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Scientists have observed local field potential theta rhythms (3–12 Hz) in the hippocampus for decades, but understanding the mechanisms underlying their generation is complicated by their diversity in pharmacological and frequency profiles. In addition, interactions with other brain structures and oscillatory drives to the hippocampus during distinct brain states has made it difficult to identify hippocampus-specific properties directly involved in theta generation. To overcome this, we develop cellular-based network models using a whole hippocampus in vitro preparation that spontaneously generates theta rhythms. Building on theoretical and computational analyses, we find that spike frequency adaptation and postinhibitory rebound constitute a basis for theta generation in large, minimally connected CA1 pyramidal (PYR) cell network models with fast-firing parvalbumin-positive (PV+) inhibitory cells. Sparse firing of PYR cells and large excitatory currents onto PV+ cells are present as in experiments. The particular theta frequency is more controlled by PYR-to-PV+ cell interactions rather than PV+-to-PYR cell interactions. We identify two scenarios by which theta rhythms can emerge, and they can be differentiated by the ratio of excitatory to inhibitory currents to PV+ cells, but not to PYR cells. Only one of the scenarios is consistent with data from the whole hippocampus preparation, which leads to the prediction that the connection probability from PV+ to PYR cells needs to be larger than from PYR to PV+ cells. Our models can serve as a platform on which to build and develop an understanding of in vivo theta generation.

Funding for Open Access provided by the UMD Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund., An important contribution to neural circuit oscillatory dynamics is the ongoing activation and inactivation of hyperpolarization-activated currents (/h). Network synchrony dynamics play an important role in the initial processing of odor signals by the main olfactory bulb (MOB) and accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). In the mouse olfactory bulb, we show that /h is present in granule cells (GCs), the most prominent inhibitory neuron in the olfactory bulb, and that /h underlies subthreshold resonance in GCs. In accord with the properties of /h, the currents exhibited sensitivity to changes in extracellular K+ concentration and ZD7288 (4-ethylphenylamino-1,2-dimethyl-6-methylaminopyrimidin chloride), a blocker of /h. ZD7288 also caused GCs to hyperpolarize and increase their input resistance, suggesting that /h is active at rest in GCs. The inclusion of cAMP in the intracellular solution shifted the activation of /h to less negative potentials in the MOB, but not in the AOB, suggesting that channels with different subunit composition mediate /h in these regions. Furthermore, we show that mature GCs exhibit /h-dependent subthreshold resonance in the theta frequency range (4–12 Hz). Another inhibitory subtype in the MOB, the periglomerular cells, exhibited /h-dependent subthreshold resonance in the delta range (1–4 Hz), while principal neurons, the mitral cells, do not exhibit /h-dependent subthreshold resonance. Importantly, /h size, as well as the strength and frequency of resonance in GCs, exhibited a postnatal developmental progression, suggesting that this development of /h in GCs may differentially contribute to their integration of sensory input and contribution to oscillatory circuit dynamics.

Scientists have observed local field potential theta rhythms (3–12 Hz) in the hippocampus for decades, but understanding the mechanisms underlying their generation is complicated by their diversity in pharmacological and frequency profiles. In addition, interactions with other brain structures and oscillatory drives to the hippocampus during distinct brain states has made it difficult to identify hippocampus-specific properties directly involved in theta generation. To overcome this, we develop cellular-based network models using a whole hippocampusin vitropreparation that spontaneously generates theta rhythms. Building on theoretical and computational analyses, we find that spike frequency adaptation and postinhibitory rebound constitute a basis for theta generation in large, minimally connected CA1 pyramidal (PYR) cell network models with fast-firing parvalbumin-positive (PV+) inhibitory cells. Sparse firing of PYR cells and large excitatory currents onto PV+cells are present as in experiments. The particular theta frequency is more controlled by PYR-to-PV+cell interactions rather than PV+-to-PYR cell interactions. We identify two scenarios by which theta rhythms can emerge, and they can be differentiated by the ratio of excitatory to inhibitory currents to PV+cells, but not to PYR cells. Only one of the scenarios is consistent with data from the whole hippocampus preparation, which leads to the prediction that the connection probability from PV+to PYR cells needs to be larger than from PYR to PV+cells. Our models can serve as a platform on which to build and develop an understanding ofin vivotheta generation.