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Related Experiment Videos

Astrocytes modulate thalamic sensory processing via mGlu2 receptor activation.

C S Copeland1, T M Wall2, R E Sims3

  • 1Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK; St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, UK.

Neuropharmacology
|April 19, 2017
PubMed
Summary

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This summary is machine-generated.

Astrocytes modulate sensory inhibition in the rodent thalamus by activating mGlu2 receptors. This astrocyte-mediated disinhibition impacts thalamocortical circuits, influencing attention and cognition.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cellular Neuroscience
  • Synaptic Plasticity

Background:

  • Astrocytes share signaling molecules with neurons, but their role in information processing remains unclear.
  • Neuronal sensory inhibition in the thalamus is crucial for sensory gating and processing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of astrocytes in modulating neuronal sensory inhibition in the rodent thalamus.
  • To determine if astrocyte activation via mGlu2 receptors influences thalamocortical sensory processing.

Main Methods:

  • Electrophysiological recordings (mIPSC frequencies) in rodent thalamic slices.
  • Astrocytic intracellular calcium imaging.
  • In vivo electrophysiological recordings of neuronal responses to sensory stimulation.
Keywords:
AstrocyteMetabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 2Synaptic inhibitionThalamic reticular nucleusThalamus

Related Experiment Videos

  • Pharmacological manipulation using mGlu2 receptor agonists and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs), and glial inhibitors.

    • Main Results:

    • Group II mGlu receptor agonist LY354740 reduced inhibitory transmission in the ventrobasal thalamus (VB), an effect potentiated by mGlu2 PAM LY487379.
    • LY354740 and LY487379 increased astrocytic intracellular calcium levels, indicating mGlu2 receptor activation on astrocytes.
    • In vivo, LY354740 and LY487379 disinhibited VB neurons, an effect abolished by the glial inhibitor fluorocitrate, confirming astrocyte involvement.
    • The findings suggest mGlu2 receptors on astrocytes mediate the observed disinhibition.

    Conclusions:

    • Astrocytes actively modulate neuronal sensory inhibition in the thalamus via mGlu2 receptor signaling.
    • Astrocyte activation represents a novel mechanism for gating thalamocortical function.
    • This astrocyte-mediated synaptic plasticity is important for sensory processing, attention, and cognition.