The Edinger-Westphal nucleus of the juvenile rat contains transient- and repetitive-firing neurons

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The Edinger-Westphal nucleus of the juvenile rat contains transient- and repetitive-firing neurons. / Laursen, M; Rekling, J C.

In: Neuroscience, Vol. 141, No. 1, 11.08.2006, p. 191-200.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Harvard

Laursen, M & Rekling, JC 2006, 'The Edinger-Westphal nucleus of the juvenile rat contains transient- and repetitive-firing neurons', Neuroscience, vol. 141, no. 1, pp. 191-200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.03.062

APA

Laursen, M., & Rekling, J. C. (2006). The Edinger-Westphal nucleus of the juvenile rat contains transient- and repetitive-firing neurons. Neuroscience, 141(1), 191-200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.03.062

Vancouver

Laursen M, Rekling JC. The Edinger-Westphal nucleus of the juvenile rat contains transient- and repetitive-firing neurons. Neuroscience. 2006 Aug 11;141(1):191-200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.03.062

Author

Laursen, M ; Rekling, J C. / The Edinger-Westphal nucleus of the juvenile rat contains transient- and repetitive-firing neurons. In: Neuroscience. 2006 ; Vol. 141, No. 1. pp. 191-200.

Bibtex

@article{fbc8d26070eb11dcbee902004c4f4f50,
title = "The Edinger-Westphal nucleus of the juvenile rat contains transient- and repetitive-firing neurons",
abstract = "Classically, the Edinger-Westphal nucleus is described as containing neurons controlling accommodation and pupillary constriction via projections to the ciliary ganglion. However, in several species including rat, some Edinger-Westphal neurons have ascending or descending CNS projections suggesting that the Edinger-Westphal nucleus might also have non-ocular functions. To further characterize the function of this nucleus we studied the electrophysiological properties of Edinger-Westphal neurons in a slice preparation from juvenile rats. The position of the Edinger-Westphal nucleus was determined using an immunohistochemical procedure directed at the peptide Urocortin, which is expressed in Edinger-Westphal neurons. Passive and active membrane responses were investigated and two different neuron types were identified. One type had a transient firing response to 400 ms depolarizing current pulses and one type had a repetitive firing response. Transient-firing neurons had an outward rectifying response inhibiting firing, possibly due to slowly inactivating I(D)-like potassium channels since low concentrations (200 microM) of the potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine elicited repetitive firing. In all neurons, low threshold Ca(2+) spikes were seen and these were blocked by nickel(II) chloride hexahydrate, suggesting that they are mediated via low voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels. Some biocytin-labeled neurons had axons or axonal collaterals projecting laterally or dorsally, suggesting possible non-ocular targets. In conclusion, the rat Edinger-Westphal nucleus contains two separate types of neurons with distinct electrophysiological properties.",
keywords = "4-Aminopyridine, Action Potentials, Animals, Animals, Newborn, Brain Stem, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone, Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation, Electric Stimulation, Female, Ganglia, Parasympathetic, Immunohistochemistry, Lysine, Male, Neurons, Nickel, Patch-Clamp Techniques, Potassium Channel Blockers, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Sodium Channel Blockers, Tetrodotoxin, Urocortins",
author = "M Laursen and Rekling, {J C}",
year = "2006",
month = aug,
day = "11",
doi = "10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.03.062",
language = "English",
volume = "141",
pages = "191--200",
journal = "Neuroscience",
issn = "0306-4522",
publisher = "Pergamon Press",
number = "1",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Edinger-Westphal nucleus of the juvenile rat contains transient- and repetitive-firing neurons

AU - Laursen, M

AU - Rekling, J C

PY - 2006/8/11

Y1 - 2006/8/11

N2 - Classically, the Edinger-Westphal nucleus is described as containing neurons controlling accommodation and pupillary constriction via projections to the ciliary ganglion. However, in several species including rat, some Edinger-Westphal neurons have ascending or descending CNS projections suggesting that the Edinger-Westphal nucleus might also have non-ocular functions. To further characterize the function of this nucleus we studied the electrophysiological properties of Edinger-Westphal neurons in a slice preparation from juvenile rats. The position of the Edinger-Westphal nucleus was determined using an immunohistochemical procedure directed at the peptide Urocortin, which is expressed in Edinger-Westphal neurons. Passive and active membrane responses were investigated and two different neuron types were identified. One type had a transient firing response to 400 ms depolarizing current pulses and one type had a repetitive firing response. Transient-firing neurons had an outward rectifying response inhibiting firing, possibly due to slowly inactivating I(D)-like potassium channels since low concentrations (200 microM) of the potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine elicited repetitive firing. In all neurons, low threshold Ca(2+) spikes were seen and these were blocked by nickel(II) chloride hexahydrate, suggesting that they are mediated via low voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels. Some biocytin-labeled neurons had axons or axonal collaterals projecting laterally or dorsally, suggesting possible non-ocular targets. In conclusion, the rat Edinger-Westphal nucleus contains two separate types of neurons with distinct electrophysiological properties.

AB - Classically, the Edinger-Westphal nucleus is described as containing neurons controlling accommodation and pupillary constriction via projections to the ciliary ganglion. However, in several species including rat, some Edinger-Westphal neurons have ascending or descending CNS projections suggesting that the Edinger-Westphal nucleus might also have non-ocular functions. To further characterize the function of this nucleus we studied the electrophysiological properties of Edinger-Westphal neurons in a slice preparation from juvenile rats. The position of the Edinger-Westphal nucleus was determined using an immunohistochemical procedure directed at the peptide Urocortin, which is expressed in Edinger-Westphal neurons. Passive and active membrane responses were investigated and two different neuron types were identified. One type had a transient firing response to 400 ms depolarizing current pulses and one type had a repetitive firing response. Transient-firing neurons had an outward rectifying response inhibiting firing, possibly due to slowly inactivating I(D)-like potassium channels since low concentrations (200 microM) of the potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine elicited repetitive firing. In all neurons, low threshold Ca(2+) spikes were seen and these were blocked by nickel(II) chloride hexahydrate, suggesting that they are mediated via low voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels. Some biocytin-labeled neurons had axons or axonal collaterals projecting laterally or dorsally, suggesting possible non-ocular targets. In conclusion, the rat Edinger-Westphal nucleus contains two separate types of neurons with distinct electrophysiological properties.

KW - 4-Aminopyridine

KW - Action Potentials

KW - Animals

KW - Animals, Newborn

KW - Brain Stem

KW - Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone

KW - Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation

KW - Electric Stimulation

KW - Female

KW - Ganglia, Parasympathetic

KW - Immunohistochemistry

KW - Lysine

KW - Male

KW - Neurons

KW - Nickel

KW - Patch-Clamp Techniques

KW - Potassium Channel Blockers

KW - Rats

KW - Rats, Wistar

KW - Sodium Channel Blockers

KW - Tetrodotoxin

KW - Urocortins

U2 - 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.03.062

DO - 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.03.062

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 16677766

VL - 141

SP - 191

EP - 200

JO - Neuroscience

JF - Neuroscience

SN - 0306-4522

IS - 1

ER -

ID: 1203630