Somatosensory cortex

…create a conflict between visual and somatosensory inputs. In this context, increased reliance on somatosensory input compromises movement accuracy. Based on the hypothesis that tactile cues contribute to guiding hand

…underpinnings of this integration in cortex remain elusive. Here, we used a neural decoding-based appr

The major neuropathologic feature of Parkinson’s disease is the presence of widespread intracellular inclusions of α-synuclein known as Lewy bodies. Evidence suggests that these misfolded protein inclusions spread through the brain with disease progression. Changes in synaptic function precede neurodegeneration, and this extracellular α-synuclein can affect synaptic transmission. However, whether and how the spreading of α-synuclein aggregates modulates synaptic function before neuronal loss remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effect of intrastriatal injection of α-synuc

…The L4-L2/3 synapses in the somatosensory cortex (S1) exhibit a presynaptic form of spike timing-dependent long-term depression (t-LTD) that probably fulfills a role in synaptic refinement. This t-LTD persists until the 4rd postnatal week in mice, disappearing thereafter. When we investigated the mechanisms underlying this maturation-related loss of t-LTD in mouse slices,

Absence seizures are classified as genetic generalized seizures. They arise from abnormalities in corticothalamic networks evident as spike-wave discharges on electroencephalograms. Altered gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission is commonly reported in rodent models for absence seizures. However, the underlying causative mechanism for seizures at the cellular and molecular level is debated and appears multifactorial, which may account for the variable efficacy of antiepileptic drugs. Current drugs fail to suppress seizures in over 30% of children with absence epilepsy. Previously, we

…in distinct layers of the somatosensory cortex following central sensory deprivation. Complete thoracic spinal cord was used to induce sensory deprivation of the cortica

The neural basis of abnormal social behavior in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains incompletely understood and previous studies has highlighted that altered myelination could be involved in the pathophysiology of ASD. We have characterized the myelination process during development in the cntnap2-/- mouse model of ASD. We observed that oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination are transiently impaired during cortical development in cntnap2-/- mice. Thus, we observed a reduction in myelinated fibers, the number of nodes of Ranvier and the proportion of mature oligodendrocytes in somat

Even with complete knowledge of the underlying wiring diagram based on electron microscopy and of neuronal activity through in vivo recordings, we can only ever correlate neuron function with the structure of connectivity. Causation, however, can only be proven by manipulations of connectivity, which can experimentally only be pursued on coarse-grained scales or with low specificity. Higher resolution and specificity can, to date, only be reached using simulation techniques. Here, we present a novel framework for rapid connectome manipulations of detailed, biologically realistic network models

…data in L5 interneurons of the mouse somatosensory cortex (S1) using Patch-PCR, aiming to reveal the correlations between molecular marker expressions and morpho-electric properties. An integrated classification procedure based on extracted morphological and electrophysiological features yielded 11 major morpho-electric subtypes (M/E types

Many neuroscience studies in rodents are limited spatially and temporally by the use of tethered devices, head-fixed recordings or battery-powered telemetric implants. When subtle behavioural readouts are needed, protruding implants may affect neurophysiological and psychobehavioural parameters. We have successfully deployed and continue to develop ADInstruments’ KAHA Wireless Optogenetics Biopotential Telemeter which allows simultaneous user-defined optogenetic stimulation (460nm) and continuous electroencephalogram recording at 2kHz. Powered by inductive charging to remove the limitations of

…currents in layer IV of the somatosensory (barrel) cortex using a cuprizone-induced demyelinati

A primary goal of cortical physiology is to explain how the cortex transforms incoming information to generate precise output behaviour. A recent work from our group show that cortical astrocytes are crucial to set the threshold detection of neuronal circuities across cortical layers to compute specific sensory modalities. But how can astrocyte help to set the sensibility of neurons in a modality-specific manner? By using in vivo electrophysiology and sensory experiments in fosTRAP2 mice, we show that disruption of cortical astrocyte activity impairs the transfer of information across the feed

…in the ipsilateral hemisphere of somatosensory cortex and the underlying mechanisms. We used our established TBI model and performed immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization an

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder primarily affecting females, characterised by the loss of motor skills and behavioural abnormalities linked to an excitatory/inhibitory imbalance involving GABA dysfunction. GABAergic deficits, particularly in somatostatin (SST) interneurons, play a crucial role in RTT pathophysiology and have been successfully replicated in mouse models. This study delves deeper into understanding the role of GABAergic interneuron inhibition in an RTT mouse model. Neonatal injections were administered to Mecp2tm1.1Bird x Sst-IRES-Cre mice at P1,

Different explanations have been put forward to account for gender-related differences in mental rotation (MR) tasks. This fMRI study focused on the two main strategies - allocentric and egocentric - for solving a MR task. The allocentric strategy has been shown to be faster and more effective than the egocentric strategy. Since men are better than women at solving this task, one would predict that men tend to use the object's frame, while women tend to use their own frame. 62 participant went through two experimental conditions, requiring them to use a specific method for solving a MR task. B

One of the advantages of infrared neuromodulation (INM) compared to the classical electrical stimulation is that INM does not induce photoelectric artefacts in electrophysiological recordings. Another advantageous property of INM is that the propagation of light can be shaped easier than in case of electrical signals. Therefore, the stimulus can be more directional, the neuromodulation impact can be localized. In this work an infrared optrode is presented, that can be implanted into the brain tissue and performs optical stimulation and multi-site electrophysiological recording simultaneously.

…both layer 4 of primary and secondary somatosensory cortex (S1, S2). Posterior thalamic nucleus (Po) projects to the same somatosensory areas as a “higher order” nucleus following a different layer pattern. Despite “primary” and “secondary” functional characterization, it is unknown if differences exist in VPM and Po axon synapse structure and their postsynaptic targets in secondary cortices. Here, we set out to 3D meas

…chronic neuronal inactivation in the somatosensory cortex. Subsequent combination of in vivo elect

…were positioned subdurally on the somatosensory cortex of adult rats, with the craniectomy site sealed by a transparent window. Three weeks post-implantation, animal

…among neuron populations within the somatosensory cortex (S1). Our approach aimed to capture population-level signal intricacies by employing highly repeatable and resolvable visual, tactile, and visuo-tactile inputs, coupled with the recording of neuronal unit activity at a remarkably high temporal resolution. Our findings unveiled an exceptionally high-dimensional state space characterising

…lemniscus pathway targeting the somatosensory cortex and allowing for the perception of prop

Exaggerated responses to sensory stimuli is a hallmark of Fragile X syndrome (FXS), contributes to, inattention, anxiety, and learning challenges. Such sensory hypersensitivity are recapitulated in the Fmr1 knockout (KO). Recent studies in Fmr1 KO mice have demonstrated differences in GABAergic inhibition, including activity of cortical interneurons as well as a delayed switch in the polarity of GABA signaling during development. Previously, we found that administration of bumetanide to block the chloride (Cl-) transporter NKCC1, could rescue synaptic circuit phenotypes in primary somatosensor

…with slice electrophysiology in the somatosensory cortex of interneuron-labelled mice with a genetic (knock-out), or pharmacological (postnatal fluoxetine) developmental disruption of serotonin dynamics. We have characterised global and local cortical serotonergic fluctuati

…and warm exist in the posterior insula cortex (Vestergaard et al., 2023). In this study we used fMRI to model the pattern of response associated with innocuous and noxious thermal stimuli, to determine whether similar population receptive fields (PRFs) for temperature and pain exi