Opposite effects of ketamine and deep brain stimulation on rat thalamocortical information processing.

Sensory and cognitive deficits are common in schizophrenia. They are associated with abnormal brain rhythms, including disturbances in γ frequency (30-80 Hz) oscillations (GFO) in cortex-related networks. However, the underlying anatomofunctional mechanisms remain elusive.

Seizure-like thalamocortical rhythms initiate in the deep layers of the cortex in a co-culture model.

The oscillatory rhythms underlying many physiological and pathological states, including absence seizures, require both the thalamus and cortices for full expression. A co-culture preparation combining cortical and thalamic explants provides a unique model for investigating how such oscillations initiate and spread. Here we investigated the dynamics of synchronized thalamocortical activity by simultaneous measurement of field-potential recordings and rapid imaging of Ca(2+) transients by fluorescence methods.

Excitotoxic-mediated transcriptional decreases in HCN2 channel function increase network excitability in CA1.

Changes in the conductance of the hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channel that mediates Ih are proposed to contribute to increased network excitability. Synchronous neuronal burst activity is a good reflection of network excitability and can be generated in isolated hippocampal slice cultures by removing Mg2+ from the extracellular fluid. We demonstrate that Ih contributes to this activity by increasing both the frequency and duration of bursting events.

Sub region-specific modulation of synchronous neuronal burst firing after a kainic acid insult in organotypic hippocampal cultures.

Background: Excitotoxicity occurs in a number of pathogenic states including stroke and epilepsy. The adaptations of neuronal circuits in response to such insults may be expected to play an underlying role in pathogenesis. Synchronous neuronal firing can be induced in isolated hippocampal slices and involves all regions of this structure, thereby providing a measure of circuit activity.

Osteoclastic potential of human CFU-GM: biphasic effect of GM-CSF.

Unlabelled: Human osteoclasts can be efficiently generated in vitro from cord blood mononuclear cells and derived CFU-GM colonies. However, CFU-M colonies are poorly osteoclastogenic. Short-term (2-48 h) treatment with GM-CSF stimulates osteoclast formation by proliferating precursors, whereas longer exposure favors dendritic cell formation.