Phasic and tonic patterns of locus coeruleus output differentially modulate sensory network function in the awake rat.

ABSTRACT: Neurons of the nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) discharge with phasic bursts of activity superimposed on highly regular tonic discharge rates. Phasic bursts are elicited by bottom-up input mechanisms involving novel/salient sensory stimuli and top-down decision making processes; whereas tonic rates largely fluctuate according to arousal levels and behavioral states. Although it is generally believed that these two modes of activity differentially modulate information processing in LC targets, the unique role of phasic versus tonic LC output on signal processing in cells, circuits, and neural networks of waking animals is not well understood. In the current study, simultaneous recordings of individual neurons within ventral posterior medial thalamus and barrel field cortex of conscious rats pro

SUBMITTER: Devilbiss DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3023368 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature