Pedunculopontine glutamatergic neurons control spike patterning in substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons.

ABSTRACT: Burst spiking in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopaminergic neurons is a key signaling event in the circuitry controlling goal-directed behavior. It is widely believed that this spiking mode depends upon an interaction between synaptic activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and intrinsic oscillatory mechanisms. However, the role of specific neural networks in burst generation has not been defined. To begin filling this gap, SNc glutamatergic synapses arising from pedunculopotine nucleus (PPN) neurons were characterized using optical and electrophysiological approaches. These synapses were localized exclusively on the soma and proximal dendrites, placing them in a good location to influence spike generation. Indeed, optogenetic stimulation of PPN axons reliably evoked

SUBMITTER: Galtieri DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5643088 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature