Cocaine engages a non-canonical, dopamine-independent, mechanism that controls neuronal excitability in the nucleus accumbens.

Drug-induced enhanced dopamine (DA) signaling in the brain is a canonical mechanism that initiates addiction processes. However, indirect evidence suggests that cocaine also triggers non-canonical, DA-independent, mechanisms that contribute to behavioral responses to cocaine, including psychomotor sensitization and cocaine self-administration. Identifying these mechanisms and determining how they are initiated is fundamental to further our understanding of addiction processes. Using physiologically relevant in vitro tractable models, we found that cocaine-induced hypoactivity of nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) medium spiny neurons (MSNs), one hallmark of cocaine addiction, is independent of DA signaling. Combining brain slice studies and site-directed mutagenesis in HEK293T cells, we found that cocaine binding to intracellular sigma-1 receptor (σ1) initiates this mechanism. Subsequently, σ1 binds to Kv1.2 potassium channels, followed by accumulation of Kv1.2 in the plasma membrane, thereby depressing NAcSh MSNs firing. This mechanism is specific to D1 receptor-expressing MSNs. Our study uncovers a mechanism for cocaine that bypasses DA signaling and leads to addiction-relevant neuroadaptations, thereby providing combinatorial strategies for treating stimulant abuse.

Inception of memories that guide vocal learning in the songbird.

Animals learn many complex behaviors by emulating the behavior of more experienced individuals. This essential, yet still poorly understood, form of learning relies on the ability to encode lasting memories of observed behaviors. We identified a vocal-motor pathway in the zebra finch where memories that guide learning of song-element durations can be implanted. Activation of synapses in this pathway seeds memories that guide learning of song-element duration and can override learning from social interactions with other individuals. Genetic lesions of this circuit after memory formation, however, do not disrupt subsequent song imitation, which suggests that these memories are stored at downstream synapses. Thus, activity at these sensorimotor synapses can bypass learning from auditory and social experience and embed memories that guide learning of song timing.

Interleukin 6 Dependent Synaptic Plasticity in a Social Defeat-Susceptible Prefrontal Cortex Circuit.

The role of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the etiology of stress-induced synaptic plasticity is yet unknown. We took advantage of a genetically modified mouse (TG) in which IL-6 trans-signaling via the soluble IL-6 receptor was blocked, to determine the role of IL-6 trans-signaling in the effects of a Social Defeat protocol (SD) on synaptic function of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Synaptic function in stress-sensitive (S) and stress-resilient (R) animals was studied in a mPFC slice preparation with whole-cell patch-clamp recording. SD altered numerous synaptic properties of the mPFC: R WT (but not TG) displayed a decreased ratio between N methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR-) dependent and amino propionic acid receptor (AMPAR-) dependent-current (INMDA/IAMPA), while S WT animals (but not TG) showed a reduced ratio between AMPA and γ-amino-butyric acid receptor type A (GABAAR)-dependent currents (IAMPA/IGABA). Also, SD induced an increase in the frequency but a decrease in the amplitude of excitatory action-potential dependent PSCs (sEPSCs), both in an IL-6 dependent manner, as well as a generalized (S/R-independent) decrease in the frequency of action potential independent (miniature) excitatory (IL-6 dependent) as well as inhibitory (IL-6 independent) postsynaptic current frequency. Interestingly, corner preference (measuring the intensity of social defeat) correlated positively with INMDA/IAMPA and eEPSC frequency and negatively with IAMPA/IGABA. Our results suggest that SD induces behaviorally-relevant synaptic rearrangement in mPFC circuits, part of which is IL-6 dependent. In particular, IL-6 is necessary to produce synaptic plasticity leading to stress resilience in some individuals, but to stress sensitivity in others.

A new theory of depression based on the serotonin/kynurenine relationship and the hypothalamicpituitary- adrenal axis

The serotonergic and immunological hypothesis of depression proposes that certain types of excessive stress distort the relationship between the activities of the innate immune and central nervous systems, so that the stress caused by an infection, or excessive psychological stress, activate toll-like receptors such as the TLR-4, the transcription factor NF-kB, the inflammasome NLRP3, as well as the secretion of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and other factors of the innate immune response, causing first, the general symptoms of the disease which appear with any infection, but also those characteristic of depressive illness such as dysphoria and anhedonia. The evidence indicates that, if the stimulus persists or recurs within 24 hours, the indole-2, 3-dioxygenase enzyme (IDO) of the kynurenine metabolic pathway, which increases the synthesis of quinolinic acid, is activated with an associated reduction of serotonin synthesis. Quinolinic acid activates NMDA receptors in the central nervous system and stimulates the secretion of interleukins IL-6 and 1L-1ß, among others, promoting hyper-activity of the HPA axis and reinforcing a bias of the tryptophan metabolism to produce quinolinic acid, and interleukins by the innate immune system, further reducing the synthesis of serotonin and consolidating the depressive process. We discuss the evidence showing that this process can be initiated by either interleukin stimulated by an infection or some vaccines or excessive psychological stress that activates the HPA axis together with said innate immune response, causing a process of aseptic inflammation in the central nervous system.

Nueva teoría sobre la depresión: un equilibrio del ánimo entre el sistema nervioso y el inmunológico, con regulación de la serotonina-quinurenina y el eje hipotálamo-hipófiso-suprarrenal / A new theory of depression based on the serotonin/kynurenine relationship and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

La hipótesis sobre las causas de la depresión basada en la acción de la serotonina y del sistema inmunológico, propone que ciertos tipos de estrés distorsionan la relación entre la actividad del sistema inmunitario innato y la del sistema nervioso central. El estrés causado por una infección o el estrés psicológico excesivo activan receptores de tipo toll, como el TLR-4, el factor de transcripción NF-kB, el inflamasoma NLRP3, así como la secreción de interleucina 1 beta (IL-1ß) e interleucina 6 (IL-6); esto causa, en primer lugar, los síntomas generales de enfermedad que aparecen con cualquier infección, pero también los síntomas característicos de la depresión como disforia y anhedonia. Las evidencias indican que, si el estímulo persiste o se repite en las siguientes 24 horas, se activa la enzima indolamina 2,3-dioxigenasa (IDO) de la vía metabólica de la quinurenina, lo cual incrementa la síntesis del ácido quinolínico y reduce la síntesis de serotonina. El ácido quinolínico activa los receptores de N-metil-D-aspartato (NMDA) en el sistema nervioso central y estimula la secreción de, entre otras, las interleucinas IL-6 e 1L-1ß, las cuales promueven la hiperactividad del eje hipotálamohipófiso-suprarrenal y refuerzan la desviación del metabolismo del triptófano hacia la producción de ácido quinolínico, así como de las interleucinas de la inmunidad innata, con lo cual se reduce más la síntesis de serotonina y se consolida el proceso depresivo. Este proceso puede ser iniciado por las interleucinas estimuladas por una infección, así como por algunas vacunas o por un estrés psicológico excesivo que active el eje hipotálamo-hipófiso-suprarrenal simultáneamente con la respuesta inmunológica innata, con lo que se provocaría un proceso de inflamación estéril en el sistema nervioso central.

The serotonergic and immunological hypothesis of depression proposes that certain types of excessive stress distort the relationship between the activities of the innate immune and central nervous systems, so that the stress caused by an infection, or excessive psychological stress, activate toll-like receptors such as the TLR-4, the transcription factor NF-kB, the inflammasome NLRP3, as well as the secretion of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and other factors of the innate immune response, causing first, the general symptoms of the disease which appear with any infection, but also those characteristic of depressive illness such as dysphoria and anhedonia. The evidence indicates that, if the stimulus persists or recurs within 24 hours, the indole-2, 3-dioxygenase enzyme (IDO) of the kynurenine metabolic pathway, which increases the synthesis of quinolinic acid, is activated with an associated reduction of serotonin synthesis. Quinolinic acid activates NMDA receptors in the central nervous system and stimulates the secretion of interleukins IL-6 and 1L-1ß, among others, promoting hyper-activity of the HPA axis and reinforcing a bias of the tryptophan metabolism to produce quinolinic acid, and interleukins by the innate immune system, further reducing the synthesis of serotonin and consolidating the depressive process. We discuss the evidence showing that this process can be initiated by either interleukin stimulated by an infection or some vaccines or excessive psychological stress that activates the HPA axis together with said innate immune response, causing a process of aseptic inflammation in the central nervous system.

Cerebrolysin prevents deficits in social behavior, repetitive conduct, and synaptic inhibition in a rat model of autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a syndrome of diverse neuropsychiatric diseases of growing incidence characterized by repetitive conduct and impaired social behavior and communication for which effective pharmacological treatment is still unavailable. While the mechanisms and etiology of ASD are still unknown, a consensus is emerging about the synaptic nature of the syndrome, suggesting a possible avenue for pharmacological treatment with synaptogenic compounds. The peptidic mixture cerebrolysin (CBL) has been successfully used during the last three decades in the treatment of stroke and neurodegenerative disease. Animal experiments indicate that at least one possible mechanism of action of CBL is through neuroprotection and/or synaptogenesis. In the present study, we tested the effect of CBL treatment (daily injection of 2.5 mL/Kg i.p. during 15 days) on a rat model of ASD. This was based on the offspring (43 male and 51 female pups) of a pregnant female rat injected with valproic acid (VPA, 600 mg/Kg) at the embryonic day 12.5, which previous work has shown to display extensive behavioral, as well as synaptic impairment. Comparison between saline vs. CBL-injected VPA animals shows that CBL treatment improves behavioral as well as synaptic impairments, measured by behavioral performance (social interaction, Y-maze, plus-maze), maximal response of inhibitory γ-amino butyric acid type A receptor (GABAA R)-mediated synaptic currents, as well as their kinetic properties and adrenergic and muscarinic modulation. We speculate that CBL might be a viable and effective candidate for pharmacological treatment or co-treatment of ASD patients. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Interleukin 6 trans-signaling regulates basal synaptic transmission and sensitivity to pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in mice.

The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) interacts with the central nervous system in a largely unknown manner. We used a genetically modified mouse strain (GFAP-sgp130Fc, TG) and wild type (WT) mice to determine whether IL-6 trans-signaling contributes to basal properties of synaptic transmission. Postsynaptic currents (PSCs) were studied by patch-clamp recording in cortical layer 5 of a mouse prefrontal cortex brain slice preparation. TG and WT animals displayed differences mainly (but not exclusively) in excitatory synaptic responses. The frequency of both action potential-independent (miniature) and action potential-dependent (spontaneous) excitatory PSCs (EPSCs) were higher for TG vs. WT animals. No differences were observed in inhibitory miniature, spontaneous, or tonic inhibitory currents. The pair pulse ratio (PPR) of electrically evoked inhibitory as well as of excitatory PSCs were also larger in TG animals vs. WT ones, while no changes were detected in electrically evoked excitatory-inhibitory synaptic ratio (eEPSC/eIPSC), nor in the ratio between the amino-propionic acid receptor (AMPAR)-mediated and N-methyl D aspartate-R (NMDAR)-mediated components of eEPSCs (IAMPA /INMDA ). Evoked IPSC rise times were shorter for TG vs. WT animals. We also compared the sensitivity of TG and WT animals to pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures. We found that TG animals were more sensitive to PTZ injections, as they displayed longer and more severe seizures. We conclude that the absence of basal IL-6 trans-signaling contributes to increase the basal excitability of the central nervous system, at the system level as well at the synaptic level, at least in the prefrontal cortex.

Locus Ceruleus Norepinephrine Release: A Central Regulator of CNS Spatio-Temporal Activation?

Norepinephrine (NE) is synthesized in the Locus Coeruleus (LC) of the brainstem, from where it is released by axonal varicosities throughout the brain via volume transmission. A wealth of data from clinics and from animal models indicates that this catecholamine coordinates the activity of the central nervous system (CNS) and of the whole organism by modulating cell function in a vast number of brain areas in a coordinated manner. The ubiquity of NE receptors, the daunting number of cerebral areas regulated by the catecholamine, as well as the variety of cellular effects and of their timescales have contributed so far to defeat the attempts to integrate central adrenergic function into a unitary and coherent framework. Since three main families of NE receptors are represented-in order of decreasing affinity for the catecholamine-by: α2 adrenoceptors (α2Rs, high affinity), α1 adrenoceptors (α1Rs, intermediate affinity), and ß adrenoceptors (ßRs, low affinity), on a pharmacological basis, and on the ground of recent studies on cellular and systemic central noradrenergic effects, we propose that an increase in LC tonic activity promotes the emergence of four global states covering the whole spectrum of brain activation: (1) sleep: virtual absence of NE, (2) quiet wake: activation of α2Rs, (3) active wake/physiological stress: activation of α2- and α1-Rs, (4) distress: activation of α2-, α1-, and ß-Rs. We postulate that excess intensity and/or duration of states (3) and (4) may lead to maladaptive plasticity, causing-in turn-a variety of neuropsychiatric illnesses including depression, schizophrenic psychoses, anxiety disorders, and attention deficit. The interplay between tonic and phasic LC activity identified in the LC in relationship with behavioral response is of critical importance in defining the short- and long-term biological mechanisms associated with the basic states postulated for the CNS. While the model has the potential to explain a large number of experimental and clinical findings, a major challenge will be to adapt this hypothesis to integrate the role of other neurotransmitters released during stress in a centralized fashion, like serotonin, acetylcholine, and histamine, as well as those released in a non-centralized fashion, like purines and cytokines.

Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recordings in Brain Slices.

Whole-cell patch-clamp recording is an electrophysiological technique that allows the study of the electrical properties of a substantial part of the neuron. In this configuration, the micropipette is in tight contact with the cell membrane, which prevents current leakage and thereby provides more accurate ionic current measurements than the previously used intracellular sharp electrode recording method. Classically, whole-cell recording can be performed on neurons in various types of preparations, including cell culture models, dissociated neurons, neurons in brain slices, and in intact anesthetized or awake animals. In summary, this technique has immensely contributed to the understanding of passive and active biophysical properties of excitable cells. A major advantage of this technique is that it provides information on how specific manipulations (e.g., pharmacological, experimenter-induced plasticity) may alter specific neuronal functions or channels in real-time. Additionally, significant opening of the plasma membrane allows the internal pipette solution to freely diffuse into the cytoplasm, providing means for introducing drugs, e.g., agonists or antagonists of specific intracellular proteins, and manipulating these targets without altering their functions in neighboring cells. This article will focus on whole-cell recording performed on neurons in brain slices, a preparation that has the advantage of recording neurons in relatively well preserved brain circuits, i.e., in a physiologically relevant context. In particular, when combined with appropriate pharmacology, this technique is a powerful tool allowing identification of specific neuroadaptations that occurred following any type of experiences, such as learning, exposure to drugs of abuse, and stress. In summary, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in brain slices provide means to measure in ex vivo preparation long-lasting changes in neuronal functions that have developed in intact awake animals.

Activation of the anti-inflammatory reflex blocks lipopolysaccharide-induced decrease in synaptic inhibition in the temporal cortex of the rat.

Stress is a potential trigger for a number of neuropsychiatric conditions, including anxiety syndromes and schizophrenic psychoses. The temporal neocortex is a stress-sensitive area involved in the development of such conditions. We have recently shown that aseptic inflammation and mild electric shock shift the balance between synaptic excitation and synaptic inhibition in favor of the former in this brain area (Garcia-Oscos et al., 2012), as well as in the prefrontal cortex (Garcia-Oscos et al., 2014). Given the potential clinical importance of this phenomenon in the etiology of hyperexcitable neuropsychiatric illness, this study investigates whether inactivation of the peripheral immune system by the "anti-inflammatory reflex" would reduce the central response to aseptic inflammation. For a model of aseptic inflammation, this study used i.p. injections of the bacterial toxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 5 µM) and activated the anti-inflammatory reflex either pharmacologically by i.p. injections of the nicotinic α7 receptor agonist PHA543613 or physiologically through electrical stimulation of the left vagal nerve (VNS). Patch-clamp recording was used to monitor synaptic function. Recordings from LPS-injected Sprague Dawley rats show that activation of the anti-inflammatory reflex either pharmacologically or by VNS blocks or greatly reduces the LPS-induced decrease of the synaptic inhibitory-to-excitatory ratio and the saturation level of inhibitory current input-output curves. Given the ample variety of pharmacologically available α7 nicotinic receptor agonists as well as the relative safety of clinical VNS already approved by the FDA for the treatment of epilepsy and depression, our findings suggest a new therapeutic avenue in the treatment of stress-induced hyperexcitable conditions mediated by a decrease in synaptic inhibition in the temporal cortex.

Vagal nerve stimulation blocks interleukin 6-dependent synaptic hyperexcitability induced by lipopolysaccharide-induced acute stress in the rodent prefrontal cortex.

The ratio between synaptic inhibition and excitation (sI/E) is a critical factor in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disease. We recently described a stress-induced interleukin-6 dependent mechanism leading to a decrease in sI/E in the rodent temporal cortex. The aim of the present study was to determine whether a similar mechanism takes place in the prefrontal cortex, and to elaborate strategies to prevent or attenuate it. We used aseptic inflammation (single acute injections of lipopolysaccharide, LPS, 10mg/kg) as stress model, and patch-clamp recording on a prefrontal cortical slice preparation from wild-type rat and mice, as well as from transgenic mice in which the inhibitor of IL-6 trans-signaling sgp130Fc was produced in a brain-specific fashion (sgp130Fc mice). The anti-inflammatory reflex was activated either by vagal nerve stimulation or peripheral administration of the nicotinic α7 receptor agonist PHA543613. We found that the IL-6-dependent reduction in prefrontal cortex synaptic inhibition was blocked in sgp130Fc mice, or - in wild-type animals - upon application sgp130Fc. Similar results were obtained by activating the "anti-inflammatory reflex" - a neural circuit regulating peripheral immune response - by stimulation of the vagal nerve or through peripheral administration of the α7 nicotinic receptor agonist PHA543613. Our results indicate that the prefrontal cortex is an important potential target of IL-6 mediated trans-signaling, and suggest a potential new avenue in the treatment of a large class of hyperexcitable neuropsychiatric conditions, including epilepsy, schizophrenic psychoses, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and depression.

Activation of 5-HT receptors inhibits GABAergic transmission by pre-and post-synaptic mechanisms in layer II/III of the juvenile rat auditory cortex.

The specific mechanisms by which serotonin (5-HT) modulates synaptic transmission in the auditory cortex are still unknown. In this work, we used whole-cell recordings from layer II/III of pyramidal neurons in rat brain slices to characterize the influence of 5-HT on inhibitory synaptic activity in the auditory cortex after pharmacological blockade of excitatory glutamatergic transmission. We found that bath application of 5-HT (5 µM) reduced the frequency and amplitude of both spontaneous and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs), reduced the amplitude of evoked IPSCs, and enhanced facilitation of paired pulse ratio (PPR), suggesting presynaptic inhibition. To determine which the serotonin receptors were involved in this effect, we studied the influence of specific 5-HT receptor agonists and antagonists on É£-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic synaptic transmission. The inhibiting influence of 5-HT in the GABAergic synaptic activity was mimicked by using the selective agonists of the 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors, 8(OH)-DPAT (10 µM) and DOI (10 µM), respectively; and it was prevented by their respective antagonists NAN-190 (1 µM) and ritanserin (1 µM). Furthermore, the application of the selective agonist of 5-HT1A receptors, 8-(OH)-DPAT (10 µM), produced PPR facilitation, while DOI application (5-HT2A agonist) did not change the PPR. Moreover, the 5-HT2A agonist reduced the amplitude of the IPSCs evoked by application of the selective GABA agonist, muscimol. These results suggest a presynaptic and postsynaptic reduction of GABAergic transmission mediated by 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A serotonergic receptors, respectively.

Layer- and area-specificity of the adrenergic modulation of synaptic transmission in the rat neocortex.

The mammalian neocortex is a multilayered structure receiving extensive adrenergic projections both in rostral and caudal areas. The cellular mechanisms of norepinephrine (NE) in the neocortex are incompletely understood. We used electrophysiology to determine whether NE modulation of synaptic transmission were similar in rostral versus caudal cortical areas, and in infra- versus supra-granular cortical layers. To address these questions we used bath applications of NE (20 µM) to determine its effects on pharmacologically isolated electrically-evoked 2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazol-4-yl) propionic acid receptor (AMPAR)-mediated excitatory synaptic currents (eEPSCs), or γ-amino butyric acid A receptor (GABAAR)-mediated inhibitory synaptic currents (eIPSCs). We monitored synaptic currents in pyramidal neurons using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from supragranular layer 2/3 (L2/3) and infragranular layer 5 (L5) neurons in a thin-slice preparation of rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). These results were compared with the effects in the temporal cortex (TC) under similar experimental conditions. We found that NE uniformly and transiently depressed eEPSCs from supragranular to infragranular layers in both the PFC and the TC. On the contrary, the effects of NE on eIPSC were area- and layer-dependent, as NE enhanced the mean amplitude in TC L2/3 and PFC L5 eIPSCs (which displayed the largest saturation currents in the areas studied) but depressed PFC L2/3 eIPSCs, without affecting TC L5 eIPSCs. While the precise physiological meaning of these results is still unclear, our data are consistent with the existence of a dense noradrenergic-controlled GABAergic cortical network in the PFC, in which L5 may act as a decisional bottleneck for behavioral inhibition.

Impairment of cortical GABAergic synaptic transmission in an environmental rat model of autism.

The biological mechanisms of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are largely unknown in spite of extensive research. ASD is characterized by altered function of multiple brain areas including the temporal cortex and by an increased synaptic excitation:inhibition ratio. While numerous studies searched for evidence of increased excitation in ASD, fewer have investigated the possibility of reduced inhibition. We characterized the cortical γ-amino butyric acid (GABA)ergic system in the rat temporal cortex of an ASD model [offspring of mothers prenatally injected with valproic acid (VPA)], by monitoring inhibitory post-synaptic currents (IPSCs) with patch-clamp. We found that numerous features of inhibition were severely altered in VPA animals compared to controls. Among them were the frequency of miniature IPSCs, the rise time and decay time of electrically-evoked IPSCs, the slope and saturation of their input/output curves, as well as their modulation by adrenergic and muscarinic agonists and by the synaptic GABAA receptor allosteric modulator zolpidem (but not by the extra-synaptic modulator gaboxadol). Our data suggest that both pre- and post-synaptic, but not extra-synaptic, inhibitory transmission is impaired in the offspring of VPA-injected mothers. We speculate that impairment in the GABAergic system critically contributes to an increase in the ratio between synaptic excitation and inhibition, which in genetically predisposed individuals may alter cortical circuits responsible for emotional, communication and social impairments at the core of ASD.

Role of IL-6 in the etiology of hyperexcitable neuropsychiatric conditions: experimental evidence and therapeutic implications.

Many neuropsychiatric conditions are primed or triggered by different types of stressors. The mechanisms through which stress induces neuropsychiatric disease are complex and incompletely understood. A 'double hit' hypothesis of neuropsychiatric disease postulates that stress induces maladaptive behavior in two phases separated by a dormant period. Recent research shows that the pleiotropic cytokine IL-6 is released centrally and peripherally following physical and psychological stress. In this article, we analyze evidence from clinics and animal models suggesting that stress-induced elevation in the levels of IL-6 may play a key role in the etiology of a heterogeneous family of hyperexcitable central conditions including epilepsy, schizophrenic psychoses, anxiety and disorders of the autistic spectrum. The cellular mechanism leading to hyperexcitable conditions might be a decrease in inhibitory/excitatory synaptic balance in either or both temporal phases of the conditions. Following these observations, we discuss how they may have important implications for optimal prophylactic and therapeutic pharmacological treatment.

Pre- and postsynaptic effects of norepinephrine on γ-aminobutyric acid-mediated synaptic transmission in layer 2/3 of the rat auditory cortex.

Noradrenergic terminals from the locus coeruleus release norepinephrine (NE) throughout most brain areas, including the auditory cortex, where they affect neural processing by modulating numerous cellular properties including the inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic transmission. We recently demonstrated that NE affects GABAergic signaling onto cortical pyramidal cells in a complex manner. In this study, we used a combination of patch-clamp recording and immunohistochemical techniques to identify the synaptic site and the location of the adrenergic receptors involved in the modulation of GABAergic signaling in cortical layer 2/3 of the rat. Our results showed that NE increases the frequency of spike-independent miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs), as well as the probability of release of unitary inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) obtained with patch-clamp pair-recordings. The pharmacology of mIPSCs and the identification of adrenergic receptors in neurons containing the GABAergic marker parvalbumin (PV) suggest that NE increases the presynaptic probability of GABA release by activating α(2) - and ß-receptors on PV-positive neurons. On the contrary, bath-applied NE or phenylephrine, decreased the current mediated by pressure application of the GABA(A) -receptor agonist muscimol, as well as the amplitude-but not the frequency-of mIPSCs, indicating that activation of postsynaptic α(1) adrenoceptors reversibly depressed GABAergic currents. We speculate that while a generalized postsynaptic decrease of GABAergic inhibition might decrease the synaptic activation threshold for pyramidal neurons corresponding to an alert state, NE might promote perception and sensory binding by facilitating lateral inhibition as well as the production of γ-oscillations by a selective enhancement of perisomatic inhibition.

The stress-induced cytokine interleukin-6 decreases the inhibition/excitation ratio in the rat temporal cortex via trans-signaling.

BACKGROUND: Although it is known that stress elevates the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promotes hyper-excitable central conditions, a causal relationship between these two factors has not yet been identified. Recent studies suggest that increases in interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels are specifically associated with stress. We hypothesized that IL-6 acutely and directly induces cortical hyper-excitability by altering the balance between synaptic excitation and inhibition. METHODS: We used patch-clamp to determine the effects of exogenous or endogenous IL-6 on electrically evoked postsynaptic currents on a cortical rat slice preparation. We used control subjects or animals systemically injected with lipopolysaccharide or subjected to electrical foot-shock as rat models of stress. RESULTS: In control animals, IL-6 did not affect excitatory postsynaptic currents but selectively and reversibly reduced the amplitude of inhibitory postsynaptic currents with a postsynaptic effect. The IL-6-induced inhibitory postsynaptic currents decrease was inhibited by drugs interfering with receptor trafficking and/or internalization, including wortmannin, Brefeldin A, 2-Br-hexadecanoic acid, or dynamin peptide inhibitor. In both animal models, stress-induced decrease in synaptic inhibition/excitation ratio was prevented by prior intra-ventricular injection of an analog of the endogenous IL-6 trans-signaling blocker gp130. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that stress-induced IL-6 shifts the balance between synaptic inhibition and excitation in favor of the latter, possibly by decreasing the density of functional γ-aminobutyric acid A receptors, accelerating their removal and/or decreasing their insertion rate from/to the plasma membrane. We speculate that this mechanism could contribute to stress-induced detrimental long-term increases in central excitability present in a variety of neurological and psychiatric conditions.

Dynamic modulation of short-term synaptic plasticity in the auditory cortex: the role of norepinephrine.

Norepinephrine (NE) is an important modulator of neuronal activity in the auditory cortex. Using patch-clamp recording and a pair pulse protocol on an auditory cortex slice preparation we recently demonstrated that NE affects cortical inhibition in a layer-specific manner, by decreasing apical but increasing basal inhibition onto layer II/III pyramidal cell dendrites. In the present study we used a similar protocol to investigate the dependence of noradrenergic modulation of inhibition on stimulus frequency, using 1s-long train pulses at 5, 10, and 20 Hz. The study was conducted using pharmacologically isolated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) evoked by electrical stimulation of axons either in layer I (LI-eIPSCs) or in layer II/III (LII/III-eIPSCs). We found that: 1) LI-eIPSC display less synaptic depression than LII/III-eIPSCs at all the frequencies tested, 2) in both type of synapses depression had a presynaptic component which could be altered manipulating [Ca²+]0, 3) NE modestly altered short-term synaptic plasticity at low or intermediate (5-10 Hz) frequencies, but selectively enhanced synaptic facilitation in LI-eIPSCs while increasing synaptic depression of LII/III-eIPSCs in the latest (>250 ms) part of the response, at high stimulation frequency (20 Hz). We speculate that these mechanisms may limit the temporal window for top-down synaptic integration as well as the duration and intensity of stimulus-evoked gamma-oscillations triggered by complex auditory stimuli during alertness.

Layer-specific noradrenergic modulation of inhibition in cortical layer II/III.

Norepinephrine (NE) is released in the neocortex after activation of the locus coeruleus of the brain stem in response to novel, salient, or fight-or-flight stimuli. The role of adrenergic modulation in sensory cortices is not completely understood. We investigated the possibility that NE modifies the balance of inhibition acting on 2 different γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic pathways. Using patch-clamp recordings, we found that the application of NE induces an α(1) adrenergic receptor-mediated decrease of the amplitude of inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) evoked by stimulation of layer I (LI-eIPSCs) and a ß and α(2) receptor-mediated increase in the amplitude of IPSCs evoked by stimulation of layer II/III (LII/III-eIPSCs). Analysis of minimal stimulation IPSCs, IPSC kinetics, and sensitivity to the GABA(A) receptor subunit-selective enhancer zolpidem corroborated the functional difference between LI- and LII/III-eIPSCs, suggestive of a distal versus somatic origin of LI- and LII/III-eIPSCs, respectively. These findings suggest that NE shifts the balance between distal and somatic inhibition to the advantage of the latter. We speculate that such shift modifies the balance of sensory-specific and emotional information in the integration of neural input to the upper layers of the auditory cortex.