Neuroscience 2003 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 784.5 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Whisker deprivation prevents decrease in functional NR2B mediated synaptic currents in layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in barrel cortex during early postnatal development. |
| Authors: |
Mierau, S. B.*1
; Upton, L.1
; Paulsen, O.1
1Physiology Dept., Univ. of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Development - Synaptogenesis and Activity-Dependent Development -- Activity-dependent development and plasticity |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Synaptic Transmission and Excitability<br />- Synaptic Transmission<br />-- Postsynaptic mechanisms: Excitatory |
| Session: |
784. Activity-dependent Development and Plasticity VI Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Wednesday, November 12, 2003 8:00 AM-9:00 AM |
| Location: | Morial Convention Center - Hall F-I, Board # B8 |
| Keywords: | NMDA RECEPTOR, SOMATOSENSORY CORTEX, PATCH CLAMP, ACTIVITY-DEPENDENT |
Changes in the subunit composition of the NMDA receptor have been suggested as a mechanism of developmental plasticity in the cortex. We have previously shown in the mouse barrel cortex (Mierau et al., 2001, SfN abstract) that the decay time constant of the NMDA receptor-mediated component of the EPSC in layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons evoked by extracellular stimulation in layer 4 decreased during the second postnatal week. This change is likely to be due to a decrease in the expression of the NR2B subunit in the synaptic NMDA receptors because application of the selective NR2B antagonist ifenprodil (3 μM) decreased the ratio of NMDA to AMPA receptor-mediated current and the decay time constant of the NMDA current in slices from postnatal day (P)6-8 but had no effect on currents at P13-15. To investigate whether this developmental change in synaptic currents depends upon sensory experience, we recorded EPSCs in barrel cortex slices from P13-15 mice with whiskers plucked at P6. In contrast to normal P13-15 mice, in the whisker-deprived mice there was a significant ifenprodil-sensitive component of the NMDA receptor-mediated current, indicating that in mice with reduced sensory experience, the NR2B-mediated current was still a significant portion of the total synaptic NMDA receptor-mediated current. These results support the hypothesis that the developmental switch in NMDA receptor subunits is activity-dependent.
Supported by The Rhodes Trust
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2003 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. New Orleans, LA: Society for Neuroscience, 2003. Online.
Copyright © 2003-2026 Society for Neuroscience; all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of any abstract in any form must be obtained in writing by SfN office prior to publication.
