Akerman, C. J. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2018

Fine-scale excitatory cortical circuits reflect embryonic progenitor pools

Introductory paragraph Introductory paragraph Main text Animals In utero electroporation Intrathalamic injections Slice preparation and recording... Stimulation and recording... Analysis of recordings Histological analyses Statistics Methods Author Contributions References The mammalian neocortex is characterised by precise patterns of synaptic connections, which dictate how information flows through cortical circuits. The degree of convergence and divergence of excitatory information results from highly non-random, short-range and long-range glutamatergic synaptic connections1-11. Previous seminal work has shown that c ...

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2017

Biophysical models reveal the relative importance of transporter proteins and impermeant anions in chloride homeostasis

Fast synaptic inhibition in the nervous system depends on the transmembrane flux of Cl- ions based on the neuronal Cl- driving force. Established theories regarding the determinants of Cl- driving force have recently been questioned. Here we present biophysical models of Cl- homeostasis using the pump-leak model. Using numerical and novel analytic solutions, we demonstrate that the Na+/K+-ATPase, ion conductances, impermeant anions, electrodiffusion, water fluxes and cation-chloride cotransporters (CCCs) play roles in setting the Cl- driving force. Our models, together with experimental validation, show that while impermeant anions can contribute to setting [Cl-]i in neurons, they have a negligible effect on the driving force for Cl- locally and cell-wide. In contrast, we demonstrate that CCCs are well-suited for modulating Cl- driving force and hence inhibitory signalling in neurons. Our findings reconcile recent experimental findings and provide a framework for understanding the interplay of different chloride regulatory processes in neurons.

neuroscience↗