are applied to explain memory-related neuroscientific phenomena. Amyloid fibrillation and synaptic plasticity have been our focus of research due to their significance. The former is related to the pathology of many neurodegenerative diseases and the later is regarded as the principal mechanism underlying learning and memory. Claimed to be the number one cause of senile dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the disorders that involve misfolding of amyloid protein and formation of insoluble fibrils. Although a variety of time dependent fibrillation data in vitro are available, few mechanistic models have been developed. To bridge this gap we used chemical engineering concepts from polymer dynamics, particle mechanics and population balance models to develop a mathematical formulation of amyloid growth dynamics. A three-stage mechanism consisting of natural protein misfolding, nucleation, and fibril elongation phases was proposed to capture the features of homogeneous fibrillation responses. While our cooperative laboratory provided us with experimental findings, we guided them with experimental design based on modeling work. It was through the iterative process that the size of fibril nuclei and concentration profiles of soluble proteins were elucidated. The study also reveals further experiments for diagnosing the evolution of amyloid coagulation and probing desired properties of potential fibrillation inhibitors. Synaptic plasticity at various time ranges has been studied experimentally to elucidate memory formation mechanism. By comparison, the theoretical work is underdeveloped and insufficient to explain some experiments. To resolve the issue, we developed models for short-term, long-term, and spike timing dependent synaptic plasticity, respectively.(cont.) First, presynaptic vesicle trafficking that leads to the release of glutamate as neurotransmitter was taken into account to explain short-term plasticity data. Second, long-term plasticity data lasting for hours after tetanus stimuli has been matched by a calcium entrapment model we developed. Model differentiation was done to demonstrate the better performance of calcium entrapment model than an alternative bistable theory in fitting graded long-term potentiation responses. Finally, to decipher spike timing dependent plasticity (STDP), we developed a systematic model incorporating back propagation of action potential, dual requirement of NMDA receptors, and calcium dependent plasticity. This built model is supported by five different types of STDP experimental data. The accumulation of amyloid beta has been found to disrupt the sustainable modification of long-term synaptic plasticity which might explain the inability of AD patients to form new memory at early stage of the disease. Yet the linkage between the existence of amyloid beta species and failure of long-term plasticity was unclear. We suggest that the abnormality of calcium entrapment function caused by amyloid oligomers is the intermediate step that eventually leads to memory loss. Unsustainable calcium level and decreased postsynaptic activities result into the removal or internalization of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors. The number of AMPA receptors as the indicators of synaptic strength may result into disconnection between neurons and even neuronal apoptosis. New experiments have been suggested to validate this hypothesis and to elucidate the pathology of Alzheimer's disease.by Chuang-Chung (Justin) Lee.Ph.D

Bidirectional Coupling between Astrocytes and Neurons Mediates Learning and Dynamic Coordination in the Brain: A Multiple Modeling Approach

In recent years research suggests that astrocyte networks, in addition to nutrient and waste processing functions, regulate both structural and synaptic plasticity. To understand the biological mechanisms that underpin such plasticity requires the development of cell level models that capture the mutual interaction between astrocytes and neurons. This paper presents a detailed model of bidirectional signaling between astrocytes and neurons (the astrocyte-neuron model or AN model) which yields new insights into the computational role of astrocyte-neuronal coupling. From a set of modeling studies we demonstrate two significant findings. Firstly, that spatial signaling via astrocytes can relay a “learning signal” to remote synaptic sites. Results show that slow inward currents cause synchronized postsynaptic activity in remote neurons and subsequently allow Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity based learning to occur at the associated synapses. Secondly, that bidirectional communication between neurons and astrocytes underpins dynamic coordination between neuron clusters. Although our composite AN model is presently applied to simplified neural structures and limited to coordination between localized neurons, the principle (which embodies structural, functional and dynamic complexity), and the modeling strategy may be extended to coordination among remote neuron clusters

Abeta(1-42) Enhances Neuronal Excitability in the CA1 via NR2B Subunit-Containing NMDA Receptors

Neuronal hyperexcitability is a phenomenon associated with early Alzheimer’s disease. The underlying mechanism is considered to involve excessive activation of glutamate receptors; however, the exact molecular pathway remains to be determined. Extracellular recording from the CA1 of hippocampal slices is a long-standing standard for a range of studies both in basic research and in neuropharmacology. Evoked field potentials (fEPSPs) are regarded as the input, while spiking rate is regarded as the output of the neuronal network; however, the relationship between these two phenomena is not fully clear. We investigated the relationship between spontaneous spiking and evoked fEPSPs using mouse hippocampal slices. Blocking AMPA receptors (AMPARs) with CNQX abolished fEPSPs, but left firing rate unchanged. NMDA receptor (NMDAR) blockade with MK801 decreased neuronal spiking dose dependently without altering fEPSPs. Activating NMDARs by small concentration of NMDA induced a trend of increased firing. These results suggest that fEPSPs are mediated by synaptic activation of AMPARs, while spontaneous firing is regulated by the activation of extrasynaptic NMDARs. Synaptotoxic Abeta(1-42) increased firing activity without modifying evoked fEPSPs. This hyperexcitation was prevented by ifenprodil, an antagonist of the NR2B NMDARs. Overall, these results suggest that Abeta(1-42) induced neuronal overactivity is not dependent on AMPARs but requires NR2B

Abnormal Excitability of Oblique Dendrites Implicated in Early Alzheimer's: A Computational Study

The integrative properties of cortical pyramidal dendrites are essential to the neural basis of cognitive function, but the impact of amyloid beta protein (aβ) on these properties in early Alzheimer's is poorly understood. In animal models, electrophysiological studies of proximal dendrites have shown that aβ induces hyperexcitability by blocking A-type K+ currents (IA), disrupting signal integration. The present study uses a computational approach to analyze the hyperexcitability induced in distal dendrites beyond the experimental recording sites. The results show that back-propagating action potentials in the dendrites induce hyperexcitability and excessive calcium concentrations not only in the main apical trunk of pyramidal cell dendrites, but also in their oblique dendrites. Evidence is provided that these thin branches are particularly sensitive to local reductions in IA. The results suggest the hypothesis that the oblique branches may be most vulnerable to disruptions of IA by early exposure to aβ, and point the way to further experimental analysis of these actions as factors in the neural basis of the early decline of cognitive function in Alzheimer's