ePoster

Motor learning-induced plasticity of cerebellar Purkinje neuron connectivity

Laura Pérez-Revuelta, Hannah M. Jahn, Kristiano Ndoci, Matteo Bergami
FENS Forum 2024(2024)
Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center, Vienna, Austria

Conference

FENS Forum 2024

Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center, Vienna, Austria

Resources

Authors & Affiliations

Laura Pérez-Revuelta, Hannah M. Jahn, Kristiano Ndoci, Matteo Bergami

Abstract

The cerebellum critically contributes to motor, cognitive and emotional functions. Cerebellum-dependent motor learning is believed to be processed within the cerebellar cortex, and specifically via changes in synaptic plasticity of Purkinje cells (PCs), which are the main cortical output. However, whether and how motor learning can influence the actual connectivity of PCs is unknown. To address this question, we use a rabies virus (RABV)-based approach to map structural modifications of PC presynaptic inputs in young (3-month-old) and middle-aged mice (1-year-old). To promote motor skill learning, the animals are exposed to complex running wheels and compared to sedentary mice. Quantification of the of presynaptic inputs normalized of the number of starter PCs (i.e., convergence index) showed that motor learning induces a prominent rewiring of local and long-distance connectivity in younger mice. Interestingly, ex vivo path-clamp recordings of PCs revealed no overt alterations in membrane passive and active properties. These results demonstrate that while motor skill learning in young mice appears sufficient to rewire PC connectivity, the overall proportion of different inputs remains stable, suggesting a learning-dependent increase of synaptic input turnover (i.e., synapse formation/pruning). Finally, preliminary experiments conducted in 1-year-old mice disclosed much more modest modifications of the PC connectome, suggesting an age-dependent decline in motor learning-induced synaptic plasticity.

Unique ID: fens-24/motor-learning-induced-plasticity-cerebellar-40389257