Elsevier

Progress in Neurobiology

Volume 151, April 2017, Pages 237-253
Progress in Neurobiology

Review article
Monoaminergic control of brain states and sensory processing: Existing knowledge and recent insights obtained with optogenetics

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pneurobio.2016.09.003Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Highlights

  • Monoamines are key neuromodulators involved in a variety of physiological and pathological brain functions.

  • This review focuses on the role of monoamines in regulating brain states and sensory information processing with a particular emphasis on novel results obtained using optogenetic methods.

  • Neuronal correlates of brain state transitions and responses to sensory stimuli is presented.

  • The effects of (in)activating monoaminergic neurons on brain states and sensory coding is discussed.

Abstract

Monoamines are key neuromodulators involved in a variety of physiological and pathological brain functions. Classical studies using physiological and pharmacological tools have revealed several essential aspects of monoaminergic involvement in regulating the sleep-wake cycle and influencing sensory responses but many features have remained elusive due to technical limitations. The application of optogenetic tools led to the ability of monitoring and controlling neuronal populations with unprecedented temporal precision and neurochemical specificity. Here, we focus on recent advances in revealing the roles of some monoamines in brain state control and sensory information processing. We summarize the central position of monoamines in integrating sensory processing across sleep-wake states with an emphasis on research conducted using optogenetic techniques. Finally, we discuss the limitations and perspectives of new integrated experimental approaches in understanding the modulatory mechanisms of monoaminergic systems in the mammalian brain.

Abbreviations

5-HT
5-hydroxy tryptamine, serotonin
aPC
anterior piriform cortex
CCK
cholecystokinin
ChR2
channelrhodopsin
DPGi
dorsal paragigantocellular reticular nucleus
DRN
dorsal raphe nucleus
EEG
electroencephalogram
EPSC
excitatory post-synaptic current
EPSP
excitatory post-synaptic potential
GABA
gamma amino butyric acid
GPCR
G protein-coupled receptor
GRIN
gradient index
IPSC
inhibitory post-synaptic current
IPSP
inhibitory post-synaptic potential
ICAN
Ca2+ activated nonspecific cation current
Ih
hyperpolarization activated cyclic nucleotide gated nonspecific cation current
IKleak
leak K+ current
I(Nap)
persistent sodium current
ITwindow
T-type Ca2+ channel mediated window current
LC
locus coeruleus
LCNA
locus coeruleus noradrenergic
MnPN
median preoptic nucleus
MRN
median raphe nucleus
M/T
mitral/tufted (cell)
NA
noradrenaline
NREM
non- rapid eye movement (sleep)
OB
olfactory bulb
PFC
prefrontal cortex
PV
parvalbumin
REM
rapid eye movement (sleep)
SK channels
small conductance (K+) channels
SOM
somatostatin
TMN
tuberomamillary nucleus
TRN
thalamic reticular nucleus
VGAT
vesicular GABA transporter
VGLUT
vesicular glutamate transporter
VIP
vasoactive intestinal peptide
vlPAG
ventrolateral periaqueductal gray
VLPO
ventrolateral preoptic area
VMAT
vesicular monoamine transporter
VTA
ventral tegmental area
YFP
yellow fluorescent protein

Keywords

Serotonin
Noradrenaline
Histamine
Dopamine
Sensory coding
Brain states

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