Altered Firing Output of VIP Interneurons and Early Dysfunctions in CA1 Hippocampal Circuits in the 3xTg Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Core Concepts

Altered firing patterns of VIP-expressing interneuron-specific (I-S3) cells initiate early-stage dysfunction in hippocampal CA1 circuits, potentially influencing the progression of Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Abstract

The study examines the properties of VIP/calretinin-coexpressing I-S3 cells in the 3xTg mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) at early stages of pathology. The key findings are: VIP-expressing interneurons in the CA1 hippocampal region accumulate intracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) in 3-month-old 3xTg mice, but their density remains unaffected. I-S3 cells in 3xTg mice exhibit elongated action potentials and decreased firing rates, which is associated with reduced inhibition of CA1 interneurons. The heightened activity of CA1 interneurons, particularly during spatial decision-making and object exploration tasks, is not due to increased excitatory drive but rather stems from the reduced inhibitory tone from I-S3 cells. The altered recruitment of CA1 interneurons impacts the activation of CA1 principal cells, suggesting early disruptions in CA1 network functionality. These findings indicate that the modified firing patterns of I-S3 cells might initiate early-stage dysfunction in hippocampal CA1 circuits, potentially influencing the progression of AD pathology.

Stats

The study reports the following key metrics and figures: "Specifically, I-S3 cells displayed elongated action potentials and decreased firing rates, which was associated with a reduced inhibition of CA1 INs and their higher recruitment during spatial decision-making and object exploration tasks." "Furthermore, the activation of CA1 PCs was also impacted, signifying early disruptions in CA1 network functionality." "Consequently, the firing rate of I-S3 cells, which provide inhibition to CA1 INs, was significantly reduced."

Quotes

"These findings suggest that altered firing patterns of I-S3 cells might initiate early-stage dysfunction in hippocampal CA1 circuits, potentