Tonic nicotinic transmission enhances spinal GABAergic presynaptic release and the frequency of spontaneous network activity.

ABSTRACT: Synaptically driven spontaneous network activity (SNA) is observed in virtually all developing networks. Recurrently connected spinal circuits express SNA, which drives fetal movements during a period of development when GABA is depolarizing and excitatory. Blockade of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) activation impairs the expression of SNA and the development of the motor system. It is mechanistically unclear how nicotinic transmission influences SNA, and in this study we tested several mechanisms that could underlie the regulation of SNA by nAChRs. We find evidence that is consistent with our previous work suggesting that cholinergically driven Renshaw cells can initiate episodes of SNA. While Renshaw cells receive strong nicotinic synaptic input, we see very little evidence sug

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez-Islas C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4674379 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature