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Large-scale oscillatory calcium waves in the immature cortex
O Garaschuk1, J Linn, J Eilers
1Institut für Physiologie, Technische Universität München, 80802 München, Germany.
Nature Neuroscience
|April 19, 2000
Summary
Spontaneous calcium (Ca2+) waves in newborn rat brains propagate slowly across cortical networks. This activity, crucial for early brain development, ceases with the maturation of GABAergic transmission.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Calcium Signaling
Background:
- Immature cortical networks exhibit spontaneous synchronized activity.
- Intracellular calcium (Ca2+) dynamics are critical for neuronal development and network formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics and regulation of large-scale intracellular Ca2+ oscillations in the developing rat cortex.
- To determine the role of specific neurotransmitter receptors in mediating these Ca2+ waves.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two-photon imaging to visualize Ca2+ dynamics in large neuronal networks.
- Recorded field potentials to correlate with Ca2+ wave activity.
- Administered receptor antagonists to assess the involvement of AMPA, NMDA, and GABAA receptors.
Main Results:
- Observed slow-propagating (2.1 mm/s) spontaneous Ca2+ waves originating in the posterior cortex.
- Ca2+ waves were linked to field-potential changes and dependent on AMPA and NMDA receptor activation.
- The developmental shift in GABAA receptor function (postnatal day 7) abolished Ca2+ wave activity.
Conclusions:
- Identified a novel type of large-scale Ca2+ wave in the immature cortex.
- These Ca2+ waves, regulated by excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, may play a role in establishing long-distance neuronal connections.