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NMDARs Translate Sequential Temporal Information into Spatial Maps

Authors :
Hollis T. Cline
Masaki Hiramoto
Source :
iScience, Vol 23, Iss 6, Pp 101130-(2020), iScience
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
Elsevier BV, 2020.

Abstract

Summary Spatial representations of the sensory world are important for brain function. Timing is an essential component of sensory information. Many brain circuits transform the temporal sequence of input activity into spatial maps; however, the mechanisms underlying this transformation are unclear. Different N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) response magnitudes result in synaptic potentiation or depression. We asked whether NMDAR response magnitude also affects the transformation of temporal information into directional spatial maps. We quantified retinotectal axon branch dynamics in Xenopus optic tectum in response to temporal sequences of visual stimulation. Reducing NMDAR responses by 50% inverts the spatial distribution of branch dynamics along the rostrocaudal axis in response to temporal patterns of input, suggesting that the magnitude of NMDAR signaling encodes the temporal sequence of inputs and translates the temporal code into a directional spatial map using structural plasticity-based branch dynamics. We discuss how this NMDAR-dependent decoding mechanism retrieves spatial information from sequential afferent activity.<br />Graphical Abstract<br />Highlights • NMDAR response magnitude encodes the temporal sequence of inputs • NMDAR mechanism decodes spatial information from sequential input activity • NMDAR attenuation inverts the temporal to spatial transformation • NMDAR activity alters the spatial distribution of dynamic and stable branches<br />Developmental Neuroscience; Sensory Neuroscience ; Techniques in Neuroscience

Details

ISSN :
25890042
Volume :
23
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
iScience
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....c087aa0999600fc642858634b770db17