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J Physiol Volume 578, Number 1, 259-273, January 1, 2007 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2006.118448
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NEUROSCIENCE

Synaptic kainate currents reset interneuron firing phase

Ellen J. Yang1, Alexander Z. Harris1 and Diana L. Pettit1

1 Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA

Hippocampal interneuron activity has been linked to epileptogenesis, seizures and the oscillatory synaptic activity detected in behaving rats. Interneurons fire at specific times in the rhythmic cycles that comprise these oscillations; however, the mechanisms controlling these firing patterns remain unclear. We have examined the role of synaptic input in modulating the firing of spontaneously active rat hippocampal interneurons. We find that synaptic glutamate receptor currents of 20–30 pA increase instantaneous firing frequency and reset the phase of spontaneously firing CA1 stratum oriens interneurons. Kainate receptor (KAR)-mediated currents are particularly effective at producing this phase reset, while AMPA receptor currents are relatively ineffective. The efficacy of KAR-mediated currents is probably due to their 3-fold longer decay. Given the small amplitude of the currents needed for this phase reset, coincident activation of only a few KAR-containing synapses could synchronize firing in groups of interneurons. These data suggest that KARs are potent modulators of circuit behaviour and their activation alters hippocampal interneuron output.

(Received 1 August 2006; accepted after revision 24 October 2006; first published online 26 October 2006)
Corresponding author D.L. Pettit: Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave., K426, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.  Email: dpettit{at}aecom.yu.edu




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