[Abstract Title]. - Society for Neuroscience

Poster
229. Neuronal and Glial Proliferation III
Time: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Program#/Poster#: 229.4/A4
Topic: A.02.a. Proliferation
Support: NIH Grant NS41228
NIH Grant NS048256
Title: Striatal neurons provide a relay for olfaction and SVZ neurogenesis
Authors: *K. A. DAVE, S. YOUNG, A. BORDEY;
Dept Neurosurg, Yale Sch. Med., New Haven, CT
Abstract: Olfactory activity, seizures, and neurodegenerative disorders influence the production
of newly-born olfactory bulb (OB) interneurons within the subventricular zone (SVZ). However,
how olfaction influences neurogenesis is unknown. We hypothesize that the striatum is a relay
network for olfactory input and can influence SVZ neurogenesis. The SVZ is sandwiched
between the lateral ventricle and the striatum. Here we test whether striatal neurons signal to
SVZ neural progenitor cells.
We used morphological characterization, electrophysiology, and calcium (Ca 2+ ) imaging to show
that GABAergic striatal neurons contribute to signaling in the SVZ. Morphological data indicate
that 75% of neurons within the striatum bordering the SVZ send processes into the SVZ near
both neuroblasts and astrocytes; 80% of those are medium spiny neurons (n=130, postnatal day
15-23). Patch clamp recordings indicate that medium spiny neurons fire action potentials (APs)
in the range of 6-10 Hz with depolarization. APs are sensitive to both GABAA receptor blocker
bicuculline and tetrodotoxin (TTX). Depolarizations of striatal neurons with patch clamp
recordings elicit Ca 2+ responses in SVZ cells surrounding visualized neuronal processes. Elicited
SVZ Ca 2+ responses are blocked by TTX. SVZ Ca 2+ activity increases 20-40% after action
potential induction of a nearby striatal neuron (n=5 slices, n=81 cells analyzed). Striatal neurons
and their processes are visualized with Alexa 568 in the patch pipette, and SVZ cells are loaded
with Fluo4-AM Ca 2+ dye.
Collecitively, our results demonstrate that the striatum is in the ideal position to relay inputs from
the olfactory bulb to the SVZ. Future experiments will test whether striatal spiny neurons
projecting to the SVZ receive functional connections from the OB.
Disclosures: K.A. Dave , None; S. Young, None; A. Bordey, None.