Specialized inhibitory synaptic actions between nearby neocortical pyramidal neurons

Science. 2007 May 4;316(5825):758-61. doi: 10.1126/science.1135468.

Abstract

We found that, in the mouse visual cortex, action potentials generated in a single layer-2/3 pyramidal (excitatory) neuron can reliably evoke large, constant-latency inhibitory postsynaptic currents in other nearby pyramidal cells. This effect is mediated by axo-axonic ionotropic glutamate receptor-mediated excitation of the nerve terminals of inhibitory interneurons, which connect to the target pyramidal cells. Therefore, individual cortical excitatory neurons can generate inhibition independently from the somatic firing of inhibitory interneurons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Animals
  • Axons / metabolism
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism
  • Glutamic Acid / pharmacology
  • Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials*
  • Interneurons / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neural Inhibition
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Presynaptic Terminals / physiology
  • Pyramidal Cells / physiology*
  • Receptors, AMPA / physiology
  • Receptors, Kainic Acid / physiology
  • Synapses / physiology*
  • Synaptic Transmission
  • Visual Cortex / cytology
  • Visual Cortex / physiology*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Receptors, Kainic Acid
  • Glutamic Acid
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid