High-frequency network oscillations in cerebellar cortex

Neuron. 2008 Jun 12;58(5):763-74. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2008.03.030.

Abstract

Both cerebellum and neocortex receive input from the somatosensory system. Interaction between these regions has been proposed to underpin the correct selection and execution of motor commands, but it is not clear how such interactions occur. In neocortex, inputs give rise to population rhythms, providing a spatiotemporal coding strategy for inputs and consequent outputs. Here, we show that similar patterns of rhythm generation occur in cerebellum during nicotinic receptor subtype activation. Both gamma oscillations (30-80 Hz) and very fast oscillations (VFOs, 80-160 Hz) were generated by intrinsic cerebellar cortical circuitry in the absence of functional glutamatergic connections. As in neocortex, gamma rhythms were dependent on GABA(A) receptor-mediated inhibition, whereas VFOs required only nonsynaptically connected intercellular networks. The ability of cerebellar cortex to generate population rhythms within the same frequency bands as neocortex suggests that they act as a common spatiotemporal code within which corticocerebellar dialog may occur.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / drug effects
  • Action Potentials / physiology
  • Animals
  • Carbenoxolone / pharmacology
  • Cerebellar Cortex / cytology
  • Cerebellar Cortex / physiology*
  • Electroencephalography / methods
  • GABA Antagonists / pharmacology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Nerve Net / drug effects
  • Nerve Net / physiology*
  • Nicotine / pharmacology
  • Nicotinic Agonists / pharmacology
  • Periodicity*
  • Pyramidal Cells / drug effects
  • Pyramidal Cells / physiology*
  • Pyridazines / pharmacology
  • Sodium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Tetrodotoxin / pharmacology

Substances

  • GABA Antagonists
  • Nicotinic Agonists
  • Pyridazines
  • Sodium Channel Blockers
  • Tetrodotoxin
  • Nicotine
  • gabazine
  • Carbenoxolone