Electrophysiological characterization and computational models of HVC neurons in the zebra finch

Autor:	Richard L. Hyson, Richard Bertram, Matthew T. Ross, Frank Johnson, Arij Daou
Rok vydání:	2013
Předmět:	Male Neurons Computational model High Vocal Center Physiology General Neuroscience Models Neurological Action Potentials In Vitro Techniques Biology Premotor cortex Electrophysiology medicine.anatomical_structure medicine Animals Finches Neuroscience Nucleus Zebra finch
Zdroj:	Journal of Neurophysiology. 110:1227-1245
ISSN:	1522-1598 0022-3077
DOI:	10.1152/jn.00162.2013
Popis:	The nucleus HVC (proper name) within the avian analog of mammal premotor cortex produces stereotyped instructions through the motor pathway leading to precise, learned vocalization by songbirds. Electrophysiological characterization of component HVC neurons is an important requirement in building a model to understand HVC function. The HVC contains three neural populations: neurons that project to the RA (robust nucleus of arcopallium), neurons that project to Area X (of the avian basal ganglia), and interneurons. These three populations are interconnected with specific patterns of excitatory and inhibitory connectivity, and they fire with characteristic patterns both in vivo and in vitro. We performed whole cell current-clamp recordings on HVC neurons within brain slices to examine their intrinsic firing properties and determine which ionic currents are responsible for their characteristic firing patterns. We also developed conductance-based models for the different neurons and calibrated the models using data from our brain slice work. These models were then used to generate predictions about the makeup of the ionic currents that are responsible for the different responses to stimuli. These predictions were then tested and verified in the slice using pharmacological manipulations. The model and the slice work highlight roles of a hyperpolarization-activated inward current ( Ih), a low-threshold T-type Ca2+ current ( ICa-T), an A-type K+ current ( IA), a Ca2+-activated K+ current ( ISK), and a Na+-dependent K+ current ( IKNa) in driving the characteristic neural patterns observed in the three HVC neuronal populations. The result is an improved characterization of the HVC neurons responsible for song production in the songbird.
Databáze:	OpenAIRE
Externí odkaz:	https://explore.openaire.eu/search/publication?articleId=doi_dedup___::6220420c26b0d24f6c549e374891d402 https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00162.2013 Zobrazit plný text záznamu