Research article summary (published 13 Sep 2009):

Spontaneous activity in the developing mouse midbrain driven by an external pacemaker.

Full Abstract

Central nervous system (CNS) development depends upon spontaneous activity (SA) to establish networks. We have discovered that the mouse midbrain has SA expressed most robustly at embryonic day (E) 12.5. SA propagation in the midbrain originates in midline serotonergic cell bodies contained within the adjacent hindbrain and then passes through the isthmus along ventral midline serotonergic axons. Once within the midbrain, the wave bifurcates laterally along the isthmic border and then propagates rostrally. Along this trajectory, it is carried by a combination of GABAergic and cholinergic neurons. Removing the hindbrain eliminates SA in the midbrain. Thus, SA in the embryonic midbrain arises from a single identified pacemaker in a separate brain structure, which drives SA waves across both regions of the developing CNS. The midbrain can self-initiate activity upon removal of the hindbrain, but only with pharmacological manipulations that increase excitability. Under these conditions, new initiation foci within the midbrain become active. Anatomical analysis of the development of the serotonergic axons that carry SA from the hindbrain to the midbrain indicates that their increasing elongation during development may control the onset of SA in the midbrain.

Author information

Author/s: Rockhill, Wendy (W); Kirkman, Jennifer L (JL); Bosma, Martha M (MM);

Affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Journal: Developmental neurobiology (Dev Neurobiol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 69 (issue 11) : pp 689-704

Dates: Created 2009/08/17; Completed 2009/10/29;

PMID: 19449313, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/29/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Action Potentials - drug effects; physiology Age Factors Animals Bicuculline - pharmacology Calcium - metabolism Choline O-Acetyltransferase - metabolism Embryo, Mammalian Glutamate Decarboxylase - metabolism Image Processing, Computer-Assisted Immunohistochemistry

Immunohistochemistry Mesencephalon - drug effects; growth & development; physiology Mice Nerve Net - drug effects; physiology Neurons - drug effects; physiology Picrotoxin - pharmacology Rhombencephalon - drug effects; physiology Serotonin - metabolism Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase - metabolism gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - metabolism

Associated Chemicals: Picrotoxin (124-87-8) ; Bicuculline (485-49-4) ; Serotonin (50-67-9) ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (56-12-2) ; Calcium (7440-70-2) ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase (EC 1.14.16.2) ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.6) ; Glutamate Decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.15)

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