Abstract
High-frequency hippocampal network oscillations, or "ripples," are thought to be involved in episodic memory. According to current theories, memory traces are represented by assemblies of principal neurons that are activated during ripple-associated network states. Here we performed in vivo and in vitro experiments to investigate the synaptic mechanisms during ripples. We discovered postsynaptic currents that are phase-locked to ripples and coherent among even distant CA1 pyramidal neurons. These fast currents are consistent with excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) as they are observed at the equilibrium potential of Cl -, and they display kinetics characteristic of EPSCs. Furthermore, they survived after intracellular blockade of GABAergic transmission and are effective to regulate the timing of action potentials. In addition, our data show a progressive synchronization of phasic excitation and inhibition during the course of ripples. Together, our results demonstrate the presence of phasic excitation during ripples reflecting an exquisite temporal coordination of assemblies of active pyramidal cells.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 137-152 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Neuron |
Volume | 72 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 6 Oct 2011 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We wish to thank Sarah Shoichet, Anja Gundlfinger, Alexey Ponomarenko, Christian Wozny, José R. Donoso, Nikolai Axmacher, and Robert Schmidt for constructive comments on earlier versions of the manuscript; Peter Barry (UNSW) for advice on estimation of LJPs; Roger D. Traub for valuable discussions; as well as Serena Dudek and Robert J. Bridges for help on establishing recordings with DNDS. We highly appreciate the technical assistance of Susanne Rieckmann and Anke Schönherr. This study has been supported by grants from the DFG (Exc 257, SFB 618, and Le-2250/2-1) and the BMBF (BCCN, grant numbers 01GQ0440 and 01GQ0410) and the ERC starting grant (260590).
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Neuroscience