112 research outputs found
Fluctuating Inhibitory Inputs Promote Reliable Spiking at Theta Frequencies in Hippocampal Interneurons
Theta-frequency (4–12 Hz) rhythms in the hippocampus play important roles in learning and memory. CA1 interneurons located at the stratum lacunosum-moleculare and radiatum junction (LM/RAD) are thought to contribute to hippocampal theta population activities by rhythmically pacing pyramidal cells with inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. This implies that LM/RAD cells need to fire reliably at theta frequencies in vivo. To determine whether this could occur, we use biophysically based LM/RAD model cells and apply different cholinergic and synaptic inputs to simulate in vivo-like network environments. We assess spike reliabilities and spiking frequencies, identifying biophysical properties and network conditions that best promote reliable theta spiking. We find that synaptic background activities that feature large inhibitory, but not excitatory, fluctuations are essential. This suggests that strong inhibitory input to these cells is vital for them to be able to contribute to population theta activities. Furthermore, we find that Type I-like oscillator models produced by augmented persistent sodium currents (INaP) or diminished A-type potassium currents (IA) enhance reliable spiking at lower theta frequencies. These Type I-like models are also the most responsive to large inhibitory fluctuations and can fire more reliably under such conditions. In previous work, we showed that INaP and IA are largely responsible for establishing LM/RAD cells’ subthreshold activities. Taken together with this study, we see that while both these currents are important for subthreshold theta fluctuations and reliable theta spiking, they contribute in different ways – INaP to reliable theta spiking and subthreshold activity generation, and IA to subthreshold activities at theta frequencies. This suggests that linking subthreshold and suprathreshold activities should be done with consideration of both in vivo contexts and biophysical specifics
Effect of Background Synaptic Activity on Excitatory-Postsynaptic Potential-Spike Coupling
Neurons receive large amount of synaptic inputs in vivo, which may impact the coupling between EPSPs and spikes. We mimicked the in vivo synaptic activity of the cell with the dynamic clamp system. We recorded from pyramidal cells in neocortical slices in vitro to investigate how timing and probability of spike generation in response to an EPSP is affected by background synaptic conductance under these conditions. We found that near threshold, background synaptic conductance improved the precision of spike timing by reducing the depolarization-related prolongation of the EPSP. In cells with ongoing spike activity and background synaptic conductances, an EPSP rapidly increased the probability of firing. The time window of the spike probability increase was comparable to the EPSP rise time and was followed by a long period of reduced firing. We found that the net synaptic gain was determined not only by the amplitude of the EPSP, but also by the firing frequency of the cell. In addition, a background fluctuating conductance reduced the time window of perturbation of spike patterns generated by EPSP related spikes. Taken together, these results indicate that in vivo, the level of the background synaptic activity may regulate spike-timing precision and affect synaptic gain
Dynamic Control of Network Level Information Processing through Cholinergic Modulation
Acetylcholine (ACh) release is a prominent neurochemical marker of arousal state
within the brain. Changes in ACh are associated with changes in neural activity and
information processing, though its exact role and the mechanisms through which it
acts are unknown. Here I show that the dynamic changes in ACh levels that are
associated with arousal state control informational processing functions of networks
through its effects on the degree of Spike-Frequency Adaptation (SFA), an activity
dependent decrease in excitability, synchronizability, and neuronal resonance displayed
by single cells. Using numerical modeling I develop mechanistic explanations
for how control of these properties shift network activity from a stable high frequency
spiking pattern to a traveling wave of activity. This transition mimics the change
in brain dynamics seen between high ACh states, such as waking and Rapid Eye
Movement (REM) sleep, and low ACh states such as Non-REM (NREM) sleep. A
corresponding, and related, transition in network level memory recall is also occurs
as ACh modulates neuronal SFA. When ACh is at its highest levels (waking) all
memories are stably recalled, as ACh is decreased (REM) in the model weakly encoded
memories destabilize while strong memories remain stable. In levels of ACh
that match Slow Wave Sleep (SWS), no encoded memories are stably recalled. This
results from a competition between SFA and excitatory input strength and provides
a mechanism for neural networks to control the representation of underlying synaptic
information. Finally I show that during the low ACh conditions, oscillatory conditions
allow for external inputs to be properly stored in and recalled from synaptic weights. Taken together this work demonstrates that dynamic neuromodulation is
critical for the regulation of information processing tasks in neural networks. These
results suggest that ACh is capable of switching networks between two distinct information
processing modes. Rate coding of information is facilitated during high
ACh conditions and phase coding of information is facilitated during low ACh conditions.
Finally I propose that ACh levels control whether a network is in one of
three functional states: (High ACh; Active waking) optimized for encoding of new
information or the stable representation of relevant memories, (Mid ACh; resting
state or REM) optimized for encoding connections between currently stored memories
or searching the catalog of stored memories, and (Low ACh; NREM) optimized
for renormalization of synaptic strength and memory consolidation. This work provides
a mechanistic insight into the role of dynamic changes in ACh levels for the
encoding, consolidation, and maintenance of memories within the brain.PHDNeuroscienceUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147503/1/roachjp_1.pd
Oscillatory mechanisms for controlling information flow in neural circuits
Mammalian brains generate complex, dynamic structures of oscillatory activity, in which
distributed regions transiently engage in coherent oscillation, often at specific stages in behavioural
or cognitive tasks. Much is now known about the dynamics underlying local circuit
synchronisation and the phenomenology of where and when such activity occurs. While
oscillations have been implicated in many high level processes, for most such phenomena we
cannot say with confidence precisely what they are doing at an algorithmic or implementational
level. This thesis presents work towards understanding the dynamics and possible function of large
scale oscillatory network activity. We first address the question of how coherent oscillatory activity
emerges between local networks by measuring phase response curves of an oscillating network in
vitro. The network phase response curves provide mechanistic insight into inter-region
synchronisation of local network oscillators. Highly simplified firing models are shown to
reproduce the experimental data with remarkable accuracy. We then focus on one hypothesised
computational function of network oscillations; flexibly controlling the gain of signal flow between
anatomically connected networks. We investigate coding strategies and algorithmic operations that
support flexible control of signal flow by oscillations, and their implementation by network
dynamics. We identify two readout algorithms which selectively recover population rate coded
signal with specific oscillatory modulations while ignoring other distracting inputs. By designing a
spiking network model that implements one of these mechanisms, we demonstrate oscillatory
control of signal flow in convergent pathways. We then investigate constraints on the structures of
oscillatory activity that can be used to accurately and selectively control signal flow. Our results
suggest that for inputs to be accurately distinguished from one another their oscillatory modulations
must be close to orthogonal. This has implications for interpreting in vivo oscillatory activity, and
may be an organising principle for the spatio-temporal structure of brain oscillations
Investigating the role of fast-spiking interneurons in neocortical dynamics
PhD ThesisFast-spiking interneurons are the largest interneuronal population in neocortex. It is
well documented that this population is crucial in many functions of the neocortex by
subserving all aspects of neural computation, like gain control, and by enabling
dynamic phenomena, like the generation of high frequency oscillations. Fast-spiking
interneurons, which represent mainly the parvalbumin-expressing, soma-targeting
basket cells, are also implicated in pathological dynamics, like the propagation of
seizures or the impaired coordination of activity in schizophrenia. In the present thesis,
I investigate the role of fast-spiking interneurons in such dynamic phenomena by using
computational and experimental techniques.
First, I introduce a neural mass model of the neocortical microcircuit featuring divisive
inhibition, a gain control mechanism, which is thought to be delivered mainly by the
soma-targeting interneurons. Its dynamics were analysed at the onset of chaos and
during the phenomena of entrainment and long-range synchronization. It is
demonstrated that the mechanism of divisive inhibition reduces the sensitivity of the
network to parameter changes and enhances the stability and
exibility of oscillations.
Next, in vitro electrophysiology was used to investigate the propagation of activity in
the network of electrically coupled fast-spiking interneurons. Experimental evidence
suggests that these interneurons and their gap junctions are involved in the propagation
of seizures. Using multi-electrode array recordings and optogenetics, I investigated the
possibility of such propagating activity under the conditions of raised extracellular K+
concentration which applies during seizures. Propagated activity was recorded and the
involvement of gap junctions was con rmed by pharmacological manipulations.
Finally, the interaction between two oscillations was investigated. Two oscillations with di erent frequencies were induced in cortical slices by directly activating the pyramidal
cells using optogenetics. Their interaction suggested the possibility of a coincidence
detection mechanism at the circuit level. Pharmacological manipulations were used to
explore the role of the inhibitory interneurons during this phenomenon. The results,
however, showed that the observed phenomenon was not a result of synaptic activity.
Nevertheless, the experiments provided some insights about the excitability of the
tissue through scattered light while using optogenetics.
This investigation provides new insights into the role of fast-spiking interneurons in the
neocortex. In particular, it is suggested that the gain control mechanism is important
for the physiological oscillatory dynamics of the network and that the gap junctions
between these interneurons can potentially contribute to the inhibitory restraint during
a seizure.Wellcome Trust
On the role of parvalbumin interneurons in neuronal network activity in the prefrontal cortex
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is an area important for executive functions, the initiation and
temporal organization of goal-directed behavior, as well as social behaviors. Inhibitory
interneurons expressing parvalbumin (PV) have a vital role in modulating PFC circuit plasticity
and output, as inhibition by PV interneurons on excitatory pyramidal neurons regulates the
excitability of the network. Thus, dysfunctions of prefrontal PV interneurons are implicated in
the pathophysiology of a range of PFC-dependent neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by
excitation and inhibition (E/I) imbalance and impaired gamma oscillations.
In particular, the hypofunction of receptors important for neurotransmission and regulating
cellular functions, such as the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and the tyrosine
receptor kinase B (trkB), has been implicated in PV dysfunction. Notably, this hypofunction is
known to impair the normal development of PV interneurons. However, it can also affect adult
brain activity. The effects of altered receptors on PV interneurons are multiple, from impaired
morphological connectivity to disruption of intrinsic activity, but have not yet been fully
characterized. Moreover, the effects of deficits of PV neuron-mediated inhibition on neuronal
network activity are complex, involved with compensatory mechanisms, and not fully
understood either. For instance, the E/I imbalance due to PV inhibition has been suggested to
functionally disrupt the cortex, which can be observed through an abnormal increase in
broadband gamma activity. But as the synchronous activity of cortical PV interneurons is
necessary for the generation of cortical gamma oscillations, it is paradoxical that deficient PV
inhibition is associated with increased broadband gamma power.
This thesis aims to examine the role of PV interneurons in shaping neuronal network activity
in the mouse PFC by investigating the microscopic to macroscopic functional effects of
disrupting receptors necessary for the proper activity of PV interneurons.
In paper I, we observed that the increase of broadband gamma power due to NMDAR
hypofunction in PV neurons is associated with asynchronies of network activity, confirming
that dysfunction of neuronal inhibition can cause desynchronization at multiple time scales
(affecting entrainment of spikes by the LFP, as well as cross-frequency coupling and brain
states fragmentation). In Paper II, we prompted and analyzed the rippling effect of PV
dysfunction in the adult PFC by expressing a dominant-negative trkB receptor specifically in
PV interneurons. Despite avoiding interfering with the development of the brain, we found
pronounced morphological and functional alterations in the targeted PV interneurons. These
changes were associated with unusual aggressive behavior coupled with gamma-band
alterations and a decreased modulation of prefrontal excitatory neuronal populations by PV
interneurons.
Thus, the work presented in this thesis furthers our understanding of the role of PV function in
PFC circuitry, particularly of two receptors that are central to the role of PV interneurons in
coordinating local circuit activity. A better understanding of the potential mechanisms that
could explain the neuronal changes seen in individuals with neuropsychiatric dysfunctions
could lead to using gamma oscillations or BDNF-trkB levels as biomarkers in psychiatric
disorders. It also presents possibilities for potential treatments designed around reestablishing
E/I balance by modifying receptor levels in particular cell types
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