Articles

Peptidergic Modulation of Intrathalamic Circuit Activity In Vitro: Actions of Cholecystokinin

Charles L. Cox, John R. Huguenard and David A. Prince
Journal of Neuroscience 1 January 1997, 17 (1) 70-82; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.17-01-00070.1997

Abstract

Cholecystokinin (CCK)-mediated actions on intrathalamic rhythmic activities were examined in an in vitro rat thalamic slice preparation. Single electrical stimuli in the thalamic reticular nucleus (nRt) evoked rhythmic activity (1–15 sec duration) in nRt and the adjacent ventrobasal nucleus (VB). Low CCK concentrations (20–50 nm) suppressed rhythmic oscillations in 43% of experiments but prolonged such activities in the remaining slices. Higher CCK concentrations (100–400 nm) had a predominantly antioscillatory effect.

Suppression of oscillations was associated with a relatively large membrane depolarization of nRt neurons that changed their firing mode from phasic (burst) to tonic (single-spike) output. This decreased burst discharge of nRt neurons during CCK application reduced inhibitory drive onto VB neurons from multiple peaked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) to single peaked inhibitory events. We hypothesize that suppression of inhibitory drive onto VB neurons decreases their probability of burst output, which, together with a reduction of nRt burst output, dampens the oscillatory activity.

Low CCK concentrations, which produced little or no depolarization of nRt neurons, did not alter the firing mode of the nRt neurons. However, the probability of burst output from nRt neurons in response to subthreshold stimuli was increased in low CCK concentrations, presumably leading to an increase in the number of nRt neurons participating in the rhythmic activity. Our findings suggest that the neuropeptide CCK, by altering the firing characteristics of nRt neurons, has powerful modulatory effects on intrathalamic rhythms; the ultimate action was dependent on CCK concentration and resting state of these cells.

Rhythmic activities in thalamocortical circuits occur during sensory processing, slow-wave sleep, and pathophysiological conditions such as petit mal epilepsy (Williams, 1953; Hubel, 1960; Domich et al., 1986; Steriade and Llinás, 1988; Gray and Singer, 1989). The reciprocal synaptic connectivity between the thalamic reticular nucleus (nRt), or the analogous perigeniculate nucleus, and adjacent thalamic relay nuclei, in conjunction with the intrinsic properties of thalamic neurons, can lead to generation of these neuronal oscillations (Steriade and Llinás, 1988; Steriade et al., 1993; von Krosigk et al., 1993;Huguenard and Prince, 1994; Warren et al., 1994). Certain neuromodulators, such as acetylcholine (ACh), norepinephrine (NE), and serotonin (5-HT), which arise from brainstem nuclei, can alter the excitability of thalamic neurons and modify the rhythmic activity (McCormick and Prince, 1987; McCormick and Prince, 1988; Hu et al., 1989a,b; McCormick and Wang, 1991). Little is known regarding the intrinsic cellular mechanisms that control the initiation and cessation of these rhythms (see Bal and McCormick, 1993) or their regulation by substances endogenous to intrathalamic circuits.

The firing mode of nRt neurons is important for the maintenance of thalamic rhythmic activity (Steriade and Deschênes, 1984;Steriade and Llinás, 1988; von Krosigk et al., 1993; Huguenard and Prince, 1994; Bal et al., 1995). Burst discharges in these cells can produce powerful IPSPs in thalamocortical relay (TC) neurons, that in turn activate a low-threshold Ca2+ spike (LTS), which generates bursts of Na+-dependent action potentials (Deschênes et al., 1984; Jahnsen and Llinás, 1984;Steriade and Deschênes, 1984; von Krosigk et al., 1993). Thalamocortical cells form excitatory synapses on nRt neurons and reexcite them to produce burst discharge, continuing the cycle. Thus, burst discharge from neurons in both nuclei are critical for the maintenance of the intrathalamic rhythmic activity.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is one of many neuropeptides localized within thalamic neurons (Hunt et al., 1987; Ogawa et al., 1989;Schiffmann and Vanderhaeghen, 1991; Battaglia et al., 1992; Burgunder and Young, 1992). CCK is present within TC and corticothalamic neurons (Ingram et al., 1989; Burgunder and Young, 1990; Battaglia et al., 1992; Senatorov et al., 1995), receptors for this peptide are located in the thalamus (Zarbin et al., 1983; Pelaprat et al., 1987), and peripheral stimulation can increase CCK levels in the thalamus (Xu et al., 1990). In other regions, neuropeptides are colocalized with “classical” neurotransmitters (Lundberg and Hökfelt, 1983;Hendry et al., 1984; Hökfelt et al., 1986), can be differentially released by activity-dependent processes (Bartfai et al., 1988), and can modulate neuronal excitability (Kupfermann, 1991). CCK can modify single-unit activity in nRt and the lateral geniculate nucleus (Albrecht et al., 1994; Davidowa et al., 1995; Cox et al., 1995a). Intracellular recordings of nRt neurons reveal that CCK decreases a leak potassium conductance (Kleak), resulting in a long-lasting membrane depolarization (Cox et al., 1995a). Because CCK is endogenous to the thalamocortical circuit and produces enduring modifications of neuronal excitability, this compound may serve as an intrinsic, long-term regulator of intrathalamic rhythms.

Rat thalamic slices maintained in vitro possess sufficient connectivity to generate slow intrathalamic rhythms resembling those observed during slow-wave sleep and petit mal seizures (Huguenard and Prince, 1994). We have investigated the actions of CCK on intrathalamic rhythms using this preparation. Because CCK induces membrane depolarizations (Cox et al., 1995a) that could alter the firing mode of nRt neurons from bursting to single-spike in a manner similar to that reported for NE and 5-HT (McCormick and Prince, 1988; McCormick and Wang, 1991), we hypothesized that this peptide would suppress the intrathalamic rhythms. Our results indicate that CCK has dual effects on the phasic intrathalamic activities. At low concentrations, CCK can either facilitate or suppress the rhythmic activity, whereas at higher concentrations, CCK suppresses this activity. Some of these findings have been presented in abstract form (Cox et al., 1995b).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

