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Interaction Between HCN and Slack Channels Regulates mPFC Pyramidal Cell Excitability and Working Memory
Jing Wu1, Lynda El-Hassar1, Dibyadeep Datta1
1Yale University School of Medicine.
Research Square
|May 19, 2023
Summary
Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) regulate working memory. These HCN channels interact with Slack KNa channels, suppressing neuronal excitability and improving memory performance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Spatial working memory relies on persistent neuronal firing in the prefrontal cortex (PFC).
- Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels in PFC pyramidal cell dendritic spines modulate neuronal activity via cAMP signaling.
- cAMP activation of HCN channels paradoxically reduces, rather than increases, working memory-related neuronal firing in the PFC.
Conclusions:
- A novel HCN-Slack channel complex exists in PFC pyramidal neurons.
- Activation of HCN channels leads to neuronal hyperpolarization and suppressed excitability through the activation of Slack KNa channels.
- This HCN-Slack channel interaction is a key mechanism regulating working memory function in the PFC.
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