Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Conditioned changes of synaptic transmission in the motor cortex of the cat

  • Published:
Experimental Brain Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Intracellular recordings were made from 117 neurons in the motor cortex of anesthetized cats. The pyramidal tract (PT) and VL nucleus of thalamus were stimulated in order to activate the neurons from two directions.

  1. 1.

    PT cells were conditioned by antidromic trains (10–50 cps for 4–15 s) and by paired PT and VL stimuli with different intervals and sequences. The VL-EPSPs were examined before and after conditioning, to find differences in efficacy in giving rise to spikes. The conditioning procedures resulted in a remarkable facilitation of VL-EPSPs, manifesting itself as a significant rise of efficacy in generating spikes, a shortening of peak latency and in some cases, an enhancement of background firing.

  2. 2.

    In non-PT neurons the same conditioning procedures elicited heterosynaptic facilitation and a rise in firing activity.

  3. 3.

    Intracellularly injected square wave pulses also resulted in facilitation of VL-EPSPs.

  4. 4.

    Pairings of PT and VL stimuli were more effective than trains in evoking conditioned changes.

  5. 5.

    Plastic modifications were observed in the 13.7% of the neurons subjected to conditioning procedures.

  6. 6.

    The authors assume that synchronous activity of the pre- and postsynaptic neurons is a highly important condition for plastic changes in the efficacy of synaptic transmission.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Araki, T., Endo, K., Shigenaga, Y., Kawai, Y., Ito, K.: Three components of incrementing PSPs of pyramidal tract cells evoked by stimulation of thalamic nuclei. Brain Res 113, 411–416 (1976a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Araki, T., Endo, K.: Short-latency EPSPs of pyramidal tract cells evoked by stimulation of the centrum-medianum parafascicular complex and the nucleus ventralis anterior of the thalamus. Brain Res 113, 405–410 (1976b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, D.M.: Synaptic excitation and inhibition of Betz cells by antidromic pyramidal volleys. J Physiol (Lond) 178, 37–38 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Baranyi, A., Fehér, O.: Heterosynaptic facilitation in the motor cortex of the cat. In: Neuron Concept Today (eds. J. Szentágothai, J. Hámori and E.S. Vizi), pp. 255–256. Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó 1977

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumgarten, R.V.: Plasticity in the nervous system at the unitary level. In: The Neurosciences. Second Study Program (ed. F.O. Schmitt), pp. 260–271. New York: Rockefeller University Press 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Calvin, W.H., Sypert, G.W.: Fast and slow pyramidal tract neurons: an intracellular analysis of their contrasting repetitive firing properties in the cat. J Neurophysiol 39, 420–434 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Changeux, J.P., Danchin, A.: Selective stabilization of developing synapses as a mechanism for the specification of neuronal networks. Nature (Lond) 264, 705–712 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Creutzfeldt, O.D., Watanabe, S., Lux, H.D.: Relations between EEG phenomena and potentials of single cortical cells. I. Evoked responses after thalamic and epicortical stimulation. Electroenceph Clin Neurophysiol 20, 1–18 (1966a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Creutzfeldt, O.D., Watanabe, S., Lux, H.D.: Relations between EEG phenomena and potentials of single cortical cells. II. Spontaneous and convulsoid activity. Electroenceph Clin Neurophysiol 20, 19–37 (1966b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner-Medwin, A.R.: Modifiable synapses necessary for learning. Nature (Lond) 223, 916–919 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffith, J.S.: A theory of the nature of memory. Nature (Lond) 211, 1160–1163 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Grossman, R.G., Clark, K., Whiteside, L.: The influence of thalamic stimulus parameters of primary and augmenting cortical intracellular potentials. Brain Res 5, 273–288 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hebb, D.O.: The Organization of Behavior. New York: Wiley 1949

    Google Scholar 

  • Humphrey, D.R.: Re-analysis of the antidromic cortical response. I. Potential evoked by stimulation of the isolated pyramidal tract. Electroenceph Clin Neurophysiol 24, 116–124 (1968a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Humphrey, D.R.: Re-analysis of the antidromic cortical response. II. On the contribution of cell discharge and PSPs to the evoked potentials. Electroenceph Clin Neurophysiol 25, 421–442 (1968b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jabbur, S.J., Towe, A.L.: Cortical excitation of neurons in dorsal column nuclei of cat, including and analysis of pathways. J Physiol 155, 148–160 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacklet, J.W., Lukowiak, K.: Neural processes in habituation and sensitization in model system. In: Progress in Neurobiology (eds. G.A. Kerkut, J.W. Phillis), Vol. 4, pp. 1–56. Oxford: Pergamon Press 1975

    Google Scholar 

  • Jasper, H.H., Ajmone Marsan, C.: A stereotaxic Atlas of the Diencephalon of the Cat. Ottawa. The National Research Council of Canada (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kandel, E.R., Taue, L.: Heterosynaptic facilitation in neurones of the abdominal ganglion of Aplysia depilans. J Physiol (Lond) 181, 1–27 (1965a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kandel, E.R., Tauc, L.: Mechanism of heterosynaptic facilitation in the giant cell of the abdominal ganglion of Aplysia depilans. J Physiol (Lond) 181, 28–47 (1965b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kandel, E.R.: An Invertebrate System for the Cellular Analysis of Simple Behaviors and Their Modifications. In: The Neurosciences Third Study Program (eds. F.O. Schmitt, F.G. Worden), pp. 347–370. New York: Rockefeller University Press 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Kandel, E.R., Spencer, W.A.: Cellular Neurophysiological approaches to the study of learning. Physiol Rev 48, 65–134 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch, G.S., Dunwiddie, T., Gribkoff, V.: Heterosynaptic depression: a postsynaptic correlate of long-term potentiation. Nature (Lond) 206, 737–739 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lux, H.D., Nacimiento, A.C., Creutzfeldt, O.D.: Gegenseitige Beeinflussung von Postsynaptischen Potentialen corticaler Nervenzellen nach Reizen in unspezifischen und spezifischen Kernen des Thalamus. Pflügers Arch Ges Physiol 281, 170–180 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nacimiento, A.C., Lux, H.D., Creutzfeldt, O.D.: Postsynaptische Potentials an corticalen Nervenzellen nach Reizung spezifischer und unspezifischer Thalamuskerne. Pflügers Arch Ges Physiol 281, 152–169 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Brien, J.H., Wilder, M.B., Stevens, C.D.: Conditioning of cortical neurons in cats with antidromic activation as the unconditioned stimulus. J comp physiol Psychol 91, 918–929 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Oshima, T.: Studies of pyramidal tract cells. In: Basic Mechanisms of Epilepsies (eds. H.H. Jasper, A.A. Ward and A. Pope), pp. 253–261. Boston: Little Brown 1969

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, C.G.: Intracellular records from Betz cells in the cat. Quart J Exp Physiol 41, 58–69 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, C.G.: Action of antidromic pyramidal wolleys of single Betz cells in the cat. Quart J Exp Physiol 44, 1–26 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Purpura, D.P.: Intracellular studies of synaptic organizations in the mammalian brain. In: Structure and Function of Synapses (eds. G.D. Pappas, D.P. Purpura), pp. 257–302. New York: Raven Press 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Pusztai, I., Ádám, G.: Learning phenomena in the giant neurons of the snail (Helix pomatia). Comp Biochem Physiol 47, 165–171 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenblum, S.M., O'Brien, J.H.: A cryogenic study of cortical conditioning changes. J Neurophysiol 40, 959–967 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rusinova, E.V.: Plastic reorganizations of neuronal activity in the sensorimotor cortex during elaboration of a cellular analogue of temporary connection. Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat 27, 941–948 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shimahara, T., Tauc, L.: Heterosynaptic facilitation in the giant cell of Aplysia. J Physiol (Lond) 247, 321–341 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Skrebitsky, V.G., Rusinova, E.V.: Plastic changes in reactivity of cortical neurones. Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat 23, 791–798 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Skrebitsky, V.G., Chepkova, A.N.: The role of time intervals between “conditioned” and “unconditioned” stimuli in elaboration of neuronal analogs of conditioned reflex. Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat 23, 575–584 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stefanis, C., Jasper, H.: Intracellular microelectrode studies of antidromic responses in cortical pyramidal tract neurons. J Neurophysiol 27, 828–854 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stent, G.S.: A physiological mechanism for Hebb's postulate learning. Proc Nat Acad Sci (Wash) 70, 997–1001 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Szentágothai, J.: The “module-concept” in cerebral cortex architecture. Brain Res 95, 475–496 (1975)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi, K.: Slow and fast groups of pyramidal tract cell and their respective membrane properties. J Neurophysiol 27, 908–924 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi, K., Kubota, K., Uno, M.: Recurrent facilitation in cat pyramidal tract cells. J Neurophysiol 30, 22–34 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, R.F., Patterson, H.M., Teyler, T.J.: Neurophysiology of learning. Ann Rev Psychol 23, 73–104 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Voronin, L.L., Joffe, S.V.: Changes in unit postsynaptic responses at sensorymotor cortex with conditioning in rabbits. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Warsawa) 34, 505–523 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Voronin, L.L., Kozhedub, R.G.: Analysis of postsynaptic potential changes in a cellular analog of conditioned reflexes. Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat 21, 997–1005 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Voronin, L.L.: Microelectrode study of neurophysiological mechanisms of conditioning. Soviet. Res. Reports.2 (ed. C.D. Woody), Brain Information Service. U.C.L.A. Los Angeles (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Woody, C.D., Black-Cleworth, P.: Differences in excitability of cortical neurons as a function of motor projection in conditioned cats. J Neurophysiol 36, 1104–1115 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurtz, R.H., Castellucci, F.V., Nusrala, J.M.: Synaptic plasticity: the effect of the action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. Exp Neurol 18, 350–368 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Comparative Physiology, Attila József University of Sciences, 6726, Szeged, Közep fasor 52, Hungary

    A. Baranyi & O. Fehér

Authors
  1. A. Baranyi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. O. Fehér
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Baranyi, A., Fehér, O. Conditioned changes of synaptic transmission in the motor cortex of the cat. Exp Brain Res 33, 283–298 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00238066

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00238066

Key words

Search

Navigation