At immature mossy-fiber-CA3 synapses, correlated presynaptic and postsynaptic activity persistently enhances GABA release and network excitability via BDNF and cAMP-dependent PKA

Altered neuronal lactate dehydrogenase A expression affects cognition in a sex- and age-dependent manner

The astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle (ANLS) model posits that astrocyte-generated lactate is transported to neurons to fuel memory processes. However, neurons express high levels of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), the rate-limiting enzyme of lactate production, suggesting a cognitive role for neuronally generated lactate. It was hypothesized that lactate metabolism in neurons is critical for learning and memory. Here transgenic mice were generated to conditionally induce or knockout (KO) the Ldha gene in CNS neurons of adult mice. High pattern separation memory was enhanced by neuronal Ldha induction in young females, and by neuronal Ldha KO in aged females. In older mice, Ldha induction caused cognitive deficits whereas Ldha KO caused cognitive improvements. Genotype-associated cognitive changes were often only observed in one sex or oppositely in males and females. Thus, neuronal-generated lactate has sex-specific cognitive effects, is largely indispensable at young age, and may be detrimental to learning and memory with aging.

Increased levels and activation of the IL-17 receptor in microglia contribute to enhanced neuroinflammation in cerebellum of hyperammonemic rats

BACKGROUND

Patients with liver cirrhosis may show minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) with mild cognitive impairment and motor incoordination. Rats with chronic hyperammonemia reproduce these alterations. Motor incoordination in hyperammonemic rats is due to increased GABAergic neurotransmission in cerebellum, induced by neuroinflammation, which enhances TNFα-TNFR1-S1PR2-CCL2-BDNF-TrkB pathway activation. The initial events by which hyperammonemia triggers activation of this pathway remain unclear. MHE in cirrhotic patients is triggered by a shift in inflammation with increased IL-17. The aims of this work were: (1) assess if hyperammonemia increases IL-17 content and membrane expression of its receptor in cerebellum of hyperammonemic rats; (2) identify the cell types in which IL-17 receptor is expressed and IL-17 increases in hyperammonemia; (3) assess if blocking IL-17 signaling with anti-IL-17 ex-vivo reverses activation of glia and of the TNFα-TNFR1-S1PR2-CCL2-BDNF-TrkB pathway.

RESULTS

IL-17 levels and membrane expression of the IL-17 receptor are increased in cerebellum of rats with hyperammonemia and MHE, leading to increased activation of IL-17 receptor in microglia, which triggers activation of STAT3 and NF-kB, increasing IL-17 and TNFα levels, respectively. TNFα released from microglia activates TNFR1 in Purkinje neurons, leading to activation of NF-kB and increased IL-17 and TNFα also in these cells. Enhanced TNFR1 activation also enhances activation of the TNFR1-S1PR2-CCL2-BDNF-TrkB pathway which mediates microglia and astrocytes activation.

CONCLUSIONS

All these steps are triggered by enhanced activation of IL-17 receptor in microglia and are prevented by ex-vivo treatment with anti-IL-17. IL-17 and IL-17 receptor in microglia would be therapeutic targets to treat neurological impairment in patients with MHE.

Advances in the Electrophysiological Recordings of Long-Term Potentiation

Understanding neuronal firing patterns and long-term potentiation (LTP) induction in studying learning, memory, and neurological diseases is critical. However, recently, despite the rapid advancement in neuroscience, we are still constrained by the experimental design, detection tools for exploring the mechanisms and pathways involved in LTP induction, and detection ability of neuronal action potentiation signals. This review will reiterate LTP-related electrophysiological recordings in the mammalian brain for nearly 50 years and explain how excitatory and inhibitory neural LTP results have been detected and described by field- and single-cell potentials, respectively. Furthermore, we focus on describing the classic model of LTP of inhibition and discuss the inhibitory neuron activity when excitatory neurons are activated to induce LTP. Finally, we propose recording excitatory and inhibitory neurons under the same experimental conditions by combining various electrophysiological technologies and novel design suggestions for future research. We discussed different types of synaptic plasticity, and the potential of astrocytes to induce LTP also deserves to be explored in the future.

Impaired synaptic plasticity in an animal model of autism exhibiting early hippocampal GABAergic-BDNF/TrkB signaling alterations

In Neurodevelopmental Disorders, alterations of synaptic plasticity may trigger structural changes in neuronal circuits involved in cognitive functions. This hypothesis was tested in mice carrying the human R451C mutation of Nlgn3 gene (NLG3^R451C KI), found in some families with autistic children. To this aim, the spike time dependent plasticity (STDP) protocol was applied to immature GABAergic Mossy Fibers (MF)-CA3 connections in hippocampal slices from NLG3^R451C KI mice. These animals failed to exhibit STD-LTP, an effect that persisted in adulthood when these synapses became glutamatergic. Similar results were obtained in mice lacking the Nlgn3 gene (NLG3 KO mice), suggesting a loss of function. The loss of STD-LTP was associated with a premature shift of GABA from the depolarizing to the hyperpolarizing direction, a reduced BDNF availability and TrkB phosphorylation at potentiated synapses. These effects may constitute a general mechanism underlying cognitive deficits in those forms of Autism caused by synaptic dysfunctions.

Dysregulation of GABAergic Signaling in Neurodevelomental Disorders: Targeting Cation-Chloride Co-transporters to Re-establish a Proper E/I Balance

The construction of the brain relies on a series of well-defined genetically and experience- or activity -dependent mechanisms which allow to adapt to the external environment. Disruption of these processes leads to neurological and psychiatric disorders, which in many cases are manifest already early in postnatal life. GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain is one of the major players in the early assembly and formation of neuronal circuits. In the prenatal and immediate postnatal period GABA, acting on GABA_A receptors, depolarizes and excites targeted cells via an outwardly directed flux of chloride. In this way it activates NMDA receptors and voltage-dependent calcium channels contributing, through intracellular calcium rise, to shape neuronal activity and to establish, through the formation of new synapses and elimination of others, adult neuronal circuits. The direction of GABA_A-mediated neurotransmission (depolarizing or hyperpolarizing) depends on the intracellular levels of chloride [Cl⁻]_i, which in turn are maintained by the activity of the cation-chloride importer and exporter KCC2 and NKCC1, respectively. Thus, the premature hyperpolarizing action of GABA or its persistent depolarizing effect beyond the postnatal period, leads to behavioral deficits associated with morphological alterations and an excitatory (E)/inhibitory (I) imbalance in selective brain areas. The aim of this review is to summarize recent data concerning the functional role of GABAergic transmission in building up and refining neuronal circuits early in development and its dysfunction in neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), schizophrenia and epilepsy. In particular, we focus on novel information concerning the mechanisms by which alterations in cation-chloride co-transporters (CCC) generate behavioral and cognitive impairment in these diseases. We discuss also the possibility to re-establish a proper GABA_A-mediated neurotransmission and excitatory (E)/inhibitory (I) balance within selective brain areas acting on CCC.

Brain is modulated by neuronal plasticity during postnatal development

Neuroplasticity is referred to the ability of the nervous system to change its structure or functions as a result of former stimuli. It is a plausible mechanism underlying a dynamic brain through adaptation processes of neural structure and activity patterns. Nevertheless, it is still unclear how the plastic neural systems achieve and maintain their equilibrium. Additionally, the alterations of balanced brain dynamics under different plasticity rules have not been explored either. Therefore, the present article primarily aims to review recent research studies regarding homosynaptic and heterosynaptic neuroplasticity characterized by the manipulation of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. Moreover, it attempts to understand different mechanisms related to the main forms of synaptic plasticity at the excitatory and inhibitory synapses during the brain development processes. Hence, this study comprised surveying those articles published since 1988 and available through PubMed, Google Scholar and science direct databases on a keyword-based search paradigm. All in all, the study results presented extensive and corroborative pieces of evidence for the main types of plasticity, including the long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) of the excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs and IPSPs).

Calcium-Permeable AMPA Receptors Mediate Timing-Dependent LTP Elicited by Low Repeat Coincident Pre- and Postsynaptic Activity at Schaffer Collateral-CA1 Synapses

High-frequency stimulation induced long-term potentiation (LTP) and low-frequency stimulation induced LTD are considered as cellular models of memory formation. Interestingly, spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) can induce equally robust timing-dependent LTP (t-LTP) and t-LTD in response to low frequency repeats of coincident action potential (AP) firing in presynaptic and postsynaptic cells. Commonly, STDP paradigms relying on 25-100 repeats of coincident AP firing are used to elicit t-LTP or t-LTD, but the minimum number of repeats required for successful STDP is barely explored. However, systematic investigation of physiologically relevant low repeat STDP paradigms is of utmost importance to explain learning mechanisms in vivo. Here, we examined low repeat STDP at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses by pairing one presynaptic AP with either one postsynaptic AP (1:1 t-LTP), or a burst of 4 APs (1:4 t-LTP) and found 3-6 repeats to be sufficient to elicit t-LTP. 6× 1:1 t-LTP required postsynaptic Ca2+ influx via NMDARs and L-type VGCCs and was mediated by increased presynaptic glutamate release. In contrast, 1:4 t-LTP depended on postsynaptic metabotropic GluRs and ryanodine receptor signaling and was mediated by postsynaptic insertion of AMPA receptors. Unexpectedly, both 6× t-LTP variants were strictly dependent on activation of postsynaptic Ca2+-permeable AMPARs but were differentially regulated by dopamine receptor signaling. Our data show that synaptic changes induced by only 3-6 repeats of mild STDP stimulation occurring in ≤10 s can take place on time scales observed also during single trial learning.

CCL2/CCR2 Contributes to the Altered Excitatory-inhibitory Synaptic Balance in the Nucleus Accumbens Shell Following Peripheral Nerve Injury-induced Neuropathic Pain

The medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) integrate excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs and gate motivational and emotional behavior output. Here we report that the relative intensity of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs to MSNs of the NAc shell was decreased in mice with neuropathic pain induced by spinal nerve ligation (SNL). SNL increased the frequency, but not the amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs), and decreased both the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) in the MSNs. SNL also decreased the paired-pulse ratio (PPR) of evoked IPSCs but increased the PPR of evoked EPSCs. Moreover, acute bath application of C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) increased the frequency and amplitude of sIPSCs and sEPSCs in the MSNs, and especially strengthened the amplitude of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated miniature EPSCs. Further Ccl2 overexpression in the NAc in vivo decreased the peak amplitude of the sEPSC/sIPSC ratio. Finally, Ccr2 knock-down improved the impaired induction of NMDAR-dependent long-term depression (LTD) in the NAc after SNL. These results suggest that CCL2/CCR2 signaling plays a role in the integration of excitatory/inhibitory synaptic transmission and leads to an increase of the LTD induction threshold at the synapses of MSNs during neuropathic pain.

Long-term depression at hippocampal mossy fiber-CA3 synapses involves BDNF but is not mediated by p75NTR signaling

BDNF plays a crucial role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity. It is synthesized as a precursor (proBDNF) that can be proteolytically cleaved to mature BDNF (mBDNF). Previous studies revealed a bidirectional mode of BDNF actions, where long-term potentiation (LTP) was mediated by mBDNF through tropomyosin related kinase (Trk) B receptors whereas long-term depression (LTD) depended on proBDNF/p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) signaling. While most experimental evidence for this BDNF dependence of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus was derived from Schaffer collateral (SC)-CA1 synapses, much less is known about the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity, in particular LTD, at hippocampal mossy fiber (MF) synapses onto CA3 neurons. Since proBDNF and mBDNF are expressed most abundantly at MF-CA3 synapses in the rodent brain and we had shown previously that MF-LTP depends on mBDNF/TrkB signaling, we now explored the role of proBDNF/p75NTR signaling in MF-LTD. Our results show that neither acute nor chronic inhibition of p75NTR signaling impairs MF-LTD, while short-term plasticity, in particular paired-pulse facilitation, at MF-CA3 synapses is affected by a lack of functional p75NTR signaling. Furthermore, MF-CA3 synapses showed normal LTD upon acute inhibition of TrkB receptor signaling. Nonetheless, acute inhibition of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), an inhibitor of both intracellular and extracellular proBDNF cleavage, impaired MF-LTD. This seems to indicate that LTD at MF-CA3 synapses involves BDNF, however, MF-LTD does not depend on p75NTRs. Altogether, our experiments demonstrate that p75NTR signaling is not warranted for all glutamatergic synapses but rather needs to be checked separately for every synaptic connection.

Functional expression of TrkB receptors on interneurones and pyramidal cells of area CA3 of the rat hippocampus

The dentate gyrus and hippocampal area CA3 region of the mammalian brain contains the highest levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its canonical membrane receptor, tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB). Therefore, the present study examines the expression and physiological responses triggered by activation of TrkB on hippocampal area CA3 interneurones and pyramidal cells of the rat hippocampus. Triple immunolabelling for TrkB, glutamate decarboxylase 67, and the calcium-binding proteins parvalbumin, calbindin or calretinin confirms the somatic expression of TrkB in all CA3 sublayers. TrkB-positive interneurones with fast-spiking discharge are restricted to strata oriens and lucidum, whereas regular-spiking interneurones are found in the strata lucidum, radiatum and lacunosum-moleculare. Activation of TrkB receptors with 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (DHF) modulates amplitude and frequency of spontaneous synaptic currents recorded from CA3 interneurones. Furthermore, the isolated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSC) of CA3 interneurones evoked by the mossy fibres (MF) or commissural/associational (C/A) axons, show input-specific synaptic potentiation in response to TrkB stimulation. On CA3 pyramidal cells, stimulation with DHF potentiates the MF synaptic transmission and increases the MF-EPSP - spike coupling. The latter exhibits a dramatic increase when picrotoxin is bath perfused after DHF, indicating that local interneurones restrain the excitability mediated by activation of TrkB. Therefore, we propose that release of BDNF on area CA3 reshapes the output of this hippocampal region by simultaneous activation of TrkB on GABAergic interneurones and pyramidal cells.

The ins and outs of inhibitory synaptic plasticity: Neuron types, molecular mechanisms and functional roles

GABAergic interneurons are highly diverse, and their synaptic outputs express various forms of plasticity. Compelling evidence indicates that activity-dependent changes of inhibitory synaptic transmission play a significant role in regulating neural circuits critically involved in learning and memory and circuit refinement. Here, we provide an updated overview of inhibitory synaptic plasticity with a focus on the hippocampus and neocortex. To illustrate the diversity of inhibitory interneurons, we discuss the case of two highly divergent interneuron types, parvalbumin-expressing basket cells and neurogliaform cells, which support unique roles on circuit dynamics. We also present recent progress on the molecular mechanisms underlying long-term, activity-dependent plasticity of fast inhibitory transmission. Lastly, we discuss the role of inhibitory synaptic plasticity in neuronal circuits' function. The emerging picture is that inhibitory synaptic transmission in the CNS is extremely diverse, undergoes various mechanistically distinct forms of plasticity and contributes to a much more refined computational role than initially thought. Both the remarkable diversity of inhibitory interneurons and the various forms of plasticity expressed by GABAergic synapses provide an amazingly rich inhibitory repertoire that is central to a variety of complex neural circuit functions, including memory.

The etiological contribution of GABAergic plasticity to the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain developing after peripheral or central nerve injury is the result of pathological changes generated through complex mechanisms. Disruption in the homeostasis of excitatory and inhibitory neurons within the central nervous system is a crucial factor in the formation of hyperalgesia or allodynia occurring with neuropathic pain. The central GABAergic pathway has received attention for its extensive distribution and function in neural circuits, including the generation and development of neuropathic pain. GABAergic inhibitory changes that occur in the interneurons along descending modulatory and nociceptive pathways in the central nervous system are believed to generate neuronal plasticity, such as synaptic plasticity or functional plasticity of the related genes or proteins, that is the foundation of persistent neuropathic pain. The primary GABAergic plasticity observed in neuropathic pain includes GABAergic synapse homo- and heterosynaptic plasticity, decreased synthesis of GABA, down-expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase and GABA transporter, abnormal expression of NKCC1 or KCC2, and disturbed function of GABA receptors. In this review, we describe possible mechanisms associated with GABAergic plasticity, such as central sensitization and GABAergic interneuron apoptosis, and the epigenetic etiologies of GABAergic plasticity in neuropathic pain. Moreover, we summarize potential therapeutic targets of GABAergic plasticity that may allow for successful relief of hyperalgesia from nerve injury. Finally, we compare the effects of the GABAergic system in neuropathic pain to other types of chronic pain to understand the contribution of GABAergic plasticity to neuropathic pain.

Immature Dentate Granule Cells Require Ntrk2/Trkb for the Formation of Functional Hippocampal Circuitry

Early in brain development, impaired neuronal signaling during time-sensitive windows triggers the onset of neurodevelopmental disorders. GABA, through its depolarizing and excitatory actions, drives early developmental events including neuronal circuit formation and refinement. BDNF/TrkB signaling cooperates with GABA actions. How these developmental processes influence the formation of neural circuits and affect adult brain function is unknown. Here, we show that early deletion of Ntrk2/Trkb from immature mouse hippocampal dentate granule cells (DGCs) affects the integration and maturation of newly formed DGCs in the hippocampal circuitry and drives a premature shift from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing GABAergic actions in the target of DGCs, the CA3 principal cells of the hippocampus, by reducing the expression of the cation-chloride importer Nkcc1. These changes lead to the disruption of early synchronized neuronal activity at the network level and impaired morphological maturation of CA3 pyramidal neurons, ultimately contributing to altered adult hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cognitive processes.

Inhibitory Plasticity: From Molecules to Computation and Beyond

Synaptic plasticity is the cellular and molecular counterpart of learning and memory and, since its first discovery, the analysis of the mechanisms underlying long-term changes of synaptic strength has been almost exclusively focused on excitatory connections. Conversely, inhibition was considered as a fixed controller of circuit excitability. Only recently, inhibitory networks were shown to be finely regulated by a wide number of mechanisms residing in their synaptic connections. Here, we review recent findings on the forms of inhibitory plasticity (IP) that have been discovered and characterized in different brain areas. In particular, we focus our attention on the molecular pathways involved in the induction and expression mechanisms leading to changes in synaptic efficacy, and we discuss, from the computational perspective, how IP can contribute to the emergence of functional properties of brain circuits.

Biological Pathways of Long-Term Visit-to-Visit Blood Pressure Variability in the American Population: Cardiovascular Health Study and Women’s Health Initiatives

Studies reported a positive relationship between visit-to-visit blood pressure variability (VVBPV) and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality independently of the mean arterial blood pressure across clinical visits. The literature is scarce on the genes and biological mechanisms that regulate long-term VVBPV. We sought to identify biological pathways that regulate visit-to-visit blood pressure variability. We used phenotypic and genotype data from the Women’s Health Initiatives and Cardiovascular Health Studies. We defined VVBPV of systolic and diastolic blood pressure phenotypes as the standard deviation about the participant’s regression line with systolic and diastolic blood pressure regressed separately across visits. We imputed missing genotypes and then conducted a genome-wide association analysis to identify genomic variants related to the VVBPV and detect biological pathways. For systolic VVBPV, we identified a neurological pathway, the GABAergic pathway (P values = 1.1E − 2), and a vascular pathway, the RAP1 signaling pathway (P values = 5.8E − 2). For diastolic VVBPV, the hippo signaling (P values = 4.1E − 2), CDO myogenesis (P values = 7.0E − 2), and O-glycosylation of TSR domain-containing protein pathways (P values = 9.0E − 2) were the significant pathways. Future studies are warranted to validate these results. Further understanding of the roles of the genes regulating the identified pathways will help researchers to improve future pharmacological interventions to treat VVBPV in clinical practice.

Preserving the balance: diverse forms of long-term GABAergic synaptic plasticity

Cellular mechanisms that regulate the interplay of synaptic excitation and inhibition are thought to be central to the functional stability of healthy neuronal circuits. A growing body of literature demonstrates the capacity for inhibitory GABAergic synapses to exhibit long-term plasticity in response to changes in neuronal activity. Here, we review this expanding field of research, focusing on the diversity of mechanisms that link glutamatergic signalling, postsynaptic action potentials and inhibitory synaptic strength. Several lines of evidence indicate that multiple, parallel forms of plasticity serve to regulate activity at both the input and output domains of individual neurons. Overall, these varied phenomena serve to promote both stability and flexibility over the life of the organism.

BDNF Controls Bidirectional Endocannabinoid Plasticity at Corticostriatal Synapses

The dorsal striatum exhibits bidirectional corticostriatal synaptic plasticity, NMDAR and endocannabinoids (eCB) mediated, necessary for the encoding of procedural learning. Therefore, characterizing factors controlling corticostriatal plasticity is of crucial importance. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, the tropomyosine receptor kinase-B (TrkB), shape striatal functions, and their dysfunction deeply affects basal ganglia. BDNF/TrkB signaling controls NMDAR plasticity in various brain structures including the striatum. However, despite cross-talk between BDNF and eCBs, the role of BDNF in eCB plasticity remains unknown. Here, we show that BDNF/TrkB signaling promotes eCB-plasticity (LTD and LTP) induced by rate-based (low-frequency stimulation) or spike-timing–based (spike-timing–dependent plasticity, STDP) paradigm in striatum. We show that TrkB activation is required for the expression and the scaling of both eCB-LTD and eCB-LTP. Using 2-photon imaging of dendritic spines combined with patch-clamp recordings, we show that TrkB activation prolongs intracellular calcium transients, thus increasing eCB synthesis and release. We provide a mathematical model for the dynamics of the signaling pathways involved in corticostriatal plasticity. Finally, we show that TrkB activation enlarges the domain of expression of eCB-STDP. Our results reveal a novel role for BDNF/TrkB signaling in governing eCB-plasticity expression in striatum and thus the engram of procedural learning.

Dopaminergic innervation and modulation of hippocampal networks

The catecholamine dopamine plays an important role in hippocampus-dependent plasticity and related learning and memory processes. Dopamine secretion in the hippocampus is activated by, e.g., salient or novel stimuli, thereby helping to establish and to stabilize hippocampus-dependent memories. Disturbed dopaminergic function in the hippocampus leads to severe pathophysiological conditions. While the role and importance of dopaminergic modulation of hippocampal networks have been unequivocally proven, there is still a lack of detailed molecular and cellular mechanistic understanding of how dopamine orchestrates these hippocampal processes. In this chapter of the special issue "Hippocampal structure and function," we will discuss the current understanding of dopaminergic modulation of basal synaptic transmission and long-lasting, activity-dependent potentiation or depression.

Reduction of Cav1.3 channels in dorsal hippocampus impairs the development of dentate gyrus newborn neurons and hippocampal-dependent memory tasks

Ca_v1.3 has been suggested to mediate hippocampal neurogenesis of adult mice and contribute to hippocampal-dependent learning and memory processes. However, the mechanism of Ca_v1.3 contribution in these processes is unclear. Here, roles of Ca_v1.3 of mouse dorsal hippocampus during newborn cell development were examined. We find that knock-out (KO) of Ca_v1.3 resulted in the reduction of survival of newborn neurons at 28 days old after mitosis. The retroviral eGFP expression showed that both dendritic complexity and the number and length of mossy fiber bouton (MFB) filopodia of newborn neurons at ≥ 14 days old were significantly reduced in KO mice. Both contextual fear conditioning (CFC) and object-location recognition tasks were impaired in recent (1 day) memory test while passive avoidance task was impaired only in remote (≥ 20 days) memory in KO mice. Results using adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated Ca_v1.3 knock-down (KD) or retrovirus-mediated KD in dorsal hippocampal DG area showed that the recent memory of CFC was impaired in both KD mice but the remote memory was impaired only in AAV KD mice, suggesting that Ca_v1.3 of mature neurons play important roles in both recent and remote CFC memory while Ca_v1.3 in newborn neurons is selectively involved in the recent CFC memory process. Meanwhile, AAV KD of Ca_v1.3 in ventral hippocampal area has no effect on the recent CFC memory. In conclusion, the results suggest that Ca_v1.3 in newborn neurons of dorsal hippocampus is involved in the survival of newborn neurons while mediating developments of dendritic and axonal processes of newborn cells and plays a role in the memory process differentially depending on the stage of maturation and the type of learning task.

Coexistence of Multiple Types of Synaptic Plasticity in Individual Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons

Understanding learning and memory mechanisms is an important goal in neuroscience. To gain insights into the underlying cellular mechanisms for memory formation, synaptic plasticity processes are studied with various techniques in different brain regions. A valid model to scrutinize different ways to enhance or decrease synaptic transmission is recording of long-term potentiation (LTP) or long-term depression (LTD). At the single cell level, spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) protocols have emerged as a powerful tool to investigate synaptic plasticity with stimulation paradigms that also likely occur during memory formation in vivo. Such kind of plasticity can be induced by different STDP paradigms with multiple repeat numbers and stimulation patterns. They subsequently recruit or activate different molecular pathways and neuromodulators for induction and expression of STDP. Dopamine (DA) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been recently shown to be important modulators for hippocampal STDP at Schaffer collateral (SC)-CA1 synapses and are activated exclusively by distinguishable STDP paradigms. Distinct types of parallel synaptic plasticity in a given neuron depend on specific subcellular molecular prerequisites. Since the basal and apical dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons are known to be heterogeneous, and distance-dependent dendritic gradients for specific receptors and ion channels are described, the dendrites might provide domain specific locations for multiple types of synaptic plasticity in the same neuron. In addition to the distinct signaling and expression mechanisms of various types of LTP and LTD, activation of these different types of plasticity might depend on background brain activity states. In this article, we will discuss some ideas why multiple forms of synaptic plasticity can simultaneously and independently coexist and can contribute so effectively to increasing the efficacy of memory storage and processing capacity of the brain. We hypothesize that resolving the subcellular location of t-LTP and t-LTD mechanisms that are regulated by distinct neuromodulator systems will be essential to reach a more cohesive understanding of synaptic plasticity in memory formation.

Hebbian Spike-Timing Dependent Plasticity at the Cerebellar Input Stage

Spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) is a form of long-term synaptic plasticity exploiting the time relationship between postsynaptic action potentials (APs) and EPSPs. Surprisingly enough, very little was known about STDP in the cerebellum, although it is thought to play a critical role for learning appropriate timing of actions. We speculated that low-frequency oscillations observed in the granular layer may provide a reference for repetitive EPSP/AP phase coupling. Here we show that EPSP-spike pairing at 6 Hz can optimally induce STDP at the mossy fiber-granule cell synapse in rats. Spike timing-dependent long-term potentiation and depression (st-LTP and st-LTD) were confined to a ±25 ms time-window. Because EPSPs led APs in st-LTP while APs led EPSPs in st-LTD, STDP was Hebbian in nature. STDP occurred at 6-10 Hz but vanished >50 Hz or <1 Hz (where only LTP or LTD occurred). STDP disappeared with randomized EPSP/AP pairing or high intracellular Ca²⁺ buffering, and its sign was inverted by GABA-A receptor activation. Both st-LTP and st-LTD required NMDA receptors, but st-LTP also required reinforcing signals mediated by mGluRs and intracellular calcium stores. Importantly, st-LTP and st-LTD were significantly larger than LTP and LTD obtained by modulating the frequency and duration of mossy fiber bursts, probably because STDP expression involved postsynaptic in addition to presynaptic mechanisms. These results thus show that a Hebbian form of STDP occurs at the cerebellum input stage, providing the substrate for phase-dependent binding of mossy fiber spikes to repetitive theta-frequency cycles of granule cell activity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Long-term synaptic plasticity is a fundamental property of the brain, causing persistent modifications of neuronal communication thought to provide the cellular basis of learning and memory. The cerebellum is critical for learning the appropriate timing of sensorimotor behaviors, but whether and how appropriate spike patterns could drive long-term synaptic plasticity remained unknown. Here, we show that this can actually occur through a form of spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) at the cerebellar inputs stage. Pairing presynaptic and postsynaptic spikes at 6-10 Hz reliably induced STDP at the mossy fiber-granule cell synapse, with potentiation and depression symmetrically distributed within a ±25 ms time window. Thus, STDP can bind plasticity to the mossy fiber burst phase with high temporal precision.

Modulation of Synaptic Plasticity in the Cortex Needs to Understand All the Players

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is involved in cognitive tasks such as working memory, decision making, risk assessment and regulation of attention. These functions performed by the PFC are supposed to rely on rhythmic electrical activity generated by neuronal network oscillations determined by a precise balance between excitation and inhibition balance (E/I balance) resulting from the coordinated activities of recurrent excitation and feedback and feedforward inhibition. Functional alterations in PFC functions have been associated with cognitive deficits in several pathologies such as major depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. These pathological situations are correlated with alterations of different neurotransmitter systems (i.e., serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), acetylcholine…) that result in alterations of the E/I balance. The aim of this review article is to cover the basic aspects of the regulation of the E/I balance as well as to highlight the importance of the complementarity role of several neurotransmitters in the modulation of the plasticity of excitatory and inhibitory synapses. We illustrate our purpose by recent findings that demonstrate that 5-HT and DA cooperate to regulate the plasticity of excitatory and inhibitory synapses targeting layer 5 pyramidal neurons (L5PyNs) of the PFC and to fine tune the E/I balance. Using a method based on the decomposition of the synaptic conductance into its excitatory and inhibitory components, we show that concomitant activation of D1-like receptors (D1Rs) and 5-HT_1ARs, through a modulation of NMDA receptors, favors long term potentiation (LTP) of both excitation and inhibition and consequently does not modify the E/I balance. We also demonstrate that activation of D2-receptors requires functional 5-HT_1ARs to shift the E-I balance towards more inhibition and to favor long term depression (LTD) of excitatory synapses through the activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). This cooperation between different neurotransmitters is particularly relevant in view of pathological situations in which alterations of one neurotransmitter system will also have consequences on the regulation of synaptic efficacy by other neurotransmitters. This opens up new perspectives in the development of therapeutic strategies for the pharmacological treatment of neuronal disorders.

BDNF and Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) belongs to a family of small secreted proteins that also include nerve growth factor, neurotrophin 3, and neurotrophin 4. BDNF stands out among all neurotrophins by its high expression levels in the brain and its potent effects at synapses. Several aspects of BDNF biology such as transcription, processing, and secretion are regulated by synaptic activity. Such observations prompted the suggestion that BDNF may regulate activity-dependent forms of synaptic plasticity such as long-term potentiation (LTP), a sustained enhancement of excitatory synaptic efficacy thought to underlie learning and memory. Here, we will review the evidence pointing to a fundamental role of this neurotrophin in LTP, especially within the hippocampus. Prominent questions in the field, including the release and action sites of BDNF during LTP, as well as the signaling and molecular mechanisms involved, will also be addressed. The diverse effects of BDNF at excitatory synapses are determined by the activation of TrkB receptors and downstream signaling pathways, and the functions, typically opposing in nature, of its immature form (proBDNF). The activation of p75^NTR receptors by proBDNF and the implications for long-term depression will also be addressed. Finally, we discuss the synergy between TrkB and glucocorticoid receptor signaling to determine cellular responses to stress.

Ethanol exposure during the third trimester equivalent does not affect GABAA or AMPA receptor-mediated spontaneous synaptic transmission in rat CA3 pyramidal neurons

Background

Ethanol exposure during the rodent equivalent to the 3^rd trimester of human pregnancy (i.e., first 1–2 weeks of neonatal life) has been shown to produce structural and functional alterations in the CA3 hippocampal sub-region, which is involved in associative memory. Synaptic plasticity mechanisms dependent on retrograde release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) driven by activation of L-type voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels (L-VGCCs) are thought to play a role in stabilization of both GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses in CA3 pyramidal neurons. We previously showed that ethanol exposure during the first week of life blocks BDNF/L-VGCC-dependent long-term potentiation of GABA_A receptor-mediated synaptic transmission in these neurons. Here, we tested whether this effect is associated with lasting alterations in GABAergic and glutamatergic transmission.

Methods

Rats were exposed to air or ethanol for 3 h/day between postnatal days three and five in vapor inhalation chambers, a paradigm that produces peak serum ethanol levels near 0.3 g/dl. Whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiological recordings of spontaneous inhibitory and excitatory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs and sEPSCs, respectively) were obtained from CA3 pyramidal neurons in coronal brain slices prepared at postnatal days 13–17.

Results

Ethanol exposure did not significantly affect the frequency, amplitude, rise-time and half-width of either sIPSCs or sEPSCs.

Conclusions

We show that an ethanol exposure paradigm known to inhibit synaptic plasticity mechanisms that may participate in the stabilization of GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses in CA3 pyramidal neurons does not produce lasting functional alterations in these synapses, suggesting that compensatory mechanisms restored the balance of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission.

Extracellular proteolysis in structural and functional plasticity of mossy fiber synapses in hippocampus

Brain is continuously altered in response to experience and environmental changes. One of the underlying mechanisms is synaptic plasticity, which is manifested by modification of synapse structure and function. It is becoming clear that regulated extracellular proteolysis plays a pivotal role in the structural and functional remodeling of synapses during brain development, learning and memory formation. Clearly, plasticity mechanisms may substantially differ between projections. Mossy fiber synapses onto CA3 pyramidal cells display several unique functional features, including pronounced short-term facilitation, a presynaptically expressed long-term potentiation (LTP) that is independent of NMDAR activation, and NMDA-dependent metaplasticity. Moreover, structural plasticity at mossy fiber synapses ranges from the reorganization of projection topology after hippocampus-dependent learning, through intrinsically different dynamic properties of synaptic boutons to pre- and postsynaptic structural changes accompanying LTP induction. Although concomitant functional and structural plasticity in this pathway strongly suggests a role of extracellular proteolysis, its impact only starts to be investigated in this projection. In the present report, we review the role of extracellular proteolysis in various aspects of synaptic plasticity in hippocampal mossy fiber synapses. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that among perisynaptic proteases, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)/plasmin system, β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and metalloproteinases play a crucial role in shaping plastic changes in this projection. We discuss recent advances and emerging hypotheses on the roles of proteases in mechanisms underlying mossy fiber target specific synaptic plasticity and memory formation.

A novel form of synaptic plasticity in field CA3 of hippocampus requires GPER1 activation and BDNF release

Estrogen gates metabotropic glutamate receptor–dependent long-term depression at mossy fiber–CA3 synapses through a mechanism involving GPER1-mediated BDNF release, mTOR-dependent protein synthesis, and proteasome activity.

Estrogen is an important modulator of hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation through its rapid action on membrane-associated receptors. Here, we found that both estradiol and the G-protein–coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) specific agonist G1 rapidly induce brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) release, leading to transient stimulation of activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated (Arc) protein translation and GluA1-containing AMPA receptor internalization in field CA3 of hippocampus. We also show that type-I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation does not induce Arc translation nor long-term depression (LTD) at the mossy fiber pathway, as opposed to its effects in CA1, and it only triggers LTD after GPER1 stimulation. Furthermore, this form of mGluR-dependent LTD is associated with ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation of GluA1, and is prevented by proteasome inhibition. Overall, our study identifies a novel mechanism by which estrogen and BDNF regulate hippocampal synaptic plasticity in the adult brain.

Diffusion dynamics of synaptic molecules during inhibitory postsynaptic plasticity

The plasticity of inhibitory transmission is expected to play a key role in the modulation of neuronal excitability and network function. Over the last two decades, the investigation of the determinants of inhibitory synaptic plasticity has allowed distinguishing presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms. While there has been a remarkable progress in the characterization of presynaptically-expressed plasticity of inhibition, the postsynaptic mechanisms of inhibitory long-term synaptic plasticity only begin to be unraveled. At postsynaptic level, the expression of inhibitory synaptic plasticity involves the rearrangement of the postsynaptic molecular components of the GABAergic synapse, including GABA_A receptors, scaffold proteins and structural molecules. This implies a dynamic modulation of receptor intracellular trafficking and receptor surface lateral diffusion, along with regulation of the availability and distribution of scaffold proteins. This Review will focus on the mechanisms of the multifaceted molecular reorganization of the inhibitory synapse during postsynaptic plasticity, with special emphasis on the key role of protein dynamics to ensure prompt and reliable activity-dependent adjustments of synaptic strength.

Electrophysiological characterization of granule cells in the dentate gyrus immediately after birth

Granule cells (GCs) in the dentate gyrus are generated mainly postnatally. Between embryonic day 10 and 14, neural precursors migrate from the primary dentate matrix to the dentate gyrus where they differentiate into neurons. Neurogenesis reaches a peak at the end of the first postnatal week and it is completed at the end of the first postnatal month. This process continues at a reduced rate throughout life. Interestingly, immediately after birth, GCs exhibit a clear GABAergic phenotype. Only later they integrate the classical glutamatergic trisynaptic hippocampal circuit. Here, whole cell patch clamp recordings, in current clamp mode, were performed from immature GCs, intracellularly loaded with biocytin (in hippocampal slices from P0 to P3 old rats) in order to compare their morphological characteristics with their electrophysiological properties. The vast majority of GCs were very immature with small somata, few dendritic branches terminating with small varicosities and growth cones. In spite of their immaturity their axons reached often the cornu ammonis 3 area. Immature GCs generated, upon membrane depolarization, either rudimentary sodium spikes or more clear overshooting action potentials that fired repetitively. They exhibited also low threshold calcium spikes. In addition, most spiking neurons showed spontaneous synchronized network activity, reminiscent of giant depolarizing potentials (GDPs) generated in the hippocampus by the synergistic action of glutamate and GABA, both depolarizing and excitatory. This early synchronized activity, absent during adult neurogenesis, may play a crucial role in the refinement of local neuronal circuits within the developing dentate gyrus.

Spike timing-dependent plasticity at GABAergic synapses in the ventral tegmental area

Persistent changes in excitatory and inhibitory synaptic strengths to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons in response to addictive drugs may underlie the transition from casual to compulsive drug use. While an enormous amount of work has been done in the area of glutamatergic plasticity of the VTA, little is known regarding the learning rules governing GABAergic plasticity in the VTA. Spike timing-dependent plasticity, STDP, has attracted considerable attention primarily due to its potential roles in processing and storage of information in the brain and there is emerging evidence for the existence of STDP at inhibitory synapses. We therefore used whole-cell recordings in rat midbrain slices to investigate whether near-coincident pre- and postsynaptic firing induces a lasting change in synaptic efficacy of VTA GABAergic synapses. We found that a Hebbian form of STDP including long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) can be induced at GABAergic synapses onto VTA DA neurons and relies on the precise temporal order of pre- and postsynaptic spiking. Importantly, GABAergic STDP is heterosynaptic (NMDA receptor dependent): triggered by correlated activities of the presynaptic glutamatergic input and postsynaptic DA cells. GABAergic STDP is postsynaptic and has an associative component since pre- or postsynaptic spiking per se did not induce STDP. STDP of GABAergic synapses in the VTA provides physiologically relevant forms of inhibitory plasticity that may underlie natural reinforcement of reward-related behaviours. Moreover, this form of inhibitory plasticity may mediate some of the reinforcing, aversive and addictive properties of drugs of abuse.

Pre- and postsynaptic twists in BDNF secretion and action in synaptic plasticity

Overwhelming evidence collected since the early 1990's strongly supports the notion that BDNF is among the key regulators of synaptic plasticity in many areas of the mammalian central nervous system. Still, due to the extremely low expression levels of endogenous BDNF in most brain areas, surprisingly little data i) pinpointing pre- and postsynaptic release sites, ii) unraveling the time course of release, and iii) elucidating the physiological levels of synaptic activity driving this secretion are available. Likewise, our knowledge regarding pre- and postsynaptic effects of endogenous BDNF at the single cell level in mediating long-term potentiation still is sparse. Thus, our review will discuss the data currently available regarding synaptic BDNF secretion in response to physiologically relevant levels of activity, and will discuss how endogenously secreted BDNF affects synaptic plasticity, giving a special focus on spike timing-dependent types of LTP and on mossy fiber LTP. We will attempt to open up perspectives how the remaining challenging questions regarding synaptic BDNF release and action might be addressed by future experiments. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'BDNF Regulation of Synaptic Structure, Function, and Plasticity'.

PrPC controls via protein kinase A the direction of synaptic plasticity in the immature hippocampus

The cellular form of prion protein PrP(C) is highly expressed in the brain, where it can be converted into its abnormally folded isoform PrP(Sc) to cause neurodegenerative diseases. Its predominant synaptic localization suggests a crucial role in synaptic signaling. Interestingly, PrP(C) is developmentally regulated and its high expression in the immature brain could be instrumental in regulating neurogenesis and cell proliferation. Here, PrP(C)-deficient (Prnp(0/0)) mice were used to assess whether the prion protein is involved in synaptic plasticity processes in the neonatal hippocampus. To this aim, calcium transients associated with giant depolarizing potentials, a hallmark of developmental networks, were transiently paired with mossy fiber activation in such a way that the two events were coincident. While this procedure caused long-term potentiation (LTP) in wild-type (WT) animals, it caused long-term depression (LTD) in Prnp(0/0) mice. Induction of LTP was postsynaptic and required the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) signaling. The induction of LTD was presynaptic and relied on G-protein-coupled GluK1 receptor and protein lipase C. In addition, at emerging CA3-CA1 synapses in WT mice, but not in Prnp(0/0) mice, pairing Schaffer collateral stimulation with depolarization of CA1 principal cells induced LTP, known to be PKA dependent. Postsynaptic infusion of a constitutively active isoform of PKA catalytic subunit Cα into CA1 and CA3 principal cells in the hippocampus of Prnp(0/0) mice caused a persistent synaptic facilitation that was occluded by subsequent pairing. These data suggest that PrP(C) plays a crucial role in regulating via PKA synaptic plasticity in the developing hippocampus.

Kainate receptors: multiple roles in neuronal plasticity

Ionotropic glutamate receptors of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)- and AMPA-type, as well as metabotropic glutamate receptors have been extensively invoked in plasticity. Until relatively recently, however, kainate-type receptors (KARs) had been the most elusive to study because of the lack of appropriate pharmacological tools to specifically address their roles. With the development of selective glutamate receptor antagonists, and knockout mice with specific KAR subunits deleted, the functions of KARs in neuromodulation and synaptic transmission, together with their involvement in some types of plasticity, have been extensively probed in the central nervous system. In this review, we summarize the findings related to the roles of KARs in short- and long-term forms of plasticity, primarily in the hippocampus, where KAR function and synaptic plasticity have received avid attention.

Characterization of L-type voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel expression and function in developing CA3 pyramidal neurons

Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) play a major role during the development of the central nervous system (CNS). Ca(2+) influx via VGCCs regulates axonal growth and neuronal migration as well as synaptic plasticity. Specifically, L-type VGCCs have been well characterized to be involved in the formation and refinement of the connections within the CA3 region of the hippocampus. The majority of the growth, formation, and refinement in the CNS occurs during the third trimester of human pregnancy. An equivalent developmental time period in rodents occurs during the first 2weeks of post-natal life, and the expression pattern of L-type VGCCs during this time period has not been well characterized. In this study, we show that Cav1.2 channels are more highly expressed during this developmental period compared to adolescence (post-natal day 30) and that L-type VGCCs significantly contribute to the overall Ca(2+) currents. These findings suggest that L-type VGCCs are functionally expressed during the crucial developmental period.

A role for silent synapses in the development of the pathway from layer 2/3 to 5 pyramidal cells in the neocortex

The integration of neurons within the developing cerebral cortex is a prolonged process dependent on a combination of molecular and physiological cues. To examine the latter we used laser scanning photostimulation (LSPS) of caged glutamate in conjunction with whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology to probe the integration of pyramidal cells in the sensorimotor regions of the mouse neocortex. In the days immediately after postnatal day 5 (P5) the origin of the LSPS-evoked AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-mediated synaptic inputs were diffuse and poorly defined with considerable variability between cells. Over the subsequent week this coalesced and shifted, primarily influenced by an increased contribution from layers 2/3 cells, which became a prominent motif of the afferent input onto layer 5 pyramidal cells regardless of cortical region. To further investigate this particular emergent translaminar connection, we alternated our mapping protocol between two holding potentials (-70 and +40 mV) allowing us to detect exclusively NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated inputs. This revealed distal MK-801-sensitive synaptic inputs that predict the formation of the mature, canonical layer 2/3 to 5 pathway. However, these were a transient feature and had been almost entirely converted to AMPAR synapses at a later age (P16). To examine the role of activity in the recruitment of early NMDAR synapses, we evoked brief periods (20 min) of rhythmic bursting. Short intense periods of activity could cause a prolonged augmentation of the total input onto pyramidal cells up until P12; a time point when the canonical circuit has been instated and synaptic integration shifts to a more consolidatory phase.

Increase of hippocampal glutamate after electroconvulsive treatment: a quantitative proton MR spectroscopy study at 9.4 T in an animal model of depression

OBJECTIVES

Recent evidence suggests that alterations in hippocampal glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are associated with the pathomechanism of depression and treatment effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Thus, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H MRS) at a 9.4 T animal system seems a promising tool to study underlying mechanisms since it allows for an accurate quantification of metabolites with distinction of glutamate, GABA and glutamine, as well as separation of taurine from choline.

METHODS

A well-validated animal model of treatment resistant depression (congenital learned helpless rats = cLH) was investigated by hippocampal in vivo ¹H MRS with and without a 1-week course of electroconvulsive shocks (ECS), an animal model of ECT, and compared to wild type (WT) animals, while saline and clomipramine injections served as additional controls.

RESULTS

Untreated cLH rats showed significantly lower glucose and higher taurine concentrations compared to WT animals. Besides alterations on these metabolites, ECS increased glutamate in WT and cLH and choline in cLH rats. Moreover, correlations between glutamate and GABA concentrations with learned helpless behaviour were revealed.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support the idea of disordered hippocampal metabolism in an animal model of treatment resistant depression and suggest an early impact of ECS on MR-detectable hippocampal metabolites.

The GABA excitatory/inhibitory shift in brain maturation and neurological disorders

Ionic currents and the network-driven patterns they generate differ in immature and adult neurons: The developing brain is not a "small adult brain." One of the most investigated examples is the developmentally regulated shift of actions of the transmitter GABA that inhibit adult neurons but excite immature ones because of an initially higher intracellular chloride concentration [Cl(-)](i), leading to depolarizing and often excitatory actions of GABA instead of hyperpolarizing and inhibitory actions. The levels of [Cl(-)](i) are also highly labile, being readily altered transiently or persistently by enhanced episodes of activity in relation to synaptic plasticity or a variety of pathological conditions, including seizures and brain insults. Among the plethora of channels, transporters, and other devices involved in controlling [Cl(-)](i), two have emerged as playing a particularly important role: the chloride importer NKCC1 and the chloride exporter KCC2. Here, the authors stress the importance of determining how [Cl(-)](i) is dynamically regulated and how this affects brain operation in health and disease. In a clinical perspective, agents that control [Cl(-)](i) and reinstate inhibitory actions of GABA open novel therapeutic perspectives in many neurological disorders, including infantile epilepsies, autism spectrum disorders, and other developmental disorders.

NMDA-dependent switch of proBDNF actions on developing GABAergic synapses

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has emerged as an important messenger for activity-dependent development of neuronal network. Recent findings have suggested that a significant proportion of BDNF can be secreted as a precursor (proBDNF) and cleaved by extracellular proteases to yield the mature form. While the actions of proBDNF on maturation and plasticity of excitatory synapses have been studied, the effect of the precursor on developing GABAergic synapses remains largely unknown. Here, we show that regulated secretion of proBDNF exerts a bidirectional control of GABAergic synaptic activity with NMDA receptors driving the polarity of the plasticity. When NMDA receptors are activated during ongoing synaptic activity, regulated Ca(2+)-dependent secretion of proBDNF signals via p75(NTR) to depress GABAergic synaptic activity, while in the absence of NMDA receptors activation, secreted proBDNF induces a p75(NTR)-dependent potentiation of GABAergic synaptic activity. These results revealed a new function for proBDNF-p75(NTR) signaling in synaptic plasticity and a novel mechanism by which synaptic activity can modulate the development of GABAergic synaptic connections.

Developmental regulation of CB1-mediated spike-time dependent depression at immature mossy fiber-CA3 synapses

Early in postnatal life, mossy fibres (MF), the axons of granule cells in the dentate gyrus, release GABA which is depolarizing and excitatory. Synaptic currents undergo spike-time dependent long-term depression (STD-LTD) regardless of the temporal order of stimulation (pre versus post and viceversa). Here we show that at P3 but not at P21, STD-LTD, induced by negative pairing, is mediated by endocannabinoids mobilized from the postsynaptic cell during spiking-induced membrane depolarization. By diffusing backward, endocannabinoids activate cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptors probably expressed on MF. Thus, STD-LTD was prevented by CB1 receptor antagonists and was absent in CB1-KO mice. Consistent with these data, in situ hybridization experiments revealed detectable level of CB1 mRNA in the granule cell layer at P3 but not at P21. These results indicate that CB1 receptors are transiently expressed on immature MF terminals where they counteract the enhanced neuronal excitability induced by the excitatory action of GABA.

Presynaptic LTP and LTD of excitatory and inhibitory synapses

Ubiquitous forms of long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD) are caused by enduring increases or decreases in neurotransmitter release. Such forms or presynaptic plasticity are equally observed at excitatory and inhibitory synapses and the list of locations expressing presynaptic LTP and LTD continues to grow. In addition to the mechanistically distinct forms of postsynaptic plasticity, presynaptic plasticity offers a powerful means to modify neural circuits. A wide range of induction mechanisms has been identified, some of which occur entirely in the presynaptic terminal, whereas others require retrograde signaling from the postsynaptic to presynaptic terminals. In spite of this diversity of induction mechanisms, some common induction rules can be identified across synapses. Although the precise molecular mechanism underlying long-term changes in transmitter release in most cases remains unclear, increasing evidence indicates that presynaptic LTP and LTD can occur in vivo and likely mediate some forms of learning.

Transcranial pulsed magnetic field stimulation facilitates reorganization of abnormal neural circuits and corrects behavioral deficits without disrupting normal connectivity

Although the organization of neuronal circuitry is shaped by activity patterns, the capacity to modify and/or optimize the structure and function of whole projection pathways using external stimuli is poorly defined. We investigate whether neuronal activity induced by pulsed magnetic fields (PMFs) alters brain structure and function. We delivered low-intensity PMFs to the posterior cranium of awake, unrestrained mice (wild-type and ephrin-A2A5(-/-)) that have disorganized retinocollicular circuitry and associated visuomotor deficits. Control groups of each genotype received sham stimulation. Following daily stimulation for 14 d, we measured biochemical, structural (anterograde tracing), and functional (electrophysiology and behavior) changes in the retinocollicular projection. PMFs induced BDNF, GABA, and nNOS expression in the superior colliculus and retina of wild-type and ephrin-A2A5(-/-) mice. Furthermore, in ephrin-A2A5(-/-) mice, PMFs corrected abnormal neuronal responses and selectively removed inaccurate ectopic axon terminals to improve structural and functional organization of their retinocollicular projection and restore normal visual tracking behavior. In contrast, PMFs did not alter the structure or function of the normal projection in wild-type mice. Sham PMF stimulation had no effect on any mice. Thus, PMF-induced biochemical changes are congruent with its capacity to facilitate beneficial reorganization of abnormal neural circuits without disrupting normal connectivity and function.

Phenobarbital but Not Diazepam Reduces AMPA/kainate Receptor Mediated Currents and Exerts Opposite Actions on Initial Seizures in the Neonatal Rat Hippocampus

Diazepam (DZP) and phenobarbital (PB) are extensively used as first and second line drugs to treat acute seizures in neonates and their actions are thought to be mediated by increasing the actions of GABAergic signals. Yet, their efficacy is variable with occasional failure or even aggravation of recurrent seizures questioning whether other mechanisms are not involved in their actions. We have now compared the effects of DZP and PB on ictal-like events (ILEs) in an in vitro model of mirror focus (MF). Using the three-compartment chamber with the two immature hippocampi and their commissural fibers placed in three different compartments, kainate was applied to one hippocampus and PB or DZP to the contralateral one, either after one ILE, or after many recurrent ILEs that produce an epileptogenic MF. We report that in contrast to PB, DZP aggravated propagating ILEs from the start, and did not prevent the formation of MF. PB reduced and DZP increased the network driven giant depolarizing potentials suggesting that PB may exert additional actions that are not mediated by GABA signaling. In keeping with this, PB but not DZP reduced field potentials recorded in the presence of GABA and NMDA receptor antagonists. These effects are mediated by a direct action on AMPA/kainate receptors since PB: (i) reduced AMPA/kainate receptor mediated currents induced by focal applications of glutamate; (ii) reduced the amplitude and the frequency of AMPA but not NMDA receptor mediated miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs); (iii) augmented the number of AMPA receptor mediated EPSCs failures evoked by minimal stimulation. These effects persisted in MF. Therefore, PB exerts its anticonvulsive actions partly by reducing AMPA/kainate receptors mediated EPSCs in addition to the pro-GABA effects. We suggest that PB may have advantage over DZP in the treatment of initial neonatal seizures since the additional reduction of glutamate receptors mediated signals may reduce the severity of neonatal seizures.

The many forms and functions of long term plasticity at GABAergic synapses

On February 12th 1973, Bliss and Lomo submitted their findings on activity-dependent plasticity of glutamatergic synapses. After this groundbreaking discovery, long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD) gained center stage in the study of learning, memory, and experience-dependent refinement of neural circuits. While LTP and LTD are extensively studied and their relevance to brain function is widely accepted, new experimental and theoretical work recently demonstrates that brain development and function relies on additional forms of plasticity, some of which occur at nonglutamatergic synapses. The strength of GABAergic synapses is modulated by activity, and new functions for inhibitory synaptic plasticity are emerging. Together with excitatory neurons, inhibitory neurons shape the excitability and dynamic range of neural circuits. Thus, the understanding of inhibitory synaptic plasticity is crucial to fully comprehend the physiology of brain circuits. Here, I will review recent findings about plasticity at GABAergic synapses and discuss how it may contribute to circuit function.

Long-term plasticity at inhibitory synapses

Experience-dependent modifications of neural circuits and function are believed to heavily depend on changes in synaptic efficacy such as LTP/LTD. Hence, much effort has been devoted to elucidating the mechanisms underlying these forms of synaptic plasticity. Although most of this work has focused on excitatory synapses, it is now clear that diverse mechanisms of long-term inhibitory plasticity have evolved to provide additional flexibility to neural circuits. By changing the excitatory/inhibitory balance, GABAergic plasticity can regulate excitability, neural circuit function and ultimately, contribute to learning and memory, and neural circuit refinement. Here we discuss recent advancements in our understanding of the mechanisms and functional relevance of GABAergic inhibitory synaptic plasticity.

Depolarizing actions of GABA in immature neurons depend neither on ketone bodies nor on pyruvate

GABA depolarizes immature neurons because of a high [Cl(-)](i) and orchestrates giant depolarizing potential (GDP) generation. Zilberter and coworkers (Rheims et al., 2009; Holmgren et al., 2010) showed recently that the ketone body metabolite DL-3-hydroxybutyrate (DL-BHB) (4 mM), lactate (4 mM), or pyruvate (5 mM) shifted GABA actions to hyperpolarizing, suggesting that the depolarizing effects of GABA are attributable to inadequate energy supply when glucose is the sole energy source. We now report that, in rat pups (postnatal days 4-7), plasma D-BHB, lactate, and pyruvate levels are 0.9, 1.5, and 0.12 mM, respectively. Then, we show that DL-BHB (4 mM) and pyruvate (200 μM) do not affect (i) the driving force for GABA(A) receptor-mediated currents (DF(GABA)) in cell-attached single-channel recordings, (2) the resting membrane potential and reversal potential of synaptic GABA(A) receptor-mediated responses in perforated patch recordings, (3) the action potentials triggered by focal GABA applications, or (4) the GDPs determined with electrophysiological recordings and dynamic two-photon calcium imaging. Only very high nonphysiological concentrations of pyruvate (5 mM) reduced DF(GABA) and blocked GDPs. Therefore, DL-BHB does not alter GABA signals even at the high concentrations used by Zilberter and colleagues, whereas pyruvate requires exceedingly high nonphysiological concentrations to exert an effect. There is no need to alter conventional glucose enriched artificial CSF to investigate GABA signals in the developing brain.