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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
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In Vivo Visualization of Spontaneous Activity in Neonatal Mouse Sensory Cortex at a Single-Neuron Resolution
Published on: November 21, 2023
NMDA receptors pattern early activity in the developing barrel cortex in vivo
Marat Minlebaev1, Yehezkiel Ben-Ari, Roustem Khazipov
1The Mediterranean Institute of Neurobiology, Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale U901, Universite' Mediterreneen, Marseille, France.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|July 30, 2008
Summary
Early cortical activity in neonatal rats involves N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent delta waves during spindle bursts. This activity is crucial for forming thalamocortical synapses during development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Cortical Development
Background:
- N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are vital for activity-dependent plasticity in the developing cortex.
- The specific in vivo physiological patterns activating NMDA receptors during early cortical development are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiological patterns of cortical activity that activate NMDA receptors in vivo.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying early cortical network activity and its role in synaptic development.
Main Methods:
- Full-band recordings were performed in the barrel cortex of neonatal rats in vivo.
- Pharmacological analysis using NMDA and alpha-aminopropionate (AMPA) receptor antagonists was conducted.
- Analysis focused on identifying dominant activity patterns like spindle bursts and delta waves.
Main Results:
- Network-driven spindle bursts were identified as the dominant early activity pattern.
- These bursts were associated with large amplitude, NMDA receptor-dependent delta waves.
- Delta waves involved both NMDA and AMPA receptors, while fast oscillations primarily involved AMPA receptors.
Conclusions:
- Spindle bursts are generated by rhythmic thalamocortical input, driving AMPA receptor-mediated fast oscillations and NMDA/AMPA receptor-mediated delta waves.
- This activity provides a significant time window for coincident activation of cortical neurons, potentially facilitating thalamocortical synapse formation during critical developmental periods.
