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Prefrontal cortical up states are synchronized with ventral tegmental area activity
Yvette Peters1, Nicole E Barnhardt, Patricio O'Donnell
1Center for Neuropharmacology and Neuroscience, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York 12208, USA.
Synapse (New York, N.Y.)
|March 23, 2004
Summary
Ventral tegmental area (VTA) activity synchronizes prefrontal cortex (PFC) pyramidal neurons. Baseline VTA input is crucial for the emergence of slow electroencephalogram (EEG) oscillations in the PFC.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- The ventral tegmental area (VTA) innervates the prefrontal cortex (PFC), influencing motivation and cognition.
- The specific roles of dopamine (DA) and GABA from the VTA on PFC pyramidal neurons are not fully understood.
- Previous work suggested DA may sustain PFC neuronal depolarized up states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if spontaneous prefrontal cortex (PFC) up states depend on ventral tegmental area (VTA) activity.
- To elucidate the role of VTA baseline activity in synchronizing PFC pyramidal neurons.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous intracellular recordings of PFC neurons and VTA local field potentials (LFPs) in vivo.
- Simultaneous extracellular PFC recordings and VTA LFPs.
- Blockade of VTA activity using lidocaine.
Main Results:
- PFC membrane potential fluctuations were synchronous with VTA field potential transitions.
- High coherence was observed between PFC and VTA activity, with VTA oscillations slightly trailing PFC.
- VTA activity blockade transiently eliminated PFC LFPs and led to irregular PFC up states.
Conclusions:
- Baseline VTA activity is essential for synchronizing PFC pyramidal neurons into up-down oscillations.
- This synchronization by VTA input facilitates the emergence of slow electroencephalogram (EEG) components in the PFC.