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The corpus callosum modulates spindle-burst activity within homotopic regions of somatosensory cortex in newborn rats
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

The corpus callosum modulates spindle-burst activity within homotopic regions of somatosensory cortex in newborn rats

Amy Jo Marcano-Reik and Mark S Blumberg
The European journal of neuroscience, Vol.28(8), pp.1457-1466
10/2008
DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2008.06461.x
PMCID: PMC2669778
PMID: 18973571
url
http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-9568.2008.06461.xView
Open Access

Abstract

The corpus callosum, a major interhemispheric fiber tract, mediates communication between homotopic regions within the primary somatosensory cortex (S1). Recently, in 1- to 6-day-old rats, brief bursts of oscillatory activity - called spindle-bursts (SBs) - were described in cortical somatosensory areas following sensory feedback from sleep-related myoclonic twitches or specific peripheral stimulation. To determine whether interhemispheric communication via the corpus callosum modulates the expression of SBs during this early period of development, we investigated the spontaneous expression of SBs in unanesthetized 1- to 6-day-old rats as well as SBs evoked by plantar surface stimulation of the forepaw. We hypothesized that surgically disrupting transcallosal communication (i.e. with callosotomy) or unilateral pharmacological manipulation of S1 activity (e.g. by blocking muscarinic receptors) would alter S1 activity in one or both hemispheres. First, callosotomy doubled the rate of spontaneous, twitch-related SBs in left and right S1s by reducing the interval between successive SBs. Second, unilateral infusion into the left S1 of the muscarinic receptor antagonist, scopolamine, inhibited SBs in response to right forepaw stimulation; importantly, SBs were now disinhibited in the right S1 to right forepaw stimulation, thus 'unmasking' an ipsilateral representation. Subsequent callosotomy reinstated contralateral SB responses in the left S1. Finally, tactile and proprioceptive stimulation produced dissociable neurophysiological S1 responses; specifically, SBs were produced in response to proprioceptive, but not tactile, stimulation. We conclude that the corpus callosum modulates functionally inhibitory interactions between homotopic regions in left and right S1s during the early developmental period when organized neurophysiological activity is first detected in the neocortex.
Animals, Newborn Physical Stimulation Proprioception - physiology Somatosensory Cortex - growth & development Rats Male Receptors, Muscarinic - metabolism Touch Perception - physiology Corpus Callosum - anatomy & histology Somatosensory Cortex - anatomy & histology Action Potentials - physiology Animals Receptors, Muscarinic - drug effects Biological Clocks - physiology Muscarinic Antagonists - pharmacology Neurons - physiology Female Corpus Callosum - growth & development Functional Laterality - physiology

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