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Dopaminergic Dependency of Cholinergic Pallidal Neurons
Janintzitzic López-Niño1, Montserrat Padilla-Orozco1, Aidán Ortega1
1División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico.
Neuroscience
|August 3, 2023
Summary
Cholinergic neurons in the external globus pallidus exhibit unique firing patterns and are modulated by dopamine D2 receptors. Dopamine receptor blockade alters their excitability via slow ion currents.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Electrophysiology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Cholinergic neurons in the external globus pallidus play a role in motor control.
- Their specific electrophysiological properties and neuromodulation are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the electrophysiological attributes of cholinergic neurons in the external globus pallidus.
- To investigate the role of dopamine signaling in modulating these neurons.
Main Methods:
- Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in ChAT-Cre mice.
- Characterization of resting membrane potential, input resistance, and membrane time constant.
- Dopamine receptor blockade to assess functional effects.
Main Results:
- Approximately 20% of neurons showed spontaneous firing, with characteristics of fast adaptation and tonic firing.
- Current-voltage relationships revealed time-independent inward rectification.
- Dopamine receptor blockade (primarily D2) induced hyperpolarization, decreased excitability, and altered firing patterns, suggesting modulation via slow ion currents.
Conclusions:
- External globus pallidus cholinergic neurons possess distinct electrophysiological properties.
- Dopamine signaling, particularly via D2 receptors, tonically modulates their excitability and firing patterns.
- This modulation appears to be mediated by subthreshold slow ion currents, representing a novel dopaminergic signaling pathway.
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