Strength of Excitatory Inputs to Layer 3 Pyramidal Neurons During Synaptic Pruning in the Monkey Prefrontal Cortex: Relevance for the Pathogenesis of Schizophrenia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In schizophrenia, layer 3 pyramidal neurons (L3PNs) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex exhibit deficits in markers of excitatory synaptic inputs that are thought to disrupt the patterns of neural network activity essential for cognitive function. These deficits are usually interpreted under Irwin Feinberg's hypothesis of altered synaptic pruning, which postulates that normal periadolescent pruning, thought to preferentially eliminate weak/immature synapses, is altered in schizophrenia. However, it remains unknown whether periadolescent pruning on L3PNs in the primate dorsolateral prefrontal cortex selectively eliminates weak excitatory synapses or uniformly eliminates excitatory synapses across the full distribution of synaptic strengths.

Methods

To distinguish

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez-Burgos G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10394116 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature