The psychomotor symptoms of Huntington’s disease (HD) are linked to degeneration of the basal gan... more The psychomotor symptoms of Huntington’s disease (HD) are linked to degeneration of the basal ganglia indirect pathway. To determine how this pathway is perturbed prior to cell loss, optogenetic- and reporter-guided electrophysiological interrogation approaches were applied to early symptomatic 6-month-old Q175 HD mice. Although cortical activity was unaffected, indirect pathway striatal projection neurons were hypoactive in vivo, consistent with reduced cortical input strength and dendritic excitability. Downstream parvalbumin-expressing prototypic external globus pallidus (GPe) neurons were hyperactive in vivo and exhibited elevated autonomous firing ex vivo. Optogenetic inhibition of prototypic GPe neurons ameliorated the abnormal hypoactivity of postsynaptic subthalamic nucleus (STN) and putative arkypallidal neurons in vivo. In contrast to STN neurons, autonomous arkypallidal activity was unimpaired ex vivo. Together with previous studies, these findings demonstrate that basal ...
Reciprocally connected GABAergic external globus pallidus (GPe) and glutamatergic subthalamic nuc... more Reciprocally connected GABAergic external globus pallidus (GPe) and glutamatergic subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons form a key network within the basal ganglia. r In Parkinson's disease and its models, abnormal rates and patterns of GPe-STN network activity are linked to motor dysfunction. r Using cell class-specific optogenetic identification and inhibition during cortical slow-wave activity and activation, we report that, in dopamine-depleted mice, (1) D2 dopamine receptor expressing striatal projection neurons (D2-SPNs) discharge at higher rates, especially during cortical activation, (2) prototypic parvalbumin-expressing GPe neurons are excessively patterned by D2-SPNs even though their autonomous activity is upregulated, (3) despite being disinhibited, STN neurons are not hyperactive, and (4) STN activity opposes striatopallidal patterning. r These data argue that in parkinsonian mice abnormal, temporally offset prototypic GPe and STN neuron firing results in part from increased striatopallidal transmission and that compensatory plasticity limits STN hyperactivity and cortical entrainment.
Reciprocally connected GABAergic external globus pallidus (GPe) and glutamatergic subthalamic nuc... more Reciprocally connected GABAergic external globus pallidus (GPe) and glutamatergic subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons form a key, centrally-positioned network within the basal ganglia, a group of subcortical brain nuclei critical for voluntary movement. In Parkinson’s disease (PD) and its models, abnormal rates and patterns of GPe-STN network activity are linked to motor dysfunction. Using cell class-specific optogenetic identification and inhibition approaches during cortical slow-wave activity and activation, we report that in dopamine-depleted mice 1) D2 dopamine receptor expressing striatal projection neurons (D2-SPNs) are hyperactive 2) prototypic parvalbumin (PV)-expressing GPe neurons are excessively patterned by D2-SPNs 3) despite being disinhibited, STN neurons are not hyperactive 4) the STN opposes rather than facilitates abnormal striatopallidal patterning. Together with recent studies, these data argue that in Parkinsonian mice abnormal, temporally offset PV GPe neuron and...
Abnormal subthalamic nucleus (STN) activity is linked to impaired movement in Parkinson's disease... more Abnormal subthalamic nucleus (STN) activity is linked to impaired movement in Parkinson's disease (PD). The autonomous firing of STN neurons, which contributes to their tonic excitation of the extrastriatal basal ganglia and shapes their integration of synaptic input, is downregulated in PD models. Using electrophysiological, chemogenetic, genetic, and optical approaches, we find that chemogenetic activation of indirect pathway striatopallidal neurons downregulates intrinsic STN activity in normal mice but this effect is occluded in Parkinsonian mice. Loss of autonomous spiking in PD mice is prevented by STN N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) knockdown and reversed by reactive oxygen species breakdown or K ATP channel inhibition. Chemogenetic activation of hM3D(Gq) in STN neurons in Parkinsonian mice rescues their intrinsic activity, modifies their synaptic integration, and ameliorates motor dysfunction. Together these data argue that in PD mice increased indirect pathway activity leads to disinhibition of the STN, which triggers maladaptive NMDAR-dependent downregulation of autonomous firing.
Excessive, synaptically-driven synchronization of subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons is widely tho... more Excessive, synaptically-driven synchronization of subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons is widely thought to contribute to akinesia, bradykinesia, and rigidity in Parkinson's disease (PD). Electrophysiological, optogenetic, chemogenetic, genetic, 2-photon imaging, and pharmacological approaches revealed that the autonomous activity of STN neurons, which opposes synaptic synchronization, was downregulated in both toxin and genetic mouse models of PD. Loss of autonomous spiking was due to increased transmission of D2-striatal projection neurons, leading in the STN to elevated activation of NMDA receptors and generation of reactive oxygen species that promoted KATP channel opening. Chemogenetic restoration of autonomous firing in STN neurons reduced synaptic patterning and ameliorated Parkinsonian motor dysfunction, arguing that elevating intrinsic STN activity is an effective therapeutic intervention in PD.
Distinct activity patterns in subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons are observed during normal volunt... more Distinct activity patterns in subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons are observed during normal voluntary movement and abnormal movement in Parkinson's disease (PD). To determine how such patterns of activity are regulated by small conductance (SK) calcium-activated potassium channels (KCa) and voltage-gated calcium (Cav) channels, STN neurons were recorded in the perforated patch configuration in slices, [which were prepared from postnatal day 16 (P16)-P30 rats and held at 37°C] and then treated with the SK KCachannel antagonist apamin or the SK KCaagonist 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone or the Cavchannel antagonists ω-conotoxin GVIA (Cav2.2-selective) or nifedipine (Cav1.2-1.3-selective). In other experiments, fura-2 was introduced as an indicator of intracellular calcium dynamics.A component of the current underlying single-spike afterhyperpolarization was sensitive to apamin, phase-locked to calcium entry via Cav2.2 channels, and necessary for precise, autonomous, single-spike oscill...
One of the functions of the excitatory subthalamic nucleus (STN) is to relay cortical activity to... more One of the functions of the excitatory subthalamic nucleus (STN) is to relay cortical activity to other basal ganglia structures. The response of the STN to cortical input is shaped by inhibition from the reciprocally connected globus pallidus (GP). To examine the activity in the STN–GP network in relation to cortical activity, we recorded single and multiple unit activity in STN and/or GP together with cortical electroencephalogram in anesthetized rats during various states of cortical activation.During cortical slow-wave activity (SWA), STN and GP neurons fired bursts of action potentials at frequencies that were similar to those of coincident slow (∼1 Hz) and spindle (7–14 Hz) cortical oscillations. Spontaneous or sensory-driven global activation was associated with a reduction of SWA and a shift in STN–GP activity from burst- to tonic- or irregular-firing. Rhythmic activity in STN and GP neurons was lost when the cortex was inactivated by spreading depression and did not resume ...
A subpopulation of neurons in the globus pallidus projects to the neostriatum, which is the major... more A subpopulation of neurons in the globus pallidus projects to the neostriatum, which is the major recipient of afferent information to the basal ganglia. Given the moderate nature of this projection, we hypothesized that the pallidostriatal projection might exert indirect but powerful control over principal neuron activity by targeting interneurons, which comprise only a small percentage of neostriatal neurons. This was tested by the juxtacellular labeling and recording of pallidal neurons in combination with immunolabeling of postsynaptic neurons.In addition to innervating the subthalamic nucleus and output nuclei, 6 of 23 labeled pallidal neurons projected to the neostriatum. Both the firing characteristics and the extent of the axonal arborization in the neostriatum were variable. However, light and electron microscopic analysis of five pallidostriatal neurons revealed that each neuron selectively innervated neostriatal interneurons. A large proportion of the boutons of an indivi...
Highlights d Cortico-STN synaptic transmission is reduced by 50%-75% in PD mice d Increased stria... more Highlights d Cortico-STN synaptic transmission is reduced by 50%-75% in PD mice d Increased striato-pallidal transmission triggers cortico-STN input loss d Cortico-STN input loss in PD mice is NMDAR dependent d Reduction of STN plasticity
The regulation of activity in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) by GABAergic inhibition from the reci... more The regulation of activity in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) by GABAergic inhibition from the reciprocally connected globus pallidus (GP) plays an important role in normal movement and disorders of movement. To determine the precise manner in which GABAergic synaptic input, acting at A-type receptors, influences the firing of STN neurons, we recorded the response of STN neurons to GABA-A inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) that were evoked by supramaximal electrical stimulation of the internal capsule using the perforated-patch technique in slices at 37°C. The mean equilibrium potential of the GABA-A IPSP (EGABA-A IPSP) was −79.4 ± 7.0 mV. Single IPSPs disrupted the spontaneous oscillation that underlies rhythmic single-spike firing in STN neurons. As the magnitude of IPSPs increased, the effectiveness of prolonging the interspike interval was related more strongly to the phase of the oscillation at which the IPSP was evoked. Thus the largest IPSPs tended to reset the oscillat...
öThe subthalamic nucleus^globus pallidus network plays a central role in basal ganglia function a... more öThe subthalamic nucleus^globus pallidus network plays a central role in basal ganglia function and dysfunction. To determine whether the relationship between activity in this network and the principal a¡erent of the basal ganglia, the cortex, is altered in a model of Parkinson's disease, we recorded unit activity in the subthalamic nucleusĝ lobus pallidus network together with cortical electroencephalogram in control and 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats under urethane anaesthesia. Subthalamic nucleus neurones in control and 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned animals exhibited low-frequency oscillatory activity, which was tightly correlated with cortical slow-wave activity (V1 Hz). The principal e¡ect of dopamine depletion was that subthalamic nucleus neurones discharged more intensely (233% of control) and globus pallidus neurones developed low-frequency oscillatory ¢ring patterns, without changes in mean ¢ring rate. Ipsilateral cortical ablation largely abolished low-frequency oscillatory activity in the subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus. These data suggest that abnormal low-frequency oscillatory activity in the subthalamic nucleus^globus pallidus network in the dopaminedepleted state is generated by the inappropriate processing of rhythmic cortical input. A component (15^20%) of the network still oscillated following cortical ablation in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned animals, implying that intrinsic properties may also pattern activity when dopamine levels are reduced. The response of the network to global activation was altered by 6-hydroxydopamine lesions. Subthalamic nucleus neurones were excited to a greater extent than in control animals and the majority of globus pallidus neurones were inhibited, in contrast to the excitation elicited in control animals. Inhibitory responses of globus pallidus neurones were abolished by cortical ablation, suggesting that the indirect pathway is augmented abnormally during activation of the dopamine-depleted brain. Taken together, these results demonstrate that both the rate and pattern of activity of subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus neurones are altered profoundly by chronic dopamine depletion. Furthermore, the relative contribution of rate and pattern to aberrant information coding is intimately related to the state of activation of the cerebral cortex.
The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an element of cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuitry c... more The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an element of cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuitry critical for action suppression. In Huntington's disease (HD) action suppression is impaired, resembling the effects of STN lesioning or inactivation. To explore this potential linkage, the STN was studied in BAC transgenic and Q175 knock-in mouse models of HD. At <2 and 6 months of age autonomous STN activity was impaired due to activation of KATP channels. STN neurons exhibited prolonged NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic currents, caused by a deficit in glutamate uptake, and elevated mitochondrial oxidant stress, which was ameliorated by NMDA receptor antagonism. STN activity was rescued by NMDA receptor antagonism or the break down of hydrogen peroxide. At 12 months of age approximately 30% of STN neurons had been lost, as in HD. Together, these data argue that dysfunction within the STN is an early feature of HD that may contribute to its expression and course.
The glutamatergic subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a key component of the basal ganglia, a group of s... more The glutamatergic subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a key component of the basal ganglia, a group of subcortical brain nuclei important for voluntary movement and the site of dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. The rate and pattern of STN activity is precisely regulated by the reciprocally connected GABAergic external globus pallidus (GP(e)) and glutamatergic afferents from the cortex. Subthalamic neurons possess intrinsic membrane properties that underlie the autonomous generation of action potentials and complex forms of synaptic integration. Thus, GABA acting at GABA(A) and/or GABA(B) receptors can inhibit/reset autonomous activity by deactivating postsynaptic voltage-dependent Na(+) (Na(v)) channels and generate sufficient hyperpolarization for rebound burst firing, through the de-inactivation of postsynaptic voltage-dependent Ca(2+) (Ca(v)) and Na(v) channels. Feedback inhibition from the GP(e) can therefore paradoxically and transiently increase the efficacy of subsequent excit...
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, Jan 6, 2005
Reciprocally connected GABAergic neurons of the globus pallidus (GP) and glutamatergic neurons of... more Reciprocally connected GABAergic neurons of the globus pallidus (GP) and glutamatergic neurons of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) are a putative generator of pathological rhythmic burst firing in Parkinson's disease (PD). Burst firing of STN neurons may be driven by rebound depolarization after barrages of GABA(A) receptor (GABA(A)R)-mediated IPSPs arising from pallidal fibers. To determine the conditions under which pallidosubthalamic transmission activates these and other postsynaptic GABARs, a parasagittal mouse brain slice preparation was developed in which pallidosubthalamic connections were preserved. Intact connectivity was first confirmed through the injection of a neuronal tracer into the GP. Voltage-clamp and gramicidin-based perforated-patch current-clamp recordings were then used to study the relative influences of GABA(A)R- and GABA(B)R-mediated pallidosubthalamic transmission on STN neurons. Spontaneous phasic, but not tonic, activation of postsynaptic GABA(A)Rs redu...
Several lines of evidence suggest that the cholinergic neurons of the mesopontine tegmentum conta... more Several lines of evidence suggest that the cholinergic neurons of the mesopontine tegmentum contain elevated levels of glutamate and are the source of cholinergic terminals in the subthalamic nucleus and entopeduncular nucleus. The object of this study was to test whether cholinergic terminals in the entopeduncular nucleus and subthalamic nucleus, also express relatively high levels of glutamate. To address this, double immunocytochemistry was performed at the electron microscopic level. Perfuse-fixed sections of rat brain were immunolabelled to reveal choline acetyltransferase by the pre-embedding avidin-biotin-peroxidase method. Serial ultrathin sections of cholinergic terminals in both the entopeduncular nucleus and subthalamic nucleus were then subjected to post-embedding immunocytochemistry to reveal glutamate and GABA. Quantification of the immunogold labelling showed that choline acetyltransferase-immunopositive terminals and boutons in both regions were significantly enriched in glutamate immunoreactivity and had significantly lower levels of GABA immunoreactivity in comparison to identified GABAergic terminals. Furthermore, the presumed transmitter pool of glutamate i.e. that associated with synaptic vesicles, was significantly greater in the choline acetyltransferase-positive terminals than identified GABA terminals, albeit significantly lower than in established glutamatergic terminals. In the entopeduncular nucleus, a small proportion of cholinergic terminals displayed high levels of GABA immunoreactivity. Taken together with other immunocytochemical and tracing data, the elevated levels of glutamate in cholinergic terminals in the entopeduncular nucleus and subthalamic nucleus, is further evidence adding weight to the suggestion that acetylcholine and glutamate may be co-localized in both the perikarya and terminals of at least a proportion of neurons of the mesopontine tegmentum. 1997 IBRO.
The aim of the present study was to elucidate the organization of the interconnections between th... more The aim of the present study was to elucidate the organization of the interconnections between the subthalamic nucleus and the two segments of the globus pallidus in squirrel monkeys. By making small deposits of tracers in the two segments of the globus pallidus, we demonstrate that interconnected neurons of the subthalamic nucleus and the external pallidum innervate, via axon collaterals, the same population of neurons in the internal pallidum. Furthermore, this organizational principle holds true for different functional regions of the pallidum and the subthalamic nucleus. Injections of biotinylated dextran amine were made in the dorsal (associative), ventrolateral (sensorimotor) and rostromedial (limbic) regions of the internal pallidum. Following these injections, there were rich clusters of labelled terminals in register with retrogradely labelled perikarya in related functional regions of the subthalamic nucleus and the external pallidum. At the electron microscopic level, the majority of labelled terminals in the external pallidum displayed the ultrastructural features of boutons from the subthalamic nucleus and were non-immunoreactive for GABA, whereas those in the subthalamic nucleus resembled terminals from the external pallidum and displayed GABA immunoreactivity. In both cases, the synaptic targets of the labelled terminals included labelled neurons. These observations suggest that the biotinylated dextran amine injected in the internal globus pallidus was transported retrogradely to perikarya in the external pallidum and the subthalamic nucleus and then anterogradely, via axon collaterals, to the subthalamic nucleus and the external pallidum respectively. This suggestion was supported by injections of biotinylated dextran amine or Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin in regions of the external pallidum that corresponded to those containing retrogradely labelled cells following injections in the internal pallidum. The clusters of labelled cells and varicosities that resulted from these injections were found in regions of the subthalamic nucleus similar to those labelled following injections in the internal globus pallidus. Furthermore, terminals from the external pallidum and the subthalamic nucleus converged on the same regions in the internal globus pallidus. The results of the present tracing study define the basic network underlying the interconnections between the external segment of the globus pallidus and the subthalamic nucleus, and their connections with the output neurons of the basal ganglia in primates.
The two principal movement-suppressing pathways of the basal ganglia, the so-called hyperdirect a... more The two principal movement-suppressing pathways of the basal ganglia, the so-called hyperdirect and indirect pathways, interact within the subthalamic nucleus (STN). An appropriate level and pattern of hyperdirect pathway cortical excitation and indirect pathway external globus pallidus (GPe) inhibition of the STN are critical for normal movement and are greatly perturbed in Parkinson's disease. Here we demonstrate that motor cortical inputs to the STN heterosynaptically regulate, through activation of postsynaptic NMDA receptors, the number of functional GABA A receptor-mediated GPe-STN inputs. Therefore, a homeostatic mechanism, intrinsic to the STN, balances cortical excitation by adjusting the strength of GPe inhibition. However, following the loss of dopamine, excessive cortical activation of STN NMDA receptors triggers GPe-STN inputs to strengthen abnormally, contributing to the emergence of pathological, correlated activity.
The activity of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is intimately related to movement and is generated,... more The activity of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is intimately related to movement and is generated, in part, by voltage-dependent Na + (Na v) channels that drive autonomous firing. In order to determine the principles underlying the initiation and propagation of action potentials in STN neurons, 2-photon laser scanning microscopy was used to guide tight-seal whole-cell somatic and loose-seal cell-attached axonal/dendritic patch-clamp recordings and compartment-selective ion channel manipulation in rat brain slices. Action potentials were first detected in a region that corresponded most closely to the unmyelinated axon initial segment, as defined by Golgi and ankyrin G labelling. Following initiation, action potentials propagated reliably into axonal and somatodendritic compartments with conduction velocities of ∼5 m s −1 and ∼0.7 m s −1 , respectively. Action potentials generated by neurons with axons truncated within or beyond the axon initial segment were not significantly different. However, axon initial segment and somatic but not dendritic or more distal axonal application of low [Na + ] ACSF or the selective Na v channel blocker tetrodotoxin consistently depolarized action potential threshold. Finally, somatodendritic but not axonal application of GABA evoked large, rapid inhibitory currents in concordance with electron microscopic analyses, which revealed that the somatodendritic compartment was the principal target of putative inhibitory inputs. Together the data are consistent with the conclusions that in STN neurons the axon initial segment and soma express an excess of Na v channels for the generation of autonomous activity, while synaptic activation of somatodendritic GABA A receptors regulates the axonal initiation of action potentials.
Reciprocally connected glutamatergic subthalamic nucleus (STN) and GABAergic external globus pall... more Reciprocally connected glutamatergic subthalamic nucleus (STN) and GABAergic external globus pallidus (GP) neurons normally exhibit weakly correlated, irregular activity but following the depletion of dopamine in Parkinson's disease they express more highly correlated, rhythmic bursting activity. Patch clamp recording was used to test the hypothesis that dopaminergic modulation reduces the capability of GABAergic inputs to pattern 'pathological' activity in STN neurons. Electrically evoked GABA A receptor-mediated IPSCs exhibited activity-dependent plasticity in STN neurons, i.e. IPSCs evoked at frequencies between 1 and 50 Hz exhibited depression that increased with the frequency of activity. Dopamine, the D 2-like dopamine receptor agonist quinpirole and external media containing a low [Ca 2+ ] reduced both the magnitude of IPSCs evoked at 1-50 Hz and synaptic depression at 10-50 Hz. Dopamine/quinpirole also reduced the frequency but not the amplitude of miniature IPSCs recorded in the presence of tetrodotoxin. D 1-like and D 4 agonists were ineffective and D 2/3 but not D4 receptor antagonists reversed the effects of dopamine or quinpirole. Together these data suggest that presynaptic D 2/3 dopamine receptors modulate the short-term dynamics of GABAergic transmission in the STN by lowering the initial probability of transmitter release. Simulated GABA A receptor-mediated synaptic conductances representative of control or modulated transmission were then generated in STN neurons using the dynamic clamp technique. Dopamine-modulated transmission was less effective at resetting autonomous activity or generating rebound burst firing than control transmission. The data therefore support the conclusion that dopamine acting at presynaptic D 2-like receptors reduces the propensity for GABAergic transmission to generate correlated, bursting activity in STN neurons.
The activity patterns of subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons, which are intimately related to norma... more The activity patterns of subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons, which are intimately related to normal movement and abnormal movement in Parkinson's disease (PD), are sculpted by feedback GABAergic inhibition from the reciprocally connected globus pallidus (GP). To understand the principles underlying the integration of GABAergic inputs, we used gramicidin-based patch-clamp recording of STN neurons in rat brain slices. Voltage-dependent Na+(Nav) channels actively truncated synthetic IPSPs and were required for autonomous activity. In contrast, hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated and class 3 voltage-dependent Ca2+channels contributed minimally to the integration of single or low-frequency trains of IPSPs and autonomous activity. Interestingly, IPSPs modified action potentials (APs) in a manner that suggested IPSPs enhanced postsynaptic Navchannel availability. This possibility was confirmed in acutely isolated STN neurons using current-clamp recordings containing IPSP...
The psychomotor symptoms of Huntington’s disease (HD) are linked to degeneration of the basal gan... more The psychomotor symptoms of Huntington’s disease (HD) are linked to degeneration of the basal ganglia indirect pathway. To determine how this pathway is perturbed prior to cell loss, optogenetic- and reporter-guided electrophysiological interrogation approaches were applied to early symptomatic 6-month-old Q175 HD mice. Although cortical activity was unaffected, indirect pathway striatal projection neurons were hypoactive in vivo, consistent with reduced cortical input strength and dendritic excitability. Downstream parvalbumin-expressing prototypic external globus pallidus (GPe) neurons were hyperactive in vivo and exhibited elevated autonomous firing ex vivo. Optogenetic inhibition of prototypic GPe neurons ameliorated the abnormal hypoactivity of postsynaptic subthalamic nucleus (STN) and putative arkypallidal neurons in vivo. In contrast to STN neurons, autonomous arkypallidal activity was unimpaired ex vivo. Together with previous studies, these findings demonstrate that basal ...
Reciprocally connected GABAergic external globus pallidus (GPe) and glutamatergic subthalamic nuc... more Reciprocally connected GABAergic external globus pallidus (GPe) and glutamatergic subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons form a key network within the basal ganglia. r In Parkinson's disease and its models, abnormal rates and patterns of GPe-STN network activity are linked to motor dysfunction. r Using cell class-specific optogenetic identification and inhibition during cortical slow-wave activity and activation, we report that, in dopamine-depleted mice, (1) D2 dopamine receptor expressing striatal projection neurons (D2-SPNs) discharge at higher rates, especially during cortical activation, (2) prototypic parvalbumin-expressing GPe neurons are excessively patterned by D2-SPNs even though their autonomous activity is upregulated, (3) despite being disinhibited, STN neurons are not hyperactive, and (4) STN activity opposes striatopallidal patterning. r These data argue that in parkinsonian mice abnormal, temporally offset prototypic GPe and STN neuron firing results in part from increased striatopallidal transmission and that compensatory plasticity limits STN hyperactivity and cortical entrainment.
Reciprocally connected GABAergic external globus pallidus (GPe) and glutamatergic subthalamic nuc... more Reciprocally connected GABAergic external globus pallidus (GPe) and glutamatergic subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons form a key, centrally-positioned network within the basal ganglia, a group of subcortical brain nuclei critical for voluntary movement. In Parkinson’s disease (PD) and its models, abnormal rates and patterns of GPe-STN network activity are linked to motor dysfunction. Using cell class-specific optogenetic identification and inhibition approaches during cortical slow-wave activity and activation, we report that in dopamine-depleted mice 1) D2 dopamine receptor expressing striatal projection neurons (D2-SPNs) are hyperactive 2) prototypic parvalbumin (PV)-expressing GPe neurons are excessively patterned by D2-SPNs 3) despite being disinhibited, STN neurons are not hyperactive 4) the STN opposes rather than facilitates abnormal striatopallidal patterning. Together with recent studies, these data argue that in Parkinsonian mice abnormal, temporally offset PV GPe neuron and...
Abnormal subthalamic nucleus (STN) activity is linked to impaired movement in Parkinson's disease... more Abnormal subthalamic nucleus (STN) activity is linked to impaired movement in Parkinson's disease (PD). The autonomous firing of STN neurons, which contributes to their tonic excitation of the extrastriatal basal ganglia and shapes their integration of synaptic input, is downregulated in PD models. Using electrophysiological, chemogenetic, genetic, and optical approaches, we find that chemogenetic activation of indirect pathway striatopallidal neurons downregulates intrinsic STN activity in normal mice but this effect is occluded in Parkinsonian mice. Loss of autonomous spiking in PD mice is prevented by STN N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) knockdown and reversed by reactive oxygen species breakdown or K ATP channel inhibition. Chemogenetic activation of hM3D(Gq) in STN neurons in Parkinsonian mice rescues their intrinsic activity, modifies their synaptic integration, and ameliorates motor dysfunction. Together these data argue that in PD mice increased indirect pathway activity leads to disinhibition of the STN, which triggers maladaptive NMDAR-dependent downregulation of autonomous firing.
Excessive, synaptically-driven synchronization of subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons is widely tho... more Excessive, synaptically-driven synchronization of subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons is widely thought to contribute to akinesia, bradykinesia, and rigidity in Parkinson's disease (PD). Electrophysiological, optogenetic, chemogenetic, genetic, 2-photon imaging, and pharmacological approaches revealed that the autonomous activity of STN neurons, which opposes synaptic synchronization, was downregulated in both toxin and genetic mouse models of PD. Loss of autonomous spiking was due to increased transmission of D2-striatal projection neurons, leading in the STN to elevated activation of NMDA receptors and generation of reactive oxygen species that promoted KATP channel opening. Chemogenetic restoration of autonomous firing in STN neurons reduced synaptic patterning and ameliorated Parkinsonian motor dysfunction, arguing that elevating intrinsic STN activity is an effective therapeutic intervention in PD.
Distinct activity patterns in subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons are observed during normal volunt... more Distinct activity patterns in subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons are observed during normal voluntary movement and abnormal movement in Parkinson's disease (PD). To determine how such patterns of activity are regulated by small conductance (SK) calcium-activated potassium channels (KCa) and voltage-gated calcium (Cav) channels, STN neurons were recorded in the perforated patch configuration in slices, [which were prepared from postnatal day 16 (P16)-P30 rats and held at 37°C] and then treated with the SK KCachannel antagonist apamin or the SK KCaagonist 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone or the Cavchannel antagonists ω-conotoxin GVIA (Cav2.2-selective) or nifedipine (Cav1.2-1.3-selective). In other experiments, fura-2 was introduced as an indicator of intracellular calcium dynamics.A component of the current underlying single-spike afterhyperpolarization was sensitive to apamin, phase-locked to calcium entry via Cav2.2 channels, and necessary for precise, autonomous, single-spike oscill...
One of the functions of the excitatory subthalamic nucleus (STN) is to relay cortical activity to... more One of the functions of the excitatory subthalamic nucleus (STN) is to relay cortical activity to other basal ganglia structures. The response of the STN to cortical input is shaped by inhibition from the reciprocally connected globus pallidus (GP). To examine the activity in the STN–GP network in relation to cortical activity, we recorded single and multiple unit activity in STN and/or GP together with cortical electroencephalogram in anesthetized rats during various states of cortical activation.During cortical slow-wave activity (SWA), STN and GP neurons fired bursts of action potentials at frequencies that were similar to those of coincident slow (∼1 Hz) and spindle (7–14 Hz) cortical oscillations. Spontaneous or sensory-driven global activation was associated with a reduction of SWA and a shift in STN–GP activity from burst- to tonic- or irregular-firing. Rhythmic activity in STN and GP neurons was lost when the cortex was inactivated by spreading depression and did not resume ...
A subpopulation of neurons in the globus pallidus projects to the neostriatum, which is the major... more A subpopulation of neurons in the globus pallidus projects to the neostriatum, which is the major recipient of afferent information to the basal ganglia. Given the moderate nature of this projection, we hypothesized that the pallidostriatal projection might exert indirect but powerful control over principal neuron activity by targeting interneurons, which comprise only a small percentage of neostriatal neurons. This was tested by the juxtacellular labeling and recording of pallidal neurons in combination with immunolabeling of postsynaptic neurons.In addition to innervating the subthalamic nucleus and output nuclei, 6 of 23 labeled pallidal neurons projected to the neostriatum. Both the firing characteristics and the extent of the axonal arborization in the neostriatum were variable. However, light and electron microscopic analysis of five pallidostriatal neurons revealed that each neuron selectively innervated neostriatal interneurons. A large proportion of the boutons of an indivi...
Highlights d Cortico-STN synaptic transmission is reduced by 50%-75% in PD mice d Increased stria... more Highlights d Cortico-STN synaptic transmission is reduced by 50%-75% in PD mice d Increased striato-pallidal transmission triggers cortico-STN input loss d Cortico-STN input loss in PD mice is NMDAR dependent d Reduction of STN plasticity
The regulation of activity in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) by GABAergic inhibition from the reci... more The regulation of activity in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) by GABAergic inhibition from the reciprocally connected globus pallidus (GP) plays an important role in normal movement and disorders of movement. To determine the precise manner in which GABAergic synaptic input, acting at A-type receptors, influences the firing of STN neurons, we recorded the response of STN neurons to GABA-A inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) that were evoked by supramaximal electrical stimulation of the internal capsule using the perforated-patch technique in slices at 37°C. The mean equilibrium potential of the GABA-A IPSP (EGABA-A IPSP) was −79.4 ± 7.0 mV. Single IPSPs disrupted the spontaneous oscillation that underlies rhythmic single-spike firing in STN neurons. As the magnitude of IPSPs increased, the effectiveness of prolonging the interspike interval was related more strongly to the phase of the oscillation at which the IPSP was evoked. Thus the largest IPSPs tended to reset the oscillat...
öThe subthalamic nucleus^globus pallidus network plays a central role in basal ganglia function a... more öThe subthalamic nucleus^globus pallidus network plays a central role in basal ganglia function and dysfunction. To determine whether the relationship between activity in this network and the principal a¡erent of the basal ganglia, the cortex, is altered in a model of Parkinson's disease, we recorded unit activity in the subthalamic nucleusĝ lobus pallidus network together with cortical electroencephalogram in control and 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats under urethane anaesthesia. Subthalamic nucleus neurones in control and 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned animals exhibited low-frequency oscillatory activity, which was tightly correlated with cortical slow-wave activity (V1 Hz). The principal e¡ect of dopamine depletion was that subthalamic nucleus neurones discharged more intensely (233% of control) and globus pallidus neurones developed low-frequency oscillatory ¢ring patterns, without changes in mean ¢ring rate. Ipsilateral cortical ablation largely abolished low-frequency oscillatory activity in the subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus. These data suggest that abnormal low-frequency oscillatory activity in the subthalamic nucleus^globus pallidus network in the dopaminedepleted state is generated by the inappropriate processing of rhythmic cortical input. A component (15^20%) of the network still oscillated following cortical ablation in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned animals, implying that intrinsic properties may also pattern activity when dopamine levels are reduced. The response of the network to global activation was altered by 6-hydroxydopamine lesions. Subthalamic nucleus neurones were excited to a greater extent than in control animals and the majority of globus pallidus neurones were inhibited, in contrast to the excitation elicited in control animals. Inhibitory responses of globus pallidus neurones were abolished by cortical ablation, suggesting that the indirect pathway is augmented abnormally during activation of the dopamine-depleted brain. Taken together, these results demonstrate that both the rate and pattern of activity of subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus neurones are altered profoundly by chronic dopamine depletion. Furthermore, the relative contribution of rate and pattern to aberrant information coding is intimately related to the state of activation of the cerebral cortex.
The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an element of cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuitry c... more The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an element of cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuitry critical for action suppression. In Huntington's disease (HD) action suppression is impaired, resembling the effects of STN lesioning or inactivation. To explore this potential linkage, the STN was studied in BAC transgenic and Q175 knock-in mouse models of HD. At <2 and 6 months of age autonomous STN activity was impaired due to activation of KATP channels. STN neurons exhibited prolonged NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic currents, caused by a deficit in glutamate uptake, and elevated mitochondrial oxidant stress, which was ameliorated by NMDA receptor antagonism. STN activity was rescued by NMDA receptor antagonism or the break down of hydrogen peroxide. At 12 months of age approximately 30% of STN neurons had been lost, as in HD. Together, these data argue that dysfunction within the STN is an early feature of HD that may contribute to its expression and course.
The glutamatergic subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a key component of the basal ganglia, a group of s... more The glutamatergic subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a key component of the basal ganglia, a group of subcortical brain nuclei important for voluntary movement and the site of dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. The rate and pattern of STN activity is precisely regulated by the reciprocally connected GABAergic external globus pallidus (GP(e)) and glutamatergic afferents from the cortex. Subthalamic neurons possess intrinsic membrane properties that underlie the autonomous generation of action potentials and complex forms of synaptic integration. Thus, GABA acting at GABA(A) and/or GABA(B) receptors can inhibit/reset autonomous activity by deactivating postsynaptic voltage-dependent Na(+) (Na(v)) channels and generate sufficient hyperpolarization for rebound burst firing, through the de-inactivation of postsynaptic voltage-dependent Ca(2+) (Ca(v)) and Na(v) channels. Feedback inhibition from the GP(e) can therefore paradoxically and transiently increase the efficacy of subsequent excit...
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, Jan 6, 2005
Reciprocally connected GABAergic neurons of the globus pallidus (GP) and glutamatergic neurons of... more Reciprocally connected GABAergic neurons of the globus pallidus (GP) and glutamatergic neurons of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) are a putative generator of pathological rhythmic burst firing in Parkinson's disease (PD). Burst firing of STN neurons may be driven by rebound depolarization after barrages of GABA(A) receptor (GABA(A)R)-mediated IPSPs arising from pallidal fibers. To determine the conditions under which pallidosubthalamic transmission activates these and other postsynaptic GABARs, a parasagittal mouse brain slice preparation was developed in which pallidosubthalamic connections were preserved. Intact connectivity was first confirmed through the injection of a neuronal tracer into the GP. Voltage-clamp and gramicidin-based perforated-patch current-clamp recordings were then used to study the relative influences of GABA(A)R- and GABA(B)R-mediated pallidosubthalamic transmission on STN neurons. Spontaneous phasic, but not tonic, activation of postsynaptic GABA(A)Rs redu...
Several lines of evidence suggest that the cholinergic neurons of the mesopontine tegmentum conta... more Several lines of evidence suggest that the cholinergic neurons of the mesopontine tegmentum contain elevated levels of glutamate and are the source of cholinergic terminals in the subthalamic nucleus and entopeduncular nucleus. The object of this study was to test whether cholinergic terminals in the entopeduncular nucleus and subthalamic nucleus, also express relatively high levels of glutamate. To address this, double immunocytochemistry was performed at the electron microscopic level. Perfuse-fixed sections of rat brain were immunolabelled to reveal choline acetyltransferase by the pre-embedding avidin-biotin-peroxidase method. Serial ultrathin sections of cholinergic terminals in both the entopeduncular nucleus and subthalamic nucleus were then subjected to post-embedding immunocytochemistry to reveal glutamate and GABA. Quantification of the immunogold labelling showed that choline acetyltransferase-immunopositive terminals and boutons in both regions were significantly enriched in glutamate immunoreactivity and had significantly lower levels of GABA immunoreactivity in comparison to identified GABAergic terminals. Furthermore, the presumed transmitter pool of glutamate i.e. that associated with synaptic vesicles, was significantly greater in the choline acetyltransferase-positive terminals than identified GABA terminals, albeit significantly lower than in established glutamatergic terminals. In the entopeduncular nucleus, a small proportion of cholinergic terminals displayed high levels of GABA immunoreactivity. Taken together with other immunocytochemical and tracing data, the elevated levels of glutamate in cholinergic terminals in the entopeduncular nucleus and subthalamic nucleus, is further evidence adding weight to the suggestion that acetylcholine and glutamate may be co-localized in both the perikarya and terminals of at least a proportion of neurons of the mesopontine tegmentum. 1997 IBRO.
The aim of the present study was to elucidate the organization of the interconnections between th... more The aim of the present study was to elucidate the organization of the interconnections between the subthalamic nucleus and the two segments of the globus pallidus in squirrel monkeys. By making small deposits of tracers in the two segments of the globus pallidus, we demonstrate that interconnected neurons of the subthalamic nucleus and the external pallidum innervate, via axon collaterals, the same population of neurons in the internal pallidum. Furthermore, this organizational principle holds true for different functional regions of the pallidum and the subthalamic nucleus. Injections of biotinylated dextran amine were made in the dorsal (associative), ventrolateral (sensorimotor) and rostromedial (limbic) regions of the internal pallidum. Following these injections, there were rich clusters of labelled terminals in register with retrogradely labelled perikarya in related functional regions of the subthalamic nucleus and the external pallidum. At the electron microscopic level, the majority of labelled terminals in the external pallidum displayed the ultrastructural features of boutons from the subthalamic nucleus and were non-immunoreactive for GABA, whereas those in the subthalamic nucleus resembled terminals from the external pallidum and displayed GABA immunoreactivity. In both cases, the synaptic targets of the labelled terminals included labelled neurons. These observations suggest that the biotinylated dextran amine injected in the internal globus pallidus was transported retrogradely to perikarya in the external pallidum and the subthalamic nucleus and then anterogradely, via axon collaterals, to the subthalamic nucleus and the external pallidum respectively. This suggestion was supported by injections of biotinylated dextran amine or Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin in regions of the external pallidum that corresponded to those containing retrogradely labelled cells following injections in the internal pallidum. The clusters of labelled cells and varicosities that resulted from these injections were found in regions of the subthalamic nucleus similar to those labelled following injections in the internal globus pallidus. Furthermore, terminals from the external pallidum and the subthalamic nucleus converged on the same regions in the internal globus pallidus. The results of the present tracing study define the basic network underlying the interconnections between the external segment of the globus pallidus and the subthalamic nucleus, and their connections with the output neurons of the basal ganglia in primates.
The two principal movement-suppressing pathways of the basal ganglia, the so-called hyperdirect a... more The two principal movement-suppressing pathways of the basal ganglia, the so-called hyperdirect and indirect pathways, interact within the subthalamic nucleus (STN). An appropriate level and pattern of hyperdirect pathway cortical excitation and indirect pathway external globus pallidus (GPe) inhibition of the STN are critical for normal movement and are greatly perturbed in Parkinson's disease. Here we demonstrate that motor cortical inputs to the STN heterosynaptically regulate, through activation of postsynaptic NMDA receptors, the number of functional GABA A receptor-mediated GPe-STN inputs. Therefore, a homeostatic mechanism, intrinsic to the STN, balances cortical excitation by adjusting the strength of GPe inhibition. However, following the loss of dopamine, excessive cortical activation of STN NMDA receptors triggers GPe-STN inputs to strengthen abnormally, contributing to the emergence of pathological, correlated activity.
The activity of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is intimately related to movement and is generated,... more The activity of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is intimately related to movement and is generated, in part, by voltage-dependent Na + (Na v) channels that drive autonomous firing. In order to determine the principles underlying the initiation and propagation of action potentials in STN neurons, 2-photon laser scanning microscopy was used to guide tight-seal whole-cell somatic and loose-seal cell-attached axonal/dendritic patch-clamp recordings and compartment-selective ion channel manipulation in rat brain slices. Action potentials were first detected in a region that corresponded most closely to the unmyelinated axon initial segment, as defined by Golgi and ankyrin G labelling. Following initiation, action potentials propagated reliably into axonal and somatodendritic compartments with conduction velocities of ∼5 m s −1 and ∼0.7 m s −1 , respectively. Action potentials generated by neurons with axons truncated within or beyond the axon initial segment were not significantly different. However, axon initial segment and somatic but not dendritic or more distal axonal application of low [Na + ] ACSF or the selective Na v channel blocker tetrodotoxin consistently depolarized action potential threshold. Finally, somatodendritic but not axonal application of GABA evoked large, rapid inhibitory currents in concordance with electron microscopic analyses, which revealed that the somatodendritic compartment was the principal target of putative inhibitory inputs. Together the data are consistent with the conclusions that in STN neurons the axon initial segment and soma express an excess of Na v channels for the generation of autonomous activity, while synaptic activation of somatodendritic GABA A receptors regulates the axonal initiation of action potentials.
Reciprocally connected glutamatergic subthalamic nucleus (STN) and GABAergic external globus pall... more Reciprocally connected glutamatergic subthalamic nucleus (STN) and GABAergic external globus pallidus (GP) neurons normally exhibit weakly correlated, irregular activity but following the depletion of dopamine in Parkinson's disease they express more highly correlated, rhythmic bursting activity. Patch clamp recording was used to test the hypothesis that dopaminergic modulation reduces the capability of GABAergic inputs to pattern 'pathological' activity in STN neurons. Electrically evoked GABA A receptor-mediated IPSCs exhibited activity-dependent plasticity in STN neurons, i.e. IPSCs evoked at frequencies between 1 and 50 Hz exhibited depression that increased with the frequency of activity. Dopamine, the D 2-like dopamine receptor agonist quinpirole and external media containing a low [Ca 2+ ] reduced both the magnitude of IPSCs evoked at 1-50 Hz and synaptic depression at 10-50 Hz. Dopamine/quinpirole also reduced the frequency but not the amplitude of miniature IPSCs recorded in the presence of tetrodotoxin. D 1-like and D 4 agonists were ineffective and D 2/3 but not D4 receptor antagonists reversed the effects of dopamine or quinpirole. Together these data suggest that presynaptic D 2/3 dopamine receptors modulate the short-term dynamics of GABAergic transmission in the STN by lowering the initial probability of transmitter release. Simulated GABA A receptor-mediated synaptic conductances representative of control or modulated transmission were then generated in STN neurons using the dynamic clamp technique. Dopamine-modulated transmission was less effective at resetting autonomous activity or generating rebound burst firing than control transmission. The data therefore support the conclusion that dopamine acting at presynaptic D 2-like receptors reduces the propensity for GABAergic transmission to generate correlated, bursting activity in STN neurons.
The activity patterns of subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons, which are intimately related to norma... more The activity patterns of subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons, which are intimately related to normal movement and abnormal movement in Parkinson's disease (PD), are sculpted by feedback GABAergic inhibition from the reciprocally connected globus pallidus (GP). To understand the principles underlying the integration of GABAergic inputs, we used gramicidin-based patch-clamp recording of STN neurons in rat brain slices. Voltage-dependent Na+(Nav) channels actively truncated synthetic IPSPs and were required for autonomous activity. In contrast, hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated and class 3 voltage-dependent Ca2+channels contributed minimally to the integration of single or low-frequency trains of IPSPs and autonomous activity. Interestingly, IPSPs modified action potentials (APs) in a manner that suggested IPSPs enhanced postsynaptic Navchannel availability. This possibility was confirmed in acutely isolated STN neurons using current-clamp recordings containing IPSP...
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