Retrograde GABA signaling adjusts sound localization by balancing excitation and inhibition in the brainstem.
Central processing of acoustic cues is critically dependent on the balance between excitation and inhibition. This balance is particularly important for auditory neurons in the lateral superior olive, because these compare excitatory inputs from one ear and inhibitory inputs from the other ear to compute sound source location. By applying GABA(B) receptor antagonists during sound stimulation in vivo, it was revealed that these neurons adjust their binaural sensitivity through GABA(B) receptors. Using an in vitro approach, we then demonstrate that these neurons release GABA during spiking activity. Consequently, GABA differentially regulates transmitter release from the excitatory and inhibitory terminals via feedback to presynaptic GABA(B) receptors. Modulation of the synaptic input strength, by putative retrograde release of neurotransmitter, may enable these auditory neurons to rapidly adjust the balance between excitation and inhibition, and thus their binaural sensitivity, which could play an important role as an adaptation to various listening situations.
Magnusson
Anna K
AK
Department Biologie II, Division of Neurobiology, LMU Munich, Grosshadernerstrasse 2, 82152 Martinsried, Germany. anna.magnusson@ki.se
Park
Thomas J
TJ
Pecka
Michael
M
Grothe
Benedikt
B
Koch
Ursula
U
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D001418:Baclofen / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004423:Ear / Q000502:physiology; D004533:Egtazic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D018682:GABA Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D018756:GABA Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D005849:Gerbillinae; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009847:Olivary Nucleus / Q000166:cytology*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000379:methods; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B / Q000378:metabolism; D013017:Sound Localization / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D018682:GABA Agents; D018756:GABA Antagonists; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B; C012647:QX-314; D004533:Egtazic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; C066430:CGP 35348; D008012:Lidocaine; D001418:Baclofen; C025603:1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid