Neuregulin and dopamine modulation of hippocampal gamma oscillations is dependent on dopamine D4 receptors

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Aug 7;109(32):13118-23. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1201011109. Epub 2012 Jul 20.

Abstract

The neuregulin/ErbB signaling network is genetically associated with schizophrenia and modulates hippocampal γ oscillations--a type of neuronal network activity important for higher brain processes and altered in psychiatric disorders. Because neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) dramatically increases extracellular dopamine levels in the hippocampus, we investigated the relationship between NRG/ErbB and dopamine signaling in hippocampal γ oscillations. Using agonists for different D1- and D2-type dopamine receptors, we found that the D4 receptor (D4R) agonist PD168077, but not D1/D5 and D2/D3 agonists, increases γ oscillation power, and its effect is blocked by the highly specific D4R antagonist L-745,870. Using double in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence histochemistry, we show that hippocampal D4R mRNA and protein are more highly expressed in GAD67-positive GABAergic interneurons, many of which express the NRG-1 receptor ErbB4. Importantly, D4 and ErbB4 receptors are coexpressed in parvalbumin-positive basket cells that are critical for γ oscillations. Last, we report that D4R activation is essential for the effects of NRG-1 on network activity because L-745,870 and the atypical antipsychotic clozapine dramatically reduce the NRG-1-induced increase in γ oscillation power. This unique link between D4R and ErbB4 signaling on γ oscillation power, and their coexpression in parvalbumin-expressing interneurons, suggests a cellular mechanism that may be compromised in different psychiatric disorders affecting cognitive control. These findings are important given the association of a DRD4 polymorphism with alterations in attention, working memory, and γ oscillations, and suggest potential benefits of D4R modulators for targeting cognitive deficits.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Waves / physiology*
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Dopamine / pharmacology
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Hippocampus / drug effects
  • Hippocampus / physiology*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Interneurons / metabolism
  • Neuregulins / metabolism*
  • Neuregulins / pharmacology
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Dopamine D4 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Dopamine D4 / metabolism*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

  • 3-((4-(4-chlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1H-pyrrolo(2,3-b)pyridine
  • Neuregulins
  • Pyridines
  • Pyrroles
  • Receptors, Dopamine D4
  • Dopamine