Neuroscience 2004 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 1007.5 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Putative hippocampal interneurons develop context-specific responses to task relevant events. |
| Authors: |
Smith, D. M.*1
; Turner, T. N.1
; Mizumori, S. J. Y.1
1Dept. of Psychology, Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Cognition and Behavior - Human and Animal Cognition and Behavior -- Learning & memory: Physiology and imaging |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Cognition and Behavior<br />- Human and Animal Cognition and Behavior<br />-- Cognitive learning and memory systems |
| Session: |
1007. Place Cells, Sleep, and Theta Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Wednesday, October 27, 2004 1:00 PM-2:00 PM |
| Location: | San Diego Convention Center - Hall A-H, Board # RR9 |
| Keywords: | theta cell, spatial learning, instrumental learning, episodic memory |
Previously, we reported that hippocampal pyramidal neurons exhibited differential spatial and event related firing patterns while rats retrieved rewards from different locations in the same environment (Smith et al, 2002, SFN abs 677.11). These differential firing patterns could serve as a context code that would be useful in disambiguating similar contexts that require different behavioral responses. Although most electrophysiological studies of hippocampal function have examined pyramidal neurons, recent findings indicate that high rate, presumptive inhibitory interneurons can also exhibit task relevant responses (Wiebe and Staubli, 2001, J Neurosci, 21(11) 3955-67). Here, we examined the role of these high rate neurons in context processing using our previously employed learning task. Neuronal activity was recorded while rats (n=11) learned to retrieve rewards at one location on a plus maze for the first block of a session and from a different location during the second block. Both blocks took place in the same environment. Thus, the context was defined by the subject’s knowledge of where rewards could be obtained. Consistent with numerous previous findings, many neurons exhibited locomotion related firing. However, other neurons (n=73) exhibited responses to task related events, such as the reward and the beginning or end of the training trials. These responses were not attributable to locomotion related firing. Remarkably, the task related responses of many neurons differed across the two blocks (contexts) after learning, even though the environment was unchanged. Comparison of the proportions of neurons exhibiting responses before and after learning indicated that the context-specific responses developed with training [X2(1)=4.39, p<.05]. These results suggest that the hippocampal context processing involves both pyramidal neurons and interneurons.
Supported by NIH MH58755 to SM, MH67399 to DS.
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2004 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2004. Online.
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