A specialized NMDA receptor function in layer 5 recurrent microcircuitry of the adult rat prefrontal cortex.

ABSTRACT: In the prefrontal cortex, NMDA receptors are important for normal prefrontal functions such as working memory, and their dysfunction plays a key role in the pathological processes of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Little is known, however, about the synaptic properties of NMDA receptors in the local circuits of recurrent excitation, a leading candidate mechanism underlying working memory. We investigated the NMDA receptor-mediated currents at monosynaptic connections between pairs of layer 5 pyramidal neurons. We found that NMDA receptor-mediated currents at prefrontal synapses in the adult, but not young, rats exhibit a twofold longer decay time-constant and temporally summate a train of stimuli more effectively, compared to those in the primary visual cortex. Experiments wi

SUBMITTER: Wang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2575498 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature