title: Cellular mechanisms of the slow (<1 Hz) oscillation in thalamocortical neurons in vitro.
abstract: The slow (<1 Hz) rhythm is a defining feature of the electroencephalogram during sleep. Since cortical circuits can generate this rhythm in isolation, it is assumed that the accompanying slow oscillation in thalamocortical (TC) neurons is largely a passive reflection of neocortical activity. Here we show, however, that by activating the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR), mGluR1a, cortical inputs can recruit intricate cellular mechanisms that enable the generation of an intrinsic slow oscillation in TC neurons in vitro with identical properties to those observed in vivo. These mechanisms rely on the "window" component of the T-type Ca(2+) current and a Ca(2+)-activated, nonselective cation current. These results suggest an active role for the thalamus in shaping the slow (<1 Hz) sleep rhythm.
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, CF10 3US, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Stuart W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Cope
authors.forename: Kate L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Blethyn
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Crunelli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D002415:Cats; D003515:Cycloleucine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D003700:Delta Rhythm; D004569:Electroencephalography; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018756:GABA Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D005829:Geniculate Bodies / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / Q000378:metabolism*; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D013788:Thalamus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D018756:GABA Antagonists; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate; C104077:metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1; D003515:Cycloleucine; C036361:1-amino-1,3-dicarboxycyclopentane