The effect of nucleus reuniens inactivation on neocortical K-complex and hippocampal sharp wave-ripple correlations
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Date
2016
Authors
Kesler, Mitchell T.
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Neuroscience
Abstract
Cortico-hippocampal communication is critical for cognitive processes including behavioural flexibility, and memory formation, consolidation, and retrieval. Nucleus reuniens of the thalamus has been implicated in memory consolidation. Consolidation involves the reactivation of hippocampal ensembles with neocortical memory traces to convert episodic memories to semantic knowledge and is believed to rely on coordinated interactions between sharp wave-ripples (SPWRs) and K-complexes (KCs). The aim of my study was to investigate whether inactivation of reuniens affects SPWR and KC coordination. I found that dialysis of lidocaine into reuniens did not affect the coordination of KCs and SPWRs. While previous studies have demonstrated effective local neural inactivation using lidocaine dialysis, I did not observe any effects that could be used to positively verify a drug effect. The data thus tentatively provide evidence that reuniens does not coordinate KSs and SPWRs. Future studies will be needed using methods for which inactivation can be positively identified.
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Keywords
KCs , lidocaine dialysis , medioventral nucleus , memory consolidation , mPFC , SPWRs