Repetition rates of specific interval patterns in single spike train reflect excitation level of specific receptor types, shown by high-speed favored-pattern detection method.
Interval patterns in single spike train, e.g. "favored patterns (FPs, the FP is a sequence of successive intervals of action potentials that occur more often than what is reasonably expected at random.)", may represent neural codes containing information. The present study developed a "high-speed FP-detection method" which could qualitatively and quantitatively analyze FPs. By using this method, single spike trains of nucleus paraventricularis (NPV) and rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVL) having different firing patterns, being involved in regulation of arterial pressure, and controlled by different transmitters, were chosen for analysis.


RESULTS
(1) Corticotropin releasing factor, substance P and agonists of alpha-, beta- and M-receptor microinjected into these brain areas, respectively, induced dominant change of specific FP. Repetition rates of specific FPs reflect excitation level of specific receptor types. It shows that chemical codes (different transmitters with their receptor types or subtypes) are transformed into electrical codes (different FPs). (2) When alpha-, beta- and M-receptors of RVL neurons were activated simultaneously by intrinsic excitatory transmitters released due to activation of input pathway, only repetition rate of the specific FP that represented the predominant activity of the receptor type (alpha-adrenergic receptor) markedly increased. The activities of other receptor types (beta- and M-receptors) were masked. (3) Intrinsic inhibitory transmitters (GABA, beta-endorphin) in the RVL all decreased specific FP repetition rate of dominant receptor type. These results may provide a new way to further explore how information in the CNS is conveyed and processed.
Ku
Yun-Hui
YH
Department of Physiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100083, PR China. yunhui_ku@163.com
Wang
Ming
M
Li
Yao-Hua
YH
Sun
Ze-Jin
ZJ
Guo
Tao
T
Wu
Jin-Sheng
JS
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000166:cytology; D008845:Microinjections / Q000379:methods; D018721:Muscarinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009716:Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; D010286:Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000166:cytology; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology*; D013373:Substance P / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D018721:Muscarinic Agonists; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D010862:Pilocarpine; D010656:Phenylephrine; D013373:Substance P; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007545:Isoproterenol