General procedures were similar to those described previously (Cox et al., 1995a). Briefly, young Sprague Dawly rats (9–21 d) were deeply anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (55 mg/kg) and decapitated. The brains were quickly removed and placed into cold, oxygenated slicing medium (∼4°C). The slicing medium contained (in mm): 2.5 KCl, 1.25 NaH2PO4, 10.0 MgCl2, 0.5 CaCl2, 26.0 NaHCO3, 11.0 glucose, and 234.0 sucrose. Tissue slices (300–450 μm) were cut in the horizontal plane using a vibratome (Ted Pella, Inc., St. Louis, MO), transferred to a holding chamber, and incubated (30°C) for at least 2 hr before recording. Individual slices were then transferred to a recording chamber and allowed to equilibrate for at least 30 min before recording. Slices were minimally submerged and continuously superfused with oxygenated physiological saline at the rate of 1.3 ml/min in the chamber used for extracellular and “blind” whole cell recordings (Blanton et al., 1989), or 4.0 ml/min in the chamber used for “visualized slice” recordings. The majority of recordings were done at a temperature of 34 ± 1°C, although, as noted in Results, some recordings in the visualized slice apparatus were at room temperature (23°C). The physiological solution used in the intracellular experiments contained (in mm): 126.0 NaCl, 2.5 KCl, 1.25 NaH2PO4, 2.0 MgCl2, 2.0 CaCl2, 26.0 NaHCO3, and 10.0 glucose. These solutions were gassed with 95% O2/5% CO2 to a final pH of 7.4.

Recording procedure. Whole-cell recordings were obtained using either blind (Blanton et al., 1989) or visualized slice patch techniques (Edwards et al., 1989; Stuart et al., 1993). Recording pipettes were pulled from 1.5 mm outer diameter capillary tubing using a two-stage pipette puller (Narishige PP-83) and had tip resistances of 4–6 MΩ when filled with the intracellular solutions below. The intracellular solution used in the majority of recordings contained (in mm): 117 K-gluconate, 13 KCl, 1.0 MgCl2, 0.07 CaCl2, 0.1 EGTA, 10.0 HEPES, 2.0 Na2-ATP, and 0.4 Na-GTP. In some experiments, Cs-gluconate and CsCl were substituted for K-gluconate and KCl, respectively. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 7.3 using KOH or CsOH, and osmolality was adjusted to 280 mOsm with distilled water.

Techniques used for obtaining recordings with the blind patch configuration were similar to those described earlier (Cox et al., 1995a). For recordings obtained using the visualized slice preparation, individual slices were transferred to a submersion-type recording chamber on a modified microscope stage. A low-power objective (2.5×) was used to identify the various thalamic nuclei, and a high-power water immersion objective (40×) with Nomarski optics and infrared video was used to visualize individual neurons. The access resistance was typically 10–40 MΩ in the blind preparation and 5–15 MΩ in the visualized preparation.

An Axoclamp2A amplifier (Axon Instruments, Foster City, CA) was used in bridge mode for voltage recordings and discontinuous single-electrode voltage-clamp mode for current recordings. In current-clamp recordings, an active bridge circuit was adjusted to balance the drop in potential produced by passing current through the recording electrode. In voltage-clamp recordings, switching frequencies ranged from 2.5 to 4 kHz with a gain of 150–800 pA/mV, and the headstage was monitored continually to ensure that the current transient had completely decayed before voltage measurements. Voltage-clamp recordings were limited to neurons that had a stable access resistance of <25 MΩ. Current and voltage protocols were generated using PCLAMP software (Axon Instruments), and data were stored on an IBM PC-compatible computer and magnetic tape (Neurodata).

Extracellular multiple-unit activities were recorded using monopolar tungsten electrodes (0.2–2 MΩ; Frederick Haer, Brunswick, ME) and a Grass amplifier (bandwidth, 0.3–10 kHz). All data were digitized (1–2 kHz) and stored using Axotape software (Axon Instruments). Monopolar or bipolar extracellular stimuli were delivered through sharpened tungsten electrodes.

Drugs. Concentrated stock solutions of CCK8S (1.0 mm) were prepared in 0.1 mNH4HCO3 and diluted in physiological saline to a final concentration of 0.01–10 μm. CCK8S was bath-applied in the majority of experiments. In some blind slice experiments, CCK8S was applied by injecting a bolus into the flow line of the chamber over 10–15 sec using a motorized pump. In these instances, based on the rate of CCK8S injection and the rate of chamber perfusion, the final bath concentration of CCK was estimated to be about one-fourth of the concentration introduced in the flow line (Cox et al., 1995a).

Concentrated stock solutions of antagonists were diluted to a final concentration in physiological solution and applied by bath. CCK8S was purchased from Peninsula Laboratories (Belmont, CA), CNQX from Tocris Cookson (St. Louis, MO), and AP-5 from RBI (Natick, MA). CGP-35348 was a gift from CIBA-Geigy (Basel, Switzerland), and R(−)-3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (d-CPPene) from Sandoz (Berne, Switzerland). All remaining compounds were purchased from Sigma (St. Louis, MO).

Analysis of intrathalamic oscillations. To quantify the degree of synchrony and the duration of the intrathalamic oscillations, autocorrelograms were constructed from the extracelluar multiple-unit data. A software Schmidt trigger was used to detect events, and the autocorrelograms were calculated over a period of 4–8 sec with a bin size of 8–10 ms. Autocorrelograms typically consisted of peaks of correlated phasic activity superimposed on random unit activity, as suggested by the nonzero counts in the interpeak valleys (Fig.1A). We divided the functions into two components: the phasic oscillatory peaks (Fig. 1Bi) and the nonphasic random component that represented random unit activity (Fig. 1Bii). The random component was typically fit by a single exponential and could be subtracted from the overall auto correlogram. The oscillatory activity in the autocorrelograms was quantified by four measures: number of peaks; time constant of oscillation decay (τosc); oscillation amplitude (Amposc); and the period of oscillation. The τosc was fitted by single exponential function and served as an indication of the duration of the oscillatory activity. This is a measure of the ability of the nRt-VB slice to self-sustain rhythmic discharges. The number of autocorrelogram peaks was used as a secondary measure of oscillation duration. The oscillation period reflects the principle frequency of the activity. Amposc represents the peak phasic activity and synchrony after subtraction of the random nonphasic component. Alterations in Amposc suggest a change in the number of units participating in the phasic activity. The enhanced Amposc in the extracellular records was presumably a result of recruitment of additional neuronal units into phasic activity (see Fig. 9), and perhaps an increase in synchrony of cell discharge. Amposc and τosc were calculated only when the overall oscillation consisted of >2 cycles. In those slices in which CCK completely suppressed the rhythmic activity, only the number of peaks was quantified.

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.

Components of autocorrelograms. Schematic of representative autocorrelogram constructed from extracellular multiple-unit data. The plot consists of distinct peaks with nonzero valleys. The phasic synchronous oscillatory activity (Bi) was separated from the nonzero valleys, which represent nonphasic activity (Bii). The area under the valleys represents residual nonsynchronous discharge activity (Bii), and the decay of this activity (τran) is fit by a single exponential. The decay of the oscillation (τosc) is calculated by a single-exponential fit of the oscillatory peaks (Bi, dashed line). The oscillation amplitude (Amposc ) corresponds to the height of the central peak of the autocorrelogram.

Fig. 9.
Fig. 9.

CCK increases probability of burst discharge to subthreshold stimulation. A, Pre-drug, Extracelluar IC stimulation evokes a subthreshold EPSP in a nRt neuron.CCK, early, During the initial depolarization produced at the onset of CCK8S application (3 μm, 10 sec bolus), IC stimuli evoked burst discharge (truncated spikes). At the peak of the CCK depolarization (15 mV), the stimuli evoked single spike discharge (peak). After manual repolarization of the membrane potential to resting levels, the same stimuli that produced subthreshold responses in the control period (Pre-drug) evoked burst discharge (Vmatch ).Dashed line, Vm = −69 mV.Bi, In a different nRt neuron, extracellular stimulation evoked subthreshold EPSPs in ∼50% of trials (Pre-drug; three consecutive responses). After wash-in of 10 nm CCK8S, which produced a 2 mV peak depolarization, the same stimuli evoked burst discharges [CCK (10 nm)]. The synaptic response returned to baseline condition after washout of CCK (Wash). Dashed line, Vm = −68 mV.Bii, This plot illustrates the time course of the CCK-induced alteration of the subthreshold responses of the experiment in Bi. Bath application of CCK (10 nm) occurred during the solid bar. Before CCK, extracellular stimulation evoked either EPSPs (sub) or EPSPs that led to burst discharge (supra) in nearly equal proportions. In CCK, all evoked responses were suprathreshold and returned toward baseline levels after several minutes of washout.

RESULTS

Intrathalamic oscillations

As shown previously, the reciprocal synaptic connectivity between nRt and VB is preserved in the in vitro thalamic preparation and supports intrathalamic rhythmic activities (Huguenard and Prince, 1994; Warren et al., 1994). Electrical stimulation of internal capsule (IC) or nRt (Fig. 2A) produced 2–15 regularly reoccurring excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) that had an average frequency of 3.1 ± 0.6 Hz (n = 12; e.g., Fig. 2B, nRt). These EPSPs could lead to bursts of Na+-dependent action potentials in nRt neurons (Fig. 2B, *). The complementary oscillatory activity in VB consisted of rhythmic IPSPs (Fig. 2B) that could lead to rebound burst discharge after membrane repolarization (2B, ▾). A similar oscillatory activity that averaged 2.7 ± 0.3 Hz (n = 12 slices) could also be detected in extracellular multiple-unit recordings (e.g., Fig. 2C); these recordings were used to monitor rhythmic activities in large neuronal populations.

Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.

Intrathalamic oscillations recorded in nRt and VB.A, Schematic of intrathalamic circuit in thalamic slice preparation. nRt provides inhibitory innervation of VB that in turn forms excitatory synapses on nRt cells. Monopolar stimuli were delivered to either nRt (SnRt ) or internal capsule (SIC ). Ctx, Cortex.B, Intracellular current-clamp recordings from nRt and VB neurons illustrating the rhythmic synaptic activity evoked by single extracellular stimuli (S). nRt, Responses in an nRt cell consist of rhythmic EPSPs (3.8 Hz) that can lead to burst discharge (asterisks). VB, Similar stimuli evoke rhythmic IPSPs (2.9 Hz) in a VB neuron (bottom trace). The top trace corresponds to a recording from a different VB neuron and illustrates that a burst discharge (▾) can occur during membrane repolarization after the IPSPs. The 20 mV calibration refers to the top trace, and the 10 mV calibration to the bottom trace. These recordings were made in standard physiological solution with no addition of BMI. The K+-containing intracellular solution was used in these recordings, as well as those illustrated in Figures 7, 8, 9.Vm, −64 and −58 mV for nRt and VB neuron, respectively. C, Simultaneous extracellular recordings from nRt and VB reveal rhythmic multiple-unit discharge (3.4 Hz) in response to extracellular IC stimulation (S). The extracellular solution for these recordings contained 0.2 mm Mg2+ and 10 μm BMI.

In most slices used for extracellular recordings, the oscillatory response evoked in normal physiological solution lasted 1–2 cycles but was quite variable between slices. Likely factors in slice-to-slice variations in rhythmic activity were differences in the extent of functional connectivity between nRt and VB and in the mean resting potentials of the neurons. The strength and duration of the rhythmic activities could be increased by the addition of the GABAA-receptor antagonist bicuculline methiodide (BMI,Huguenard and Prince, 1994) and by reducing extracellular Mg2+ concentrations. In all extracellular experiments, we used a modified physiological solution containing 0.2 mmMg2+ and 1 μm BMI (as noted in figure legends) to enhance the network oscillation and reduce the variability between slices. Under these conditions, oscillations lasting 1–4 sec could be evoked regularly in most slices. In a few experiments, higher BMI concentrations (2 or 10 μm) were necessary to achieve similar duration oscillations. Once these modifications in the perfusate were made, the stimuli-evoked oscillations were remarkably stable in a given slice or neuron (e.g., see Figs. 4ii,5ii, Pre-drug), thus providing a stationary baseline before CCK application. These manipulations in the perfusate did not alter the basic configuration of the 2–5 Hz rhythm, suggesting that essential synaptic and intrinsic oscillatory mechanisms were still effective. It is important to note that intracellular recordings of rhythmic EPSPs indicated that the 2–5 Hz oscillations occurred either in normal physiological solution (n = 8; e.g., Fig.7B) or in the presence of BMI (n = 3; e.g., Fig. 7A).

Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.

Low CCK concentrations either suppress or facilitate intrathalamic rhythms. A,Suppression. i, Extracellular multiple-unit recordings in nRt in control solution (Pre-drug), during 20 nm CCK8S application, and after washout of the peptide. Stimulation of nRt (0.05 Hz) in control solution containing 0.2 mm Mg2+ and 10 μm BMI evokes three cycles of rhythmic discharge (2.2 Hz). Addition of 20 nm CCK attenuates the phasic response and increases background discharge and the duration of the initial response [CCK (20 nm)]. After washout of the peptide, the phasic response returns (Wash). Aii, Contour plot of same experiment. The ordinate represents the time course throughout the experiment (i.e., Pre-drug,CCK, Wash). The abscissa reflects the ratemeter output; darker levels correspond to higher firing frequencies. The phasic activity evoked by nRt stimulation (S) lasts for three cycles in the control condition (open bar, left). In the presence of CCK8S (solid bar), there is increased spike discharge that continues throughout the sampled period and a reduction in the distinct phasic cycles. During washout of the peptide (gray bar), the phasic activity returns toward baseline levels. The contour interval for this plot was 10 spikes. Note the decrease in phasic activity and increased discharge rate during CCK application.Aiii, Autocorrelograms of same experiment illustrating the overall increase in activity but loss of synchronized discharge in CCK (thick line). The overall increased amplitude and lack of distinguishable peaks is indicative of a nonphasic increase in spike discharge. B, Facilitation.i, In a different slice, stimulation of nRt evoked a phasic rhythmic discharge (2.8 Hz) in nRt lasting many seconds (Pre-drug). In this experiment, the extracellular perfusate contained 1 μm BMI and 0.2 mmMg2+. CCK (50 nm), The duration of the rhythmic activity doubled and returned to baseline conditions after washout of CCK (Wash). Bii, Contour plot of the same experiment. This plot was constructed similar toAii. Note the phasic activity evoked by the stimulus. During CCK application, the number of cycles significantly increased and returned to near baseline on washout. Biii, Autocorrelogram of the same experiment illustrates the synchronicity of the rhythmic activity. CCK (thick line) increased the amplitude as well as the number of peaks, indicative of the enhanced rhythmic activity.

Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.

High CCK concentrations suppress intrathalamic rhythms. Ai, Bi, Stimulation of nRt evokes rhythmic discharge (2.5 Hz) in both nRt (Ai) and VB (Bi). In CCK (400 nm), the rhythmic discharge in suppressed in both structures. In addition, there is an increased baseline discharge in nRt, consistent with a prolonged suprathreshold depolarization produced by the high concentration of CCK. The extracellular solution contained 10 μm BMI and 0.2 mm Mg2+. Aii,Bii, Contour plots illustrating the time course of the CCK effect in nRt (Aii) and VB (Bii). Four cycles are evoked in the pre-drug and wash periods. During CCK perfusion, continuous discharge occurs in nRt and a decrease in the number of cycles in VB. The contour interval for both plots was 20 spikes. See legend to Figure 4B for further details of plot. Aiii, Biii, Autocorrelograms of unit activity in nRt (Aiii) and VB (Biii) in control conditions (thin line) and during application of 400 nm CCK8S (thick line). Although the period of the remaining weak rhythmic activity (2 peaks) in this slice was slightly increased in CCK, there was not a significant change in the period for the population of slices (see Fig. 6Bii).

Fig. 7.
Fig. 7.

Pro- and antioscillatory actions of CCK8S on rhythmic EPSPs in nRt neurons. A, Intracellular recordings from an nRt neuron in which IC stimulation evokes rhythmic EPSPs (Pre-drug) that can lead to burst discharge (truncated spikes). The extracellular solution contained standard [Mg2+] (2 mm) and 10 μm BMI. After manual repolarization of the membrane potential during the peak of a CCK8S (25 nm, bath-applied)-induced depolarization (5 mV), the same stimulus evokes an increased number of rhythmic EPSPs [CCK (Vmatch)]. The enhanced rhythmic EPSPs persisted during washout of the peptide even as the membrane potential returned to within 2 mV of the control membrane potential (Post CCK). After complete washout of the peptide (5 min), the evoked response returned to baseline conditions (Wash).Vm (dashed line) = −64 mV.B, Pre-drug, Stimulation of internal capsule evokes rhythmic EPSPs that persist for 6 cycles in another nRt neuron. This recording was made in standard physiological solution with no addition of BMI. During depolarization (10 mV) induced by CCK8S (500 nm; 15 sec bolus into input line; see Materials and Methods), the membrane potential is manually returned to baseline level and subsequent stimuli evoke a shorter lasting rhythmic response [CCK (Vmatch)]. The rhythmic activity was still suppressed when the membrane potential was within 2 mV of control levels during washout of the peptide (Post CCK). After 4 min washout of the peptide, the synaptic response returns near pre-drug levels (Wash).Vm (dashed line) = −63 mV.

Low BMI concentrations (1–10 μm) enhanced the 2–5 Hz network oscillation (Figs. 2C,3A; Huguenard and Prince, 1994). Within individual slices, the concentration of BMI was correlated positively with the duration and synchronicity of the oscillations. As illustrated in Figure 3A, the oscillation duration and number of participating units in each cycle increased in higher BMI concentrations. Autocorrellograms were used to quantify the synchronicity and periodicity of the oscillatory activity (see Materials and Methods). In 10 μm BMI (Fig. 3B,gray line), the number of peaks and peak amplitudes was greater than observed in 2 μm (Fig. 3B,black line), and the period was increased from 322 to 389 ms but remained in the 2–5 Hz range. Furthermore, Amposc and τosc were increased by 160% and 30%, respectively, in 10 μm BMI. The rhythm was completely abolished by the GABAB antagonist CGP-35348 (Fig. 3A, 400 μm; n = 3), indicating the essential role of GABAB-mediated synaptic responses in the network activity. This is illustrated clearly in the autocorrelogram by the nearly complete suppression of peaks (Fig. 3B, thick lines).

Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.

Duration and synchronicity of intrathalamic oscillations are increased by GABAA antagonists and suppressed by GABAB antagonists. A, Simultaneous extracellular recordings of oscillatory activity in response to single extracellular stimulus in nRt (•). In 2 μm BMI, the evoked rhythmic discharge lasts 7–8 sec in nRt and ∼5 sec in VB. With increased BMI concentration of 10 μm, the oscillation duration and number of units within each cycle are increased in both nuclei. Addition of the GABAB antagonist CGP 35348 (400 μm) blocks the rhythmic activity. B, Autocorrelograms constructed from five consecutive episodes in each experimental group above. Note the increased numbers and amplitudes of peaks in the higher BMI concentration [compare thin black (2 μm) and gray (10 μm) lines]. In CGP 35348 (thick line), the peaks are nearly completely suppressed.

CCK modulates intrathalamic oscillations

In 6 of 14 experiments, low CCK concentrations (20–50 nm) suppressed the rhythmic activity (Fig.4A). Typically, the baseline spike frequency was increased in nRt during CCK application, and subsequent stimulation evoked a robust discharge that lacked the phasic pattern observed in control conditions (Fig. 4Ai). Contour plots (Fig. 4Aii,Bii) illustrate the stability of the control response and the persistence and reversibility of the CCK-mediated effects. In this slice, three cycles of oscillation were obtained consistently. CCK (20 nm) reversibly increased spontaneous firing and suppressed the rhythmic discharge. The autocorrelograms of Figure 4Aiiiillustrate the CCK-induced decrease in oscillatory activity that was associated with complete suppression of distinct peaks and an overall increase in spike counts, effects consistent with increased nonphasic spike discharge.

It was surprising that in the remaining experiments (8 of 14), CCK increased the duration of the rhythmic activity without altering the baseline discharge rate (Fig. 4Bi). The reversible increase in the duration of the oscillations is illustrated in the ratemeter output in Figure 4Bii (note different time bases in Figs. 4Ai,Bi). In this slice, the oscillation increased from 10 cycles lasting approximately 3 sec to 18 cycles lasting >6 sec, an 80% increase in oscillatory activity (Fig. 4B). The autocorrelograms of Figure4Biii indicate the increased number and amplitude of peaks without alteration in the periodicity of the rhythm, suggesting an increase in the number of neurons participating in the phasic oscillatory activity.

In contrast to the anti- and pro-oscillatory actions observed in low CCK concentrations, the oscillatory activity was suppressed in nearly all experiments (11 of 12) when higher CCK concentrations were used (100–400 nm; Fig. 5). This effect was accompanied by an increase in baseline discharge in nRt (Fig.5Ai; compare Pre-drug vs CCK) but not in VB (Fig. 5Bi), consistent with a selective CCK-induced depolarization of nRt neurons (Cox et al., 1995a). Note that although CCK increased the overall spike output of nRt neurons, the rhythmic discharge in VB was suppressed, suggesting that phasic nRt output is critical for maintenance of the rhythmic activity. The ratemeter plots of Figure 5, Aii and Bii, illustrate the magnitude and reversibility of the CCK-induced suppression of oscillatory activity. It was of interest that in four slices in which the overall CCK action was suppression of oscillations, there was a transient facilitation in the number of peaks of the oscillatory activity soon after the onset of CCK application or during washout of the peptide. The autocorrelograms of nRt activity in Figure5Aiii show the complete suppression of distinct peaks during CCK perfusion and a robust increase in nonphasic unit discharge. In VB, both the number and amplitude of peaks were decreased in CCK with little effect on the nonphasic activity (Fig. 5Biii).

Data from a number of experiments are summarized in Figure6A, which clearly illustrates the concentration-dependent biphasic effects of CCK on the oscillatory activity. Changes in the number of peaks and Amposcmeasurements obtained from the contour plots and autocorrelograms (see Materials and Methods) served as criteria for the overall action of CCK. The rhythmic activity was considered facilitated if both measures increased during CCK application (e.g., Fig. 4B), whereas reduction in both of these measures indicated a CCK-induced suppression (e.g., Figs. 4A, 5). At low concentrations (20–50 nm), CCK was equally likely to produce facilitation or suppression. However, with increasing CCK concentrations (100 nm), suppression of the rhythmic activities became the predominant effect. At the highest CCK concentration tested (400 nm), the intrathalamic oscillations were suppressed in all slices tested. There was no correlation between the overall CCK action on the oscillation (i.e., facilitation vs suppression) and the BMI concentration used to enhance the baseline oscillations. The characteristics calculated from the autocorrelograms (number of peaks, Amposc, τosc, and period; see Materials and Methods) are summarized in Figure 6B. Each of these different measures was generally consistent with the overall effect of CCK and reached statistical significance in many instances (p < 0.05; ttest).

Fig. 6.
Fig. 6.

Summary of CCK actions on extracellularly recorded intrathalamic oscillations. A, Concentration dependence of CCK actions on thalamic rhythmic activity. The overall action of CCK (i.e., Facilitation, Suppression,No change) was determined by alterations of the number of peaks and Amposc. Mixed effects (i.e., facilitation and suppression) were observed at lower CCK concentrations (20 and 50 nm); however, with increasing CCK concentrations (100 and 400 nm), suppression became the predominant effect. Thenumbers in parentheses above each concentration indicate the number of experiments in each condition.B, Summary of effects of CCK on number of peaks (▨;# peaks), oscillation amplitude (▥;Amposc ), decay of oscillation (▧; τosc), and period of oscillation (▤;period) calculated from the autocorrelograms (see Materials and Methods for details). The values have been sorted by the overall effect and grouped by concentration. The histograms inBi consist of only slices in which CCK produced a facilitation of the rhythmic activity, and have been grouped into <100 nm (20 and 50 nm) and ≥100 nm CCK (100 and 400 nm). Note the consistent increase in # peaks, Amposc, and τosc, but no change in the period. Bii, Summary of the characteristics of the oscillatory activity for slices in which the rhythmic activity was suppressed by CCK. Note that # peaks, Amposc, and τosc are decreased by CCK, but the period remains unaltered. The ordinate is the ratio of CCK/pre-drug. *p < 0.05.

In the next series of experiments, we tested the action of CCK on the rhythmic EPSPs observed from whole-cell recordings of nRt neurons. In many of these experiments, IC stimulation evoked rhythmic EPSPs in nRt neurons in standard physiological solution without the addition of BMI (e.g., Fig. 7B). As expected from extracellular recordings, low CCK concentrations (10–25 nm) increased the number of rhythmic EPSPs in three of five neurons (Fig. 7A), an effect accompanied by a small membrane depolarization (range 4–10 mV). The increased number of rhythmically occurring EPSPs was independent of CCK-induced depolarization of the individual neuron because it persisted after manual repolarization of the membrane potential during the peak of the CCK action [Fig.7A, CCK (Vmatch)], and during early washout of the peptide, when the membrane potential had returned to within 2 mV of the resting level (Fig. 7A, Post CCK). The finding that altering membrane potential of individual neurons did not influence the occurrence of the repetitive EPSPs suggests that the modification of the rhythmic activity is a result of a network effect. The rhythmic activity recovered to baseline conditions with further washout of the peptide (Fig. 7A,Wash). In three neurons, in which CCK produced suppression of the rhythms at the peak CCK depolarization, there was a transient facilitation of the rhythms during the washout of the peptide, similar to that observed in the extracellular recordings.

High CCK concentrations (100–1000 nm) reversibly suppressed the rhythmic EPSPs (Fig. 7B; n = 12), and also produced a substantially larger membrane depolarization (range, 8–19 mV). As with the lower CCK concentrations, reduction of the rhythmic activity in individual neurons was independent of membrane depolarization because it persisted after manual return of the membrane potential to resting level [Fig. 7B, CCK (Vmatch)], and after the membrane potential returned to within 2 mV of the resting membrane potential after washout of the peptide (Fig. 7B, Post CCK). Rhythmic EPSPs recovered to baseline levels after longer CCK wash (Fig.7B, Wash).

CCK modifies discharge mode of nRt neurons

The generation and persistence of intrathalamic oscillations is dependent on the firing mode of nRt and relay thalamic neurons, which is in turn closely related to the membrane potential (Jahnsen and Llinás, 1984; Steriade and Deschênes, 1984; Steriade and Llinás, 1988; von Krosigk et al., 1993). Because the results described above indicated that CCK produces a concentration dependent effect on the rhythmic activity, we examined the action of CCK on membrane potential (Vm) and the discharge mode of nRt neurons in more detail in 15 neurons. At rest, nRt neurons were typically in a burst firing mode, such that either IC stimulation (·) or intracellular injection of depolarizing current evoked burst discharge (Fig. 8A). At the peak of the CCK-induced depolarization, both synaptic stimulation and the depolarizing current pulses evoked single spikes or tonic discharges (Fig. 8B, peak). Conversion of the firing mode from burst- to single-spike discharge was dependent on the magnitude of the depolarization because repolarization of the membrane potential to resting levels during the CCK-induced depolarization restored the neurons to bursting mode (Fig. 8B,Vmatch ). After washout of the peptide, the neurons returned to burst firing mode (Fig. 8C). High CCK concentrations (>100 nm) that produced relatively large depolarizations (range, 8–27 mV) altered the firing mode in all cells tested (n = 11). Lower CCK concentrations (10–25 nm) produced smaller depolarizations (n = 8; range, 3–22 mV). Changes in firing mode were observed only in those cases in which CCK induced a strong depolarization (>14 mV;n = 2). These data suggest that CCK, like other substances that directly depolarize thalamic neurons (e.g., NE and 5-HT; McCormick and Prince, 1988; McCormick and Wang, 1991), can alter the firing mode of the neurons though depolarization of the membrane potential.

Fig. 8.
Fig. 8.

CCK alters the firing mode of nRt neurons.A, Pre-drug, At resting membrane potential, either internal capsule stimuli (·) or intracellular depolarizing current pulses (200 pA, 100 msec) evoke burst discharge from an nRt neuron. B, CCK, During peak of the depolarization induced by application of 400 nmCCK8S, same stimuli as in A evoked single spike discharge from the neuron (peak). Repolarization of the membrane potential to resting levels restored the burst firing mode (Vmatch ). C, After washout of CCK8S, Vm returned to close to baseline level (dashed line) and both stimuli evoked burst discharge. Vm (dashed line) = −73 mV.

We have shown previously that CCK reduces aKleak conductance in nRt neurons, resulting in a robust membrane depolarization associated with an increased input resistance (Cox et al., 1995a). The time course of the increased input resistance was generally equal to or longer than the membrane depolarization, and thus could lead to an enhanced excitability that may be independent of the depolarization. Consistent with this, we found that CCK could modify the responses of nRt neurons to subthreshold orthodromic stimulation with little alteration of membrane potential. As illustrated in Figure 9A, subthreshold EPSPs evoked by IC stimulation (Pre-drug) could evoke burst discharge during initial wash-in of a high CCK concentration (Fig. 9A: early), even though there was little change in the membrane potential (<2 mV). At the peak CCK-induced depolarization, the firing mode of nRt neurons was altered from burst- to single-spike (Fig. 9A, peak). After manual repolarization of the membrane potential during the peak CCK-induced depolarization, subsequent stimuli evoked burst discharge (Fig. 9A, Vmatch ). Thus, there was an enhancement of the subthreshold response observed in the pre-CCK condition that did not appear to be dependent onVm (Fig. 9A: comparePre-drug and Vmatch ).

This response enhancement was explored further by testing the effect of low CCK concentrations (10 nm) on subthreshold EPSPs in seven nRt neurons. This concentration of CCK produced a small membrane depolarization (range, 2–8 mV) but increased the probability of suprathreshold spike discharges. As illustrated in Figure9Bi (Pre-drug) and Bii, repeated stimuli (0.1 Hz) evoked a suprathreshold response in approximately 50% of trials. During CCK application, the stimuli evoked burst discharge in 100% of trials [Fig. 9Bi, CCK (10 nm)], and after several minutes of washout, the proportion of evoked subthreshold responses reverted to pre-CCK levels. The time course of the CCK-induced action on the subthreshold EPSP is illustrated in Figure 9Bii. These findings suggest that low CCK concentrations may increase the number of nRt neurons bursting and participating in the oscillatory activity, and thus increase the strength and duration of the evoked rhythmic activity, as illustrated by the extracellular data of Figure 4.

CCK reduces inhibitory input to VB neurons

Conversion of the firing mode of nRt neurons from bursts to single spikes by CCK would be expected to decrease the inhibitory output of nRt neurons onto VB neurons. In the next series of experiments, we directly assessed evoked IPSCs in VB neurons as a measure of nRt output. Extracellular stimulation of nRt evoked a multipeaked IPSC in VB neurons (Figs.10Ai,Aii). In most of these recordings, we substituted Cs+ for K+ in the intracellular solution and used a holding voltage near 0 mV to increase the driving force on the IPSCs. Similar findings were observed with K+-containing electrodes (Vhold= −40mV), although the multiple peaks of the IPSCs were not as distinct as in recordings with Cs+-containing electrodes. The interpeak intervals of the multipeaked IPSCs (2.2–10.0 ms;n = 100 intervals from 5 cells) roughly approximated the interspike interval of burst discharge in nRt neurons (2.3–9.5 ms;n = 100 intervals from 5 cells; compare Fig. 8, nRt bursts, and Fig. 10A, VB multipeaked IPSCs). In this first series of experiments, we determined whether the multipeak configuration in VB was due to burst firing of the nRt neurons at the somatic level or resulted from nonsynchronous transmitter release from multiple sites. We dissected nRt from the thalamic slice and stimulated the lateral edge of VB. Because nRt serves as the primary inhibitory innervation in rodent VB (Houser et al., 1980), the isolated VB was devoid of inhibitory neurons but still contained GABAergic fibers. Under these conditions, each stimulus should evoke a single volley in the cut nRt axons. Stimuli evoked single-peaked IPSCs (Figs.10Bi,Bii; n = 9), suggesting that nRt somata were required for the multipeaked IPSCs. Furthermore, in the intact slice, addition of ionotropic excitatory amino acid antagonists, CNQX (20 μm) and dCPPene (10 μm), reduced the multipeaked IPSC to a single peak (Fig.10Aiii), indicating that the extracellular stimuli is activating excitatory afferents in nRt. The addition of CNQX and dCPPene produced no change in the IPSCs recorded in the isolated VB (Fig. 10Biii). In summary, these findings suggest that activation of excitatory afferents onto nRt neurons produced burst discharge in these cells, and thus evoked multipeaked IPSCs in VB neurons.

Fig. 10.
Fig. 10.

IPSCs evoked in VB neurons by nRt stimulation.Ai, Aii, Voltage-clamp recordings from VB neurons (Vhold = 0 mV) in an intact thalamic slice reveal that extracellular stimulation of nRt evokes a multipeaked IPSC. These recordings, as well as those in Figure 11, were obtained using Cs+-containing intracellular solution. Consecutive responses in Ai and Aii show similar timing of peaks in each IPSC burst. Aiii, After bath perfusion of ionotropic excitatory amino acid antagonists CNQX (20 μm) and dCPPene (10 μm), the IPSC evoked by the same stimulus as in Ai and Aii is reduced to a single peak. Bi, Bii, In a different slice in which nRt has been removed, two consecutive stimuli to the lateral edge of VB evoke single peaked IPSCs.Biii, The synaptic response is unchanged in the presence of CNQX and dCPPene.

Because the multipeaked IPSCs in VB are reflective of the firing mode of the nRt neurons, and CCK was found to alter the firing mode of nRt neurons (Fig. 8), we tested several concentrations of CCK on the IPSCs. High CCK concentrations (>100 nm) altered the configuration of the IPSCs from multiple peaks to a single peak (Fig.11B) and significantly reduced the integrated areas of IPSCs by an average of 62.7 ± 20.3% (n = 15; paired t test, p < 0.05). Although lower CCK concentrations also significantly reduced IPSC areas (average 27.8 ± 16.3%; n = 3), the multipeak configuration of the IPSCs was unchanged, suggesting that the firing mode of only a subpopulation of neurons was altered (Fig.11A). The summarized data (Fig. 11C) indicate that CCK produced a significant dose-dependent suppression of the IPSC-integrated area.

Fig. 11.
Fig. 11.

CCK alters the multipeaked configuration of IPSCs in VB neurons. A, Pre-drug, In the intact thalamic slice, extracellular stimulation of nRt evokes a multipeaked IPSC in a VB neuron (Vhold = 0 mV). Each pair of responses illustrated is evoked by consecutive stimuli to illustrate the consistency of the configuration of the multiple peaks of the IPSC. CCK (25 nm), During application of CCK8S, the multipeaked configuration of the IPSC is unchanged, although the total charge of the IPSC (Integrated area) is reversibly attenuated by CCK8S. B,Pre-drug, In a different VB neuron, nRt stimulation evoked a multipeaked IPSC. CCK (400 nm), When the slice is exposed to 400 nm CCK, a concentration that suppresses oscillatory activity, the IPSC is reduced to a single peak.C, Summary of the effect of various CCK concentrations on mean charge of IPSCs. The ordinate is the ratio of mean integrated areas of IPSCs in CCK/control (Pre-drug). The effects of CCK and wash were calculated as ratios relative to pre-drug values. Data are plotted as mean ± SD (*p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

Our findings indicate that the neuropeptide CCK has a strong influence on intrathalamic rhythmic activities. Neuropeptides have been shown to produce lasting alterations in neuronal network functions in various invertebrate and vertebrate preparations, which may be associated with behavioral modifications (for review, seeHarris-Warrick and Marder, 1991; Kupfermann, 1991). Because intrathalamic oscillations are associated with alterations in behavioral states and some pathophysiological conditions, we speculate that neuromodulators such as CCK may play an important role in the modulation of these functional activities.

The effects of CCK on intrathalamic oscillations are concentration dependent. Low concentrations of CCK suppressed rhythmic interactions between nRt and VB in 43% of experiments, whereas rhythmic activities were facilitated in the remaining. We speculate that application of lower concentrations of exogenous CCK may more closely approximate the level of modulation that occurs in vivo during thalamocortical circuit activities. With increasing CCK concentrations, suppression of rhythmic activity became the dominant action. Our working hypothesis is that the predominant suppression of rhythmic activity at higher CCK concentrations results from a strong depolarization of nRt neurons, which alters their firing mode from a resting burst- to single-spike discharge mode. This explanation is supported by direct recordings of the effects of CCK on nRt neurons and the resulting change of inhibitory output onto VB cells. Bath-applied CCK induces a concentration-dependent, long-lasting depolarization of nRt neurons by suppressing a K+ leak conductance, without altering the membrane potential or input resistance of VB neurons (Cox et al., 1995a). Intracellular recordings of the rhythmic activity in nRt neurons indicate that suppression of this activity was associated with a larger CCK-induced depolarization than that observed in other nRt cells, the rhythmic activity of which was facilitated. High CCK concentrations, which produced robust membrane depolarizations, clearly altered the spike discharge characteristics of the nRt neurons from burst- to single-spike firing mode (Fig. 8). Lower CCK concentrations that also produced relatively large depolarizations likewise altered the firing characteristics of these neurons. However, if CCK produced only a small membrane depolarization, the firing mode of the cell remained unchanged.

Because GABA-containing neurons of nRt provide the major source of inhibitory innervation of VB in rodents, a decrease in spike output of nRt neurons would reduce the inhibitory drive onto VB neurons. Intracellular recordings from VB neurons showed that nRt stimulation evoked multipeaked IPSCs, consistent with the burst output of the nRt cells. CCK, at concentrations that suppressed the rhythmic activity, changed the configuration of the IPSCs from multiple peaks to a single peak, a finding consistent with the CCK-induced alteration of nRt firing modes from burst to single spike. This decreased inhibitory current would reduce the probability of burst output from VB, and thus dampen the rhythmic activity.

The pro-oscillatory actions of CCK are more difficult to account for on the basis of a similar action of CCK. The increased strength and duration of the rhythmic activity likely occurs as a consequence of recruitment of additional nRt neurons that were subthreshold for burst generation before CCK exposure (Fig. 9B). CCK could have a biphasic action that is dependent on the resting membrane potential of the aggregate of nRt neurons. If portions of the latter were significantly hyperpolarized at rest, synaptic inputs might be subthreshold for evoking bursts of spikes, even though the low threshold Ca2+ current (IT) underlying the burst behavior might be fully deinactivated (Coulter et al., 1989; Huguenard and Prince, 1992). Under these conditions, small depolarizations produced by low concentrations of CCK could increase the population of nRt neurons engaged in burst behavior by allowing synaptically evoked LTSs to reach spike threshold, thus facilitating oscillatory activity in the circuit. However, the increased excitability of nRt neurons was observed even when CCK produced little obvious membrane depolarization (Fig. 9). The cellular mechanisms underlying this facilitation of oscillatory behavior are not clear. One possibility is that low concentrations of CCK induce increases of input resistance and membrane depolarization at sites that are electrotonically distant from the soma (Cox et al., 1995a) and undetectable with somatic recordings. Enhanced EPSPs might result, leading to more effective triggering of LTSs and bursts. Alternatively, enhanced EPSPs could occur by presynaptic actions of CCK, as suggested in other CNS regions (Delfs and Dichter, 1985; Migaud et al., 1994). Subtle effects on the properties of IT channels could also potently influence oscillatory activities in the network (Huguenard and Prince, 1994).

Functional significance of CCK effects on intrathalamic oscillations

The intimate reciprocal synaptic connectivity between nRt and the adjacent thalamic relay nucleus, together with the intrinsic properties of the involved neuronal populations, is the basis of intrathalamic rhythmic activities that have been associated with sleep spindles, slow-wave sleep, and the 3 Hz rhythms observed during absence epileptic seizures (Steriade and Llinás, 1988; Steriade et al., 1993; von Krosigk et al., 1993; Huguenard and Prince, 1994; Bal et al., 1995). Maintenance or disruption of these rhythmic activities is dependent on the firing mode of thalamic neurons.

Although the fundamental mechanisms underlying the maintenance of thalamic oscillatory activity have been studied extensively, the mechanisms underlying the initiation, cessation and modulation of this rhythmic activity, have received less attention. Our data indicate that CCK can either enhance or dampen intrathalamic rhythmic activity. Other neuromodulators, such as ACh, NE, and 5-HT, alter the firing mode of thalamic neurons by modifying the membrane potential of these neurons (McCormick and Prince, 1987; McCormick and Prince, 1988; McCormick and Wang, 1991). Similarly, the overall effect of CCK on a given nRt neuron depends on the initial membrane potential of the neuron and the strength of depolarization. Unlike other neuromodulators such as ACh and NE, CCK is contained within thalamocortical and corticothalamic neurons (Ingram et al., 1989; Burgunder and Young, 1990; Schiffmann and Vanderhaeghen, 1991), and thus may serve as an intrinsic modulator of thalamic circuits.

These two different sites of origin for CCK-containing afferents both send axon collaterals into nRt (Jones, 1985). On the basis of evidence suggesting that high-frequency spike discharges may be optimal for inducing peptide release at other sites (Bartfai et al., 1988), we speculate that the influence of CCK might normally be most prominent in nRt during periods of repetitive burst discharge of VB relay cells. Considering the long duration of CCK action (Cox et al., 1995a), release of the peptide during each cycle of the thalamic burst rhythm could induce a slow depolarization of nRt neurons such as has been observed in vivo (Steriade and Deschênes, 1984; Domich et al., 1986; Contreras and Steriade, 1996) and in vitro(Fig. 7). During thalamic spindle sequences in vivo, cat nRt neurons generate slow (0.1–0.2 Hz) depolarizations that may have a role in terminating rhythmic burst activity (Mulle et al., 1986). With increasing depolarization, the firing mode of nRt neurons would shift from burst to tonic firing, and thus dampen the rhythmic activity. It has been suggested that release of peptide (somatostatin from nRt cells, Mulle et al., 1986) could have a role in modifying such slow oscillations. A modulatory role for CCK in rat thalamus has also been suggested on the basis of the dense distribution of CCK binding sites in nRt (Pelaprat et al., 1987).

Release of CCK in nRt by corticothalamic neurons might have quite different consequences. A synchronous high-frequency discharge, such as occurs during focal cortical epileptiform events (Gutnick and Prince, 1974), could provide the necessary stimulus for CCK release, resulting in depolarization and onset of regular spiking or burst discharge of a group of nRt neurons in a localized sector of the nucleus, depending on their resting membrane potential and the intensity of corticothalamic activity. Because the axonal arborizations of a subgroup of nRt neurons project focally within VB and may possess a high density of axonal swellings (Pinault et al., 1995; Cox et al., 1996), strong depolarization of a few nRt neurons may release sufficient amounts of GABA to strongly hyperpolarize relay neurons, resulting in generation of rhythmic activity. Under the conditions of our experiments, burst discharge from a single nRt neuron can activate a sufficient number of VB neurons to reexcite the nRt cell and trigger burst discharge (C.L. Cox, J.R. Huguenard and D.A. Prince, unpublished observations). In the ferret, a single burst of an individual perigeniculate neuron can initiate a spindle wave but not the slow rhythmic activity (Kim et al., 1995). Knowledge of the degree of divergence and convergence of the connectivity between nRt and the relay nucleus, as well as the physiological strength of corticothalamic and intrathalamic synaptic inputs to each nucleus, are thus important for understanding the minimal cellular substrate required to initiate and generate these intrathalamic rhythms.

Footnotes

  • This research was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants NS06477 and NS07280 and the Morris and Pimley Research Funds.

    Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Charles L. Cox, Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Room M016, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305.

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Peptidergic Modulation of Intrathalamic Circuit Activity In Vitro: Actions of Cholecystokinin
Charles L. Cox, John R. Huguenard, David A. Prince
Journal of Neuroscience 1 January 1997, 17 (1) 70-82; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.17-01-00070.1997
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