A series of experiments are aimed at learning how neurons in the dorsal horn of the mammalian spinal cord are synaptically connected. The focus will be on neurons in the deep layers, Rexed's laminae III to VI, a synaptic station for fibers of tactile, hair and muscle receptors and an area from which several major ascending sensory tracts originate. The basic anatomical and physiological principles that govern local synaptic interactions between dorsal horn neurons will be investigated in a new in vitro mammalian spinal cord slice preparation that permits spinal neurons to be functionally identified according to their input from cutaneous receptors. Simultaneous, intracellular recordings will be sought using two, independently targetable micropipette electrodes. Synaptic linkage between pairs of neurons will be directly tested and characterized according to whether it is excitatory or inhibitory and whether local synaptic transmission in the dorsal horn is mediated via axonal or dendrodendritic pathways. We will investigate how activity in these local circuits modulates responses of dorsal horn neurons to cutaneous stimuli. Direct anatomical evidence of local connectivity between dorsal horn neurons will be sought, with an emphasis on how these connections are spatially organized onto postsynaptic neurons by iontophoretically depositing horseradish peroxidase or other intracellular markers into identified neurons. Other experiments will seek to determine the ionic basis for synaptic potentials mediated by local connections and to identify possible neurotransmitters that mediate local synaptic transmission in the dorsal horn. The results of this work will facilitate an understanding of signal processing in major somatosensory pathways and local somatic motor control pathways. These insights are essential for a knowledgeable approach to sensory deficits and central pain secondary to spinal cord injury and disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS025771-04
Application #
3411213
Study Section
Neurology B Subcommittee 2 (NEUB)
Project Start
1988-08-01
Project End
1993-07-31
Budget Start
1991-08-01
Budget End
1992-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
078861598
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
Ku, Wen-hsin; Schneider, Stephen P (2011) Multiple T-type Ca2+ current subtypes in electrophysiologically characterized hamster dorsal horn neurons: possible role in spinal sensory integration. J Neurophysiol 106:2486-98
Zhang, W; Schneider, S P (2011) Short-term modulation at synapses between neurons in laminae II-V of the rodent spinal dorsal horn. J Neurophysiol 105:2920-30
Schneider, Stephen P (2008) Local circuit connections between hamster laminae III and IV dorsal horn neurons. J Neurophysiol 99:1306-18
Schneider, Stephen P; Walker, Tracy M (2007) Morphology and electrophysiological properties of hamster spinal dorsal horn neurons that express VGLUT2 and enkephalin. J Comp Neurol 501:790-809
Schneider, Stephen P (2005) Mechanosensory afferent input and neuronal firing properties in rodent spinal laminae III-V: re-examination of relationships with analysis of responses to static and time-varying stimuli. Brain Res 1034:71-89
Alvarez, Francisco J; Villalba, Rosa M; Zerda, Ricardo et al. (2004) Vesicular glutamate transporters in the spinal cord, with special reference to sensory primary afferent synapses. J Comp Neurol 472:257-80
Schneider, S P (2003) Spike frequency adaptation and signaling properties of identified neurons in rodent deep spinal dorsal horn. J Neurophysiol 90:245-58
Schneider, S P; Lopez, M (2002) Immunocytochemical localization of glutamic acid decarboxylase in physiologically identified interneurons of hamster spinal laminae III-V. Neuroscience 115:627-36
Schneider, S P; Eckert 3rd, W A; Light, A R (1998) Opioid-activated postsynaptic, inward rectifying potassium currents in whole cell recordings in substantia gelatinosa neurons. J Neurophysiol 80:2954-62
Schneider, S P; Sandiford, D R; Kavookjian, A M et al. (1995) Synaptic connectivity of local circuit neurons in laminae III and IV of hamster spinal cord. J Comp Neurol 355:380-91

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