The elevated open platform stress suppresses excitatory synaptic transmission in the layer V anterior cingulate...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Stress Research
• Synaptic Plasticity

Background:

• Physical stress can induce hyperalgesia, anxiety, and depression.
• Acute physical stress via the elevated open platform (EOP) in mice causes long-lasting mechanical hypersensitivity.
• EOP exposure induces synaptic plasticity in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) layer II/III pyramidal neurons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if EOP exposure alters intrinsic properties and synaptic transmission in ACC layer V pyramidal neurons.
• To understand the role of ACC layer V neurons in the behavioral stress response.

Main Methods:

• Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in brain slice preparations.
• Assessment of intrinsic membrane properties and excitatory/inhibitory synaptic transmission.
• Investigation of thalamo-ACC projections.

Main Results:

• EOP exposure did not alter intrinsic properties of ACC layer V neurons.
• EOP exposure suppressed excitatory synaptic transmission frequency and altered AMPA/GluK receptor kinetics.
• EOP exposure induced short-term depression in thalamo-ACC excitatory synaptic transmission.

Conclusions:

• EOP stress leads to abnormal excitatory synaptic transmission in ACC layer V pyramidal neurons.
• These synaptic changes in ACC layer V neurons may contribute to stress-induced hypersensitivity and behavioral responses.