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Variable properties in a single class of excitatory spinal synapse.

David Parker1

  • 1Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom. djp27@cam.ac.uk

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
|April 30, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Excitatory interneuron (EIN) synapses onto motor neurons show significant variability in their properties and plasticity. This intrinsic network variability may help regulate motor network output.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Synaptic Plasticity
  • Motor Control

Background:

  • Synaptic properties are generally considered specific to synapse type.
  • However, variations within individual synaptic populations suggest intrinsic network properties may play a role.
  • Understanding this variability is crucial for comprehending neural circuit function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the variability in properties and activity-dependent plasticity of excitatory interneuron (EIN) synapses onto motor neurons.
  • To determine the presynaptic mechanisms underlying this synaptic variability.
  • To explore the functional implications of this variability for locomotor network output.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of a large sample of monosynaptic connections from EINs to motor neurons in the lamprey spinal cord.

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  • Examination of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and their activity-dependent plasticity (facilitation and depression).
  • Quantal analysis to assess presynaptic parameters including release probability, number of release sites, and vesicle pool size.

    • Main Results:

    • EIN-evoked EPSPs exhibited considerable variability in amplitude and plasticity, even at convergent inputs onto single motor neurons.
    • Synaptic plasticity varied, with some connections showing facilitation (P2) and others depression (P1), related to initial EPSP amplitude.
    • Presynaptic analysis indicated that variability in EPSP amplitude and plasticity resulted from an interplay between release probability and the size of the readily releasable transmitter store.
    • Synapses ranged functionally from strong (evoking postsynaptic spikes) to weak (small, depressing EPSPs).

    Conclusions:

    • Significant functional variability exists in EIN synaptic properties within the lamprey spinal cord locomotor network.
    • This variability is an intrinsic network property, not due to inter-animal differences.
    • The diverse synaptic properties, influenced by presynaptic factors, offer an intrinsic mechanism for modulating excitatory network interactions and locomotor output.