Reciprocal inhibitory connections and network synchrony in the mammalian thalamus

Science. 1999 Jan 22;283(5401):541-3. doi: 10.1126/science.283.5401.541.

Abstract

Neuronal rhythmic activities within thalamocortical circuits range from partially synchronous oscillations during normal sleep to hypersynchrony associated with absence epilepsy. It has been proposed that recurrent inhibition within the thalamic reticular nucleus serves to reduce synchrony and thus prevents seizures. Inhibition and synchrony in slices from mice devoid of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type-A (GABAA) receptor beta3 subunit were examined, because in rodent thalamus, beta3 is largely restricted to reticular nucleus. In beta3 knockout mice, GABAA-mediated inhibition was nearly abolished in reticular nucleus, but was unaffected in relay cells. In addition, oscillatory synchrony was dramatically intensified. Thus, recurrent inhibitory connections within reticular nucleus act as "desynchronizers."

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • GABA Antagonists / pharmacology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nerve Net / physiology*
  • Neural Inhibition*
  • Neural Pathways / physiology
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Picrotoxin / pharmacology
  • Receptors, GABA-A / genetics
  • Receptors, GABA-A / physiology*
  • Synaptic Transmission*
  • Thalamic Nuclei / physiology
  • Thalamus / physiology*

Substances

  • GABA Antagonists
  • Receptors, GABA-A
  • Picrotoxin