Neuroscience 2003 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 315.11 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Synaptic targets of calretinin-labeled axon terminals in primate prefrontal cortex. |
| Authors: |
Melchitzky, D. S.*1,3
; Eggan, S. M.2
; Gehman, H. K.3
; Lewis, D. A.1,2
1Psychiatry, Univ. of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 2Neurosci., Univ. of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 3PA, BST W1651, 15213, |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions - Psychiatric Disorders -- Schizophrenia |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Motor Systems<br />- Cortex and Thalamus<br />-- Anatomy |
| Session: |
315. Schizophrenia: Animal Models I Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Sunday, November 9, 2003 3:00 PM-4:00 PM |
| Location: | Morial Convention Center - Hall F-I, Board # TT19 |
| Keywords: | parvalbumin, asymmetric synapse, interneurons, dendritic spines |
Subjects with schizophrenia exhibit both impairments in working memory and deficits in markers of GABA neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The coordinated activity of specific populations of pyramidal neurons and GABA-containing cells in the primate PFC appears to be critical for working memory. Different subclasses of GABA-containing cells can be distinguished by their content of the calcium-binding proteins parvalbumin (PV) or calretinin (CR). Knowledge of the synaptic targets of the CR- and PV-containing cells is important to understanding their role in the PFC circuitry involved in working memory. The postsynaptic targets of PV-containing cells have been well-characterized in many cortical areas, including the PFC. However, the targets of CR-containing cells have only been examined in visual cortex, where their synaptic targets differ by layer. Thus, in the present study, we used immuno-electron microscopy to examine the synaptic targets of CR-labeled axon terminals in the superficial and deep layers of monkey PFC. Preliminary data indicate that CR-immunoreactive (IR) terminals form both symmetric and asymmetric synapses. In the superficial layers, the majority (10/14) of the CR-IR terminals formed symmetric synapses onto dendritic shafts. Most of the CR-IR terminals forming asymmetric synapses (20/23) were located in the deep layers, where they equally targeted dendritic shafts and spines. These findings reveal both a laminar and target specificity of the synapses formed by CR-IR terminals and suggest that CR-IR terminals with different synaptic specializations may arise from different neuronal populations. In addition, these findings imply different roles for CR- and PV-containing cells in PFC circuitry involved in working memory.
Supported by MH51234
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2003 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. New Orleans, LA: Society for Neuroscience, 2003. Online.
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