QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

HOME  |   SEARCH  |   ARCHIVE  |   SUBSCRIBE  |   CONTACT  |   HELP

The Journal of Neuroscience, August 10, 2005, 25(32):7309-7316; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0375-05.2005

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Supplemental data Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (10) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Long, M. A. Articles by Connors, B. W. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Long, M. A. Articles by Connors, B. W.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Behavioral/Systems/Cognitive
Abrupt Maturation of a Spike-Synchronizing Mechanism in Neocortex

Michael A. Long, Scott J. Cruikshank, Michael J. Jutras, and Barry W. Connors

Department of Neuroscience, Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912

Synchronous activity is common in the neocortex, although its significance, mechanisms, and development are poorly understood. Previous work showed that networks of electrically coupled inhibitory interneurons called low-threshold spiking (LTS) cells can fire synchronously when stimulated by metabotropic glutamate receptors. Here we found that the coordinated inhibition emerging from an activated LTS network could induce correlated spiking patterns among neighboring excitatory cells. Synchronous activity among LTS cells was absent at postnatal day 12 (P12) but appeared abruptly over the next few days. The rapid development of the LTS-synchronizing system coincided with the maturation of the inhibitory outputs and intrinsic membrane properties of the neurons. In contrast, the incidence and magnitude of electrical synapses remained constant between P8 and P15. The developmental transformation of LTS interneurons into a synchronous, oscillatory network overlaps with the onset of active somatosensory exploration, suggesting a potential role for this synchronizing system in sensory processing.

Key words: interneuron; inhibition; synchrony; electrical coupling; gap junction; development

---

Received Jan 27, 2005; revised June 2, 2005; accepted June 23, 2005.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C.-T. Wang, A. G. Blankenship, A. Anishchenko, J. Elstrott, M. Fikhman, S. Nakanishi, and M. B. Feller GABAA Receptor-Mediated Signaling Alters the Structure of Spontaneous Activity in the Developing Retina J. Neurosci., August 22, 2007; 27(34): 9130 - 9140. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. J. Borgdorff, J. F. A. Poulet, and C. C. H. Petersen Facilitating Sensory Responses in Developing Mouse Somatosensory Barrel Cortex J Neurophysiol, April 1, 2007; 97(4): 2992 - 3003. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. G. Mancilla, T. J. Lewis, D. J. Pinto, J. Rinzel, and B. W. Connors Synchronization of Electrically Coupled Pairs of Inhibitory Interneurons in Neocortex J. Neurosci., February 21, 2007; 27(8): 2058 - 2073. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Ma, H. Hu, A. S. Berrebi, P. H. Mathers, and A. Agmon Distinct subtypes of somatostatin-containing neocortical interneurons revealed in transgenic mice. J. Neurosci., May 10, 2006; 26(19): 5069 - 5082. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home  |   Search  |   Archive  |   Subscribe  |   Contact  |   Help