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Cholecystokinin modulates age-dependent thalamocortical neuroplasticity
Xiao Li1,2,3,4, Jingyu Feng2,5, Xiaohan Hu1,2,3
1Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Elife
|November 20, 2025
Summary
Cholecystokinin (CCK) modulates thalamocortical plasticity. CCK is essential for auditory cortex long-term potentiation (LTP) in adult mice, but not juveniles or aged mice, suggesting CCK as a therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroplasticity
- Auditory System
Background:
- Thalamocortical pathways demonstrate neuroplasticity throughout adulthood.
- Age-related changes can impact neural circuit function and plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cholecystokinin (CCK) in age-dependent thalamocortical plasticity.
- To explore CCK's modulation of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the auditory cortex (ACx).
Main Methods:
- Examined CCK expression and release in thalamocortical neurons using high-frequency stimulation (HFS).
- Utilized CCK knockdown and CCK-B receptor (CCKBR) blockade in mice.
- Assessed HFS-induced LTP in juvenile, adult, and aged mice.
- Administered exogenous CCK to aged mice and evaluated frequency discrimination.
Main Results:
- CCK is expressed in thalamocortical neurons and released in the ACx upon HFS.
- HFS-induced thalamocortical LTP in adult mice requires CCK and CCKBR.
- LTP was not observed in juvenile mice (due to absent CCKBR) or aged mice (due to impaired CCK release).
- Exogenous CCK administration restored LTP in aged mice and improved frequency discrimination.
Conclusions:
- CCK plays a critical role in adult thalamocortical plasticity.
- Age-dependent deficits in thalamocortical LTP are linked to CCK signaling.
- CCK administration may offer a therapeutic strategy for neuroplasticity impairments.
Keywords:
Thalamocortical plasticityauditory cortexcholecystokininfrequency discriminationlong-term potentiationmedial geniculate bodymouseneuroscienceMore Related Videos
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