Astrocyte-neuron energetic interaction in dendritic integration of excitatory synaptic inputs

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K18344
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neurophysiology / General neuroscience
• Research Institution: Jikei University School of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Nagase Masashi 東京慈恵会医科大学, 医学部, ポスト・ドクトラルフェロー (40749462)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 樹状突起内統合 / アストロサイト / ラクテート / 扁桃体 / エネルギー代謝 / パッチクランプ / カルシウムイメージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

I aimed to reveal the roles of astrocyte-neuron energetic interaction　in maintaining excitatory synaptic inputs from distinct origins and the mechanisms of dendritic integration of these inputs. I focused on the central amygdala because the inputs from two distinct origins form excitatory synapses on the distinct dendritic compartments, spines and dendritic shafts. I found that energy supply through lactate transfer from astrocytes was indispensable to maintain excitatory synaptic transmissions at both spine and shaft excitatory synapses. I also found that calcium rises associated with these synaptic inputs were observed at distinct dendritic compartments and propagating into the overlapping compartments in a manner that depends on the location of calcium rise initiation and the frequency of the synaptic inputs.

Free Research Field

神経科学