Journal of Neurophysiology

JNP Micro Podcasts: Striatopallidal synaptic currents

In this episode, coauthor James A. Jones dives into the study titled "Comparison of unitary synaptic currents generated by indirect and direct pathway neurons of the mouse striatum." This research is notable as it’s the first to examine synaptic currents from single identified direct and indirect pathway striatal neurons targeting individual globus pallidus externus (GPe) neurons.

Jones highlights how each GPe neuron integrates inputs from both pathways, revealing that while most striatal neurons generate relatively small synaptic currents, a subset is powerful enough to make a significant impact on GPe activity. This finding underscores the collective influence of striatal neurons and raises intriguing questions about the dynamics of synaptic transmission in basal ganglia circuits. The implications for understanding movement and behavioral control are profound, making this study a crucial addition to the field.

 

Article Citation: 

---

Comparison of unitary synaptic currents generated by indirect and direct pathway neurons of the mouse striatum

James A. Jones, Jacob Peña, Rostislav I. Likhotvorik, Brandon I. Garcia-Castañeda, and Charles J. Wilson

Journal of Neurophysiology 2024 131:5, 914-936

 

 

JNP Micro Podcasts: Beadex is required in Neurons

In this podcast coauthor Kripa Chitre discusses the recently published article titled "Beadex, the Drosophila LIM only protein, is required for the growth of the larval neuromuscular junction."  A novel role for Beadex (Bx) regulates the larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) structure and function in a tissue-specific manner. Bx is expressed in a subset of Toll-6-expressing neurons and is involved in regulating synaptic span and physiology, possibly through its negative interaction with Highwire (Hiw). The findings of this study provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying NMJ development and function and warrant further investigation to understand the role of Bx in these processes fully.

 

Article Citation:

Beadex, the Drosophila LIM only protein, is required for the growth of the larval neuromuscular junction

Kripa Chitre, Subhash Kairamkonda, Manish Kumar Dwivedi, Saumitra Yadav, Vimlesh Kumar, Sujit K. Sikdar, and Upendra Nongthomba

Journal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:2, 418-432

JNP Micro Podcasts: Rejuvenating silicon probes for acute neurophysiology

In this podcast, coauthor Alden Shoup dives into the methods and resources outlined in their paper "Rejuvenating silicon probes for acute neurophysiology." Discover how they are tackling the issue of degraded probe performance and providing a solution to extend their lifespan.

 

Article Citation:

Rejuvenating silicon probes for acute neurophysiology

Alden M. Shoup, Natasha Porwal, Mohammad Amin Fakharian, Paul Hage, Simon P. Orozco, and Reza Shadmehr

Journal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:1, 308-315

JNP Micro Podcasts: The Multisensory and Multidimensional Nature of Object Representation

In this podcast, author Hellen Kyler delves into her mini-review article on the multisensory and multidimensional nature of object representation. Explore the fascinating findings from fMRI experiments and the impact of 2-D vs. 3-D objects on neural activation and behavior.

 

Article Citation:

The multisensory and multidimensional nature of object representation

Hellen Kyler

Journal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:1, 130-133

JNP Micro Podcast: Onion Skin or AHP firing scheme?

In this podcast, coauthor Mohamed H. Mousa highlights the newly published research titled "Onion skin is not a universal firing pattern for spinal motoneurons: simulation study." The study reports two contrasting schemes, namely the "onion skin" and the "AHP" regarding the relationship between MUs firing rates and recruitment order. Previous studies have examined these schemes phenomenologically, imposing one scheme on the firing-recruitment relationship. Here, the authors employed a high-fidelity computational model that prioritizes biological fidelity and heterogeneity to investigate motoneuron firing schemes without bias towards either scheme. Their objective findings offer an explanation for the longstanding dichotomy on MU firing patterns.

 

Article Citation:

Onion skin is not a universal firing pattern for spinal motoneurons: simulation study

Mohamed H. Mousa, Nathan P. Wages, and Sherif M. Elbasiouny

Journal of Neurophysiology 2024 132:1, 240-258

JNP Micro Podcast: Switching Neuron Contributions to Second Network

In this episode, coauthor Savanna-Rae H. Fahoum dives into her recent research, shedding light on "Switching Neuron Contributions to Second Network Activity" and "Neuropeptide Modulation of Bidirectional Internetwork Synapses." Collaborating with Dawn M. Blitz, they utilize rhythmic neuronal networks in crabs as a model to explore the complex interactions between these networks and neurons capable of switching their network participation. Their findings reveal that when a neuron transitions into dual-network activity, only the second network influences its activity within that context. Furthermore, while the switching neuron can effectively coordinate second network neurons and regulate their activity levels, it's not always indispensable, suggesting a nuanced regulation of switching neurons that challenges the traditional view of them merely as followers in additional networks.

 

Switching neuron contributions to second network activity

Savanna-Rae H. Fahoum and Dawn M. Blitz

Journal of Neurophysiology 2024 131:2, 417-434

 

https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00149.2024

JNP Micro Podcast: Pontine Reticular Nuclei Scales with Handgrip Force

In this episode, Justin W. Andrushko discusses the recently published research titled "Activity in the pontine reticular nuclei scales with handgrip force in humans." In this study, the authors used a task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm to show that activity in the pontine reticular nuclei scales linearly with increasing force during a handgrip task. These findings directly support recently proposed hypotheses that the reticulospinal tract may play an important role in modulating force production in humans.

 

Article Citation:

Activity in the pontine reticular nuclei scales with handgrip force in humans

Tyler L. Danielson, Layla A. Gould, Jason M. DeFreitas, Rob J. MacLennan, Chelsea Ekstrand, Ron Borowsky, Jonathan P. Farthing, and Justin W. Andrushko

Journal of Neurophysiology 2024 131:5, 807-814

JNP Micro Podcasts: Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission in the Kölliker-Fuse of Rett Syndrome mice

In this episode of JNP's micro podcasts, Jessica R. Whitaker-Fornek of the University of Michigan Medical School discusses the recently published research titled "Inhibitory synaptic transmission is impaired in the Kölliker-Fuse of male, but not female, Rett syndrome mice." 

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Kölliker-Fuse (KF) neurons in acute brain slices from male Rett syndrome (RTT) mice receive reduced inhibitory synaptic inputs compared with wild-type littermates. In female RTT mice, inhibitory transmission was not different in KF neurons compared with controls. The results from this study show that sex-specific alterations in synaptic transmission occur in the KF of RTT mice.

 

---

Inhibitory synaptic transmission is impaired in the Kölliker-Fuse of male, but not female, Rett syndrome mice

Jessica R. Whitaker-Fornek, Paul M. Jenkins, and Erica S. Levitt

Journal of Neurophysiology 2023 130:6, 1578-1587

JNP Micro Podcasts: Game-based Rotational Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Adaptation

In this episode Mark F. Walker of Case Western Reserve University, discusses the recently published research titled "Short-term learning of the vestibulo-ocular reflex induced by a custom interactive computer game."

 

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of a customized computer game to induce motor learning in the high-frequency rotational vestibulo-ocular reflex. It provides a physiological basis for the deployment of this technology to clinical vestibular rehabilitation.

 

Article Citation:

Short-term learning of the vestibulo-ocular reflex induced by a custom interactive computer game

Qi Li, Honglu Xu, Weicong Chen, Andrew Su, Michael J. Fu, and Mark F. Walker

Journal of Neurophysiology 2024 131:1, 16-27

 

JNP Micro Podcasts: Visual Strategy and Force-Steadiness in Older Adults

In this podcast Brittany Heintz Walters of Seattle University discusses the recently published research titled "Visual feedback and declines in attention are associated with altered visual strategy during a force-steadiness task in older adults." 

 

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study contributes novel findings of age-related changes in visual strategy and associations with attentional deficits during hand motor tasks. Older adults used fewer saccades than young adults and with higher versus lower gain visual feedback during a force-steadiness task. A subset of older adults used an altered visual strategy when allocating attention across multiple tasks. Given that this subset demonstrated attentional deficits, the altered visual strategy could serve to indicate motor and/or cognitive impairments.

 

Article Citation:

Visual feedback and declines in attention are associated with altered visual strategy during a force-steadiness task in older adults

Brittany Heintz Walters, Wendy E. Huddleston, Kristian O’Connor, Jinsung Wang, Marie Hoeger Bement, and Kevin G. Keenan

Journal of Neurophysiology 2023 130:5, 1309-1320