title: Long-lasting self-inhibition of neocortical interneurons mediated by endocannabinoids.
abstract: Neocortical GABA-containing interneurons form complex functional networks responsible for feedforward and feedback inhibition and for the generation of cortical oscillations associated with several behavioural functions. We previously reported that fast-spiking (FS), but not low-threshold-spiking (LTS), neocortical interneurons from rats generate a fast and precise self-inhibition mediated by inhibitory autaptic transmission. Here we show that LTS cells possess a different form of self-inhibition. LTS, but not FS, interneurons undergo a prominent hyperpolarization mediated by an increased K+-channel conductance. This self-induced inhibition lasts for many minutes, is dependent on an increase in intracellular [Ca2+] and is blocked by the cannabinoid receptor antagonist AM251, indicating that it is mediated by the autocrine release of endogenous cannabinoids. Endocannabinoid-mediated slow self-inhibition represents a powerful and long-lasting mechanism that alters the intrinsic excitability of LTS neurons, which selectively target the major site of excitatory connections onto pyramidal neurons; that is, their dendrites. Thus, modulation of LTS networks after their sustained firing will lead to long-lasting changes of glutamate-mediated synaptic strength in pyramidal neurons, with consequences during normal and pathophysiological cortical network activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bacci
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Huguenard
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Prince
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007395:Interneurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D019579:Neocortex / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D002118:Calcium