Nicotinic α5 subunits drive developmental changes in the activation and morphology of prefrontal cortex layer VI neurons.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Nicotinic signaling in prefrontal layer VI pyramidal neurons is important to the function of mature attention systems. The normal incorporation of α5 subunits into α4β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors augments nicotinic signaling in these neurons and is required for normal attention performance in adult mice. However, the role of α5 subunits in the development of the prefrontal cortex is not known.

Methods

We sought to answer this question by examining nicotinic currents and neuronal morphology in layer VI neurons of medial prefrontal cortex of wild-type and α5 subunit knockout (α5(-/-)) mice during postnatal development and in adulthood.

Results

In wild-type but not in α5(-/-) mice, there is a developmental peak in nicotinic acetylcholine currents in th

SUBMITTER: Bailey CD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3788582 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature