As correntes subliminares determinam propriedades da membrana neuronal, tais como a resistência de entrada (Rin) e a constante de tempo (tm). Nesta tese, estudamos mecanismos pelos quais duas correntes subliminares (corrente ativada por hiperpolarização, Ih, e corrente de sódio persistente, INaP) determinam Rin e tm em dois tipos de neurônio: neurônio fusiforme do núcleo coclear dorsal e célula piramidal da região CA1 do hipocampo. A tese está dividida em três partes: a primeira estuda como a Ih atua concomitantemente com a corrente de potássio retificadora de entrada (IKIR) para manter Rin estacionária entre neurônios fusiformes com heterogeneidade de disparo (silenciosos, sem disparos espontâneos, e ativos, com disparos espontâneos regulares). Na segunda parte, usa-se uma combinação de modelagem computacional com a técnica experimental de dynamic-clamp em neurônios piramidais de fatias hipocampais para mostrar que a criação de uma região de inclinação negativa na curva I/V (condutância de inclinação negativa) pela ativação rápida da INaP é responsável pelo aumento de Rin e tm e pela amplificação e prolongamento dos potenciais pós-sinápticos das células. Finalmente, a terceira parte estabelece o mecanismo pelo qual a INaP e Ih controlam a tm da célula. Para isso, propomos um novo conceito denominado \"condutância de inclinação dinâmica\" que leva em consideração a cinética das correntes e explica os efeitos observados das cinéticas de Ih e INaP sobre tm. Com base nos resultados, prevemos que uma Ih com cinética rápida atenua e encurta os potenciais pós-sinápticos excitatórios muito mais que uma Ih com cinética lenta. / Subthreshold currents determine the neuronal membrane properties, such as the input resistance (Rin) and the membrane time constant (tm). In this thesis, we studied the mechanisms by which two subthreshold currents (the hyperpolarization-activated current, Ih, and the persistent sodium current, INaP) determine Rin and tm in two types of neurons: the fusiform neuron of the dorsal cochlear nucleus and the pyramidal cell of the CA1 region of the hippocampus. The thesis is divided in three parts: the first part studies how Ih acts concomitantly with the inwardly rectifying potassium current (IKIR) to equalize Rin among fusiform neurons with firing heterogeneity (quiet, without spontaneous firing and active, with regular spontaneous firing). In the second part, we used a combination of computational modeling with the experimental technique dynamic-clamp in pyramidal cells of hippocampal slices to show that the creation of a negative slope region in the I/V curve (negative slope conductance) by the fast activation of the INaP is responsible for the increase of Rin and tm, and for the amplification and prolongation of postsynaptic potentials in these cells. Finally, the third part establishes the mechanism whereby INaP and Ih control tm in the cell. For this, we propose a new concept called \"dynamic slope conductance\", which takes into consideration the current kinetics and explains the observed effects of Ih and INaP kinetics on tm. Based on the results, we predict that an Ih current with fast kinetics attenuates and shortens excitatory postsynaptic potentials strongly than an Ih current with slower kinetics.

As correntes subliminares determinam propriedades da membrana neuronal, tais como a resistência de entrada (Rin) e a constante de tempo (tm). Nesta tese, estudamos mecanismos pelos quais duas correntes subliminares (corrente ativada por hiperpolarização, Ih, e corrente de sódio persistente, INaP) determinam Rin e tm em dois tipos de neurônio: neurônio fusiforme do núcleo coclear dorsal e célula piramidal da região CA1 do hipocampo. A tese está dividida em três partes: a primeira estuda como a Ih atua concomitantemente com a corrente de potássio retificadora de entrada (IKIR) para manter Rin estacionária entre neurônios fusiformes com heterogeneidade de disparo (silenciosos, sem disparos espontâneos, e ativos, com disparos espontâneos regulares). Na segunda parte, usa-se uma combinação de modelagem computacional com a técnica experimental de dynamic-clamp em neurônios piramidais de fatias hipocampais para mostrar que a criação de uma região de inclinação negativa na curva I/V (condutância de inclinação negativa) pela ativação rápida da INaP é responsável pelo aumento de Rin e tm e pela amplificação e prolongamento dos potenciais pós-sinápticos das células. Finalmente, a terceira parte estabelece o mecanismo pelo qual a INaP e Ih controlam a tm da célula. Para isso, propomos um novo conceito denominado \"condutância de inclinação dinâmica\" que leva em consideração a cinética das correntes e explica os efeitos observados das cinéticas de Ih e INaP sobre tm. Com base nos resultados, prevemos que uma Ih com cinética rápida atenua e encurta os potenciais pós-sinápticos excitatórios muito mais que uma Ih com cinética lenta. / Subthreshold currents determine the neuronal membrane properties, such as the input resistance (Rin) and the membrane time constant (tm). In this thesis, we studied the mechanisms by which two subthreshold currents (the hyperpolarization-activated current, Ih, and the persistent sodium current, INaP) determine Rin and tm in two types of neurons: the fusiform neuron of the dorsal cochlear nucleus and the pyramidal cell of the CA1 region of the hippocampus. The thesis is divided in three parts: the first part studies how Ih acts concomitantly with the inwardly rectifying potassium current (IKIR) to equalize Rin among fusiform neurons with firing heterogeneity (quiet, without spontaneous firing and active, with regular spontaneous firing). In the second part, we used a combination of computational modeling with the experimental technique dynamic-clamp in pyramidal cells of hippocampal slices to show that the creation of a negative slope region in the I/V curve (negative slope conductance) by the fast activation of the INaP is responsible for the increase of Rin and tm, and for the amplification and prolongation of postsynaptic potentials in these cells. Finally, the third part establishes the mechanism whereby INaP and Ih control tm in the cell. For this, we propose a new concept called \"dynamic slope conductance\", which takes into consideration the current kinetics and explains the observed effects of Ih and INaP kinetics on tm. Based on the results, we predict that an Ih current with fast kinetics attenuates and shortens excitatory postsynaptic potentials strongly than an Ih current with slower kinetics.

Kyoto University (京都大学) / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第18992号 / 工博第4034号 / 新制||工||1621 / 31943 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科電気工学専攻 / (主査)教授 篠原 真毅, 教授 和田 修己, 教授 山川 宏 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第18992号 / 工博第4034号 / 新制||工||1621(附属図書館) / 31943 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科電気工学専攻 / (主査)教授 篠原 真毅, 教授 和田 修己, 教授 山川 宏 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

Heterozygous and recently identified homozygous mutations in the SPTBN2 gene, encoding b-III spectrin, are implicated in spinocerebellar ataxia type 5 (SCA5) and spectrin-associated autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia type 1 (SPARCA1), respectively. Our mouse model, lacking b-III spectrin (KO), mimics the progressive human phenotype displaying motor deficiencies as well as reduced Purkinje cell firing frequency followed by dendritic tree degeneration and cell death. The aims of this study were to evaluate progression of Purkinje cell degeneration following loss of b-III spectrin function and determine whether the reintroduction of C-terminus (C-trm) of b-III spectrin to the cerebellum is enough to halt, alleviate or reverse the disease phenotype. Additionally, this study investigated whether the abnormal electrophysiological and morphological phenotypes of Purkinje cells from KO mice are re-capitulated in a primary cerebellar culture and if so, whether they could be rescued by modulating calcium signaling. Morphological and histological analyses revealed that Purkinje cell degeneration is not uniform throughout the cerebellum of KO mice with Purkinje cells from posterior cerebellar regions possessing significantly smaller dendritic trees when compared to anterior cerebellum (p=0.0003, N=4-6, n=11-29). Similarly, significant reduction in Purkinje cell density was observed in posterior, not anterior regions of KO mice when compared to WT animals (p=0.014, N=3) and reduced tonic firing is most significant in Purkinje cells from the posterior cerebellum compared to WT mice (p=0.0328, N=3-6, n=11-29), with posterior KO PCs appearing to have elevated input resistance. Two-week expression of C-trm b-III spectrin in 3-month old KO animals significantly reduced Purkinje cell input resistance when compared to non-transduced cells (p=0.0139, N=4-5, n=15), but no effect was seen 9 months after viral injection. In contrast, a difference in cell surface area was no longer detected between WT and KO animals at 12 months of age following 9-months of viral expression. Nevertheless, using the elevated beam test motor deterioration was still observed 5 months after surgery (p=0.0023, N=4). In contrast, earlier stereotaxic injections at 6-weeks of age had a positive effect on mice motor performance with no deterioration in performance detected 5 months after the surgery. Latency to stay on the rotarod at 3 rpm was also significantly extended 6 months after stereotaxic injections at 6-weeks of age with slower motor deterioration (p=0.0348, N=6). In primary cerebellar cultures, Purkinje cells from KO animals exhibit an abnormal morphology with significantly more dendritic branches (p < 0.0001, N=4-7, n=35-69) and a larger total dendritic length (p=0.0079). Chronic application of 2 μM mibefradil, a T-type calcium channel blocker, was observed to reduce total dendritic length and branching in KO animal cultures bringing these morphological measurements closer to WT Purkinje cell levels. Finally although after 14 days in vitro 40% of Purkinje cells were found to be spontaneously firing, no significant difference in firing frequency (p=0.9434) or input resistance (p=0.8434, N=4, n=6-10) was detectable between WT and KO cultures. In summary, Purkinje cells in posterior cerebellar regions of KO mice were found to be more susceptible to dendritic degeneration and cellular death than cells in the anterior cerebellum. Expression of C-trm b-III spectrin at 3 months of age had an immediate effect on cell input resistance and a modest effect on Purkinje cell morphology but no effect on motor decline. Viral injections at 6-weeks of age, however, significantly slowed motor decline. Although an abnormal KO cell morphology could be successfully recapitulated in primary cell culture, it was not possible to discern any differences in electrophysiological properties. Nevertheless, the abnormal cell morphology was successfully modified in vitro by manipulating calcium signaling via T-type calcium channels.

The aim of this work is to create an automated workplace for measuring the basic parameters of audio amplifiers using a graphical programming environment LabVIEW. Subsequently, the functionality will be verified in practical measurements on the real amplifier.

Les interneurones de la couche moléculaire du cervelet (ICM: cellules en panier et cellules étoilées) sont connectés par des synapses électriques fréquentes et puissantes chez les jeunes rats et souris autour de la fin de la deuxième semaine postnatale. Les courants capacitifs des ICM montrent une composante lente qui reflète la charge des interneurones couplés électriquement. Leur analyse permet de quantifier le nombre de cellules directement couplées à une cellule et le nombre équivalent de cellules couplées (Alcami et Marty, soumis), et d'établir une difference de couplage entre les cellules en panier et les cellules étoilées pendant le développement postnatal. Elle a mené à proposer une topologie de réseau des cellules en panier. La force du couplage peut être modulée par les courants intrinsèques, dont Ih dans le domaine hyperpolarisant. Les synapses électriques modifient la propagation et les patrons d'activité dans le réseau des ICM en réponse à une excitation du réseau.L'étude de la connectivité des ICM par des synapses chimiques GABAergiques nous a mené à réexaminer les sources d'erreur des mesures d'activité électrique en configuration cellule attachée (Alcami et coll., 2012). Les mesures en cellule attachée peuvent modifier l'activité électrique des ICM en introduisant un couplage conductif entre la pipette d'enregistrement et l'intérieur cellulaire, résultant d'une combinaison de mécanismes de couplage passifs et actifs. / Molecular layer interneurons of the cerebellum (MLIs: basket cells and stellate cells) are connected by frequent and strong electrical synapses in young rats and mice around the end of the second postnatal week. Capacitive currents of MLIs show a slow component that reflects the charge of electrically-coupled MLIs. The analysis of capacitive currents makes it possible to quantify the number of directly connected cells and the equivalent number of coupled cells (Alcami and Marty, submitted). They were used to show a difference in coupling between basket and stellate cells and propose a model of the basket cell coupled network. Electrical coupling strength can be modulated by intrinsic currents, like the h current in the hyperpolarizing range. Electrical synapses modify the propagation and the patterns of activity in the MLI network, when the network is excited.The study of connectivity of MLIs by chemical GABAergic synapses led us to reevaluate the sources of error of cell-attached recordings (Alcami et al., 2012). Cell-attached measurements can modify cellular electrical activity of MLIs, by introducing a conductif coupling between the recording pipette and the cell interior, resulting from a combination of passive and active coupling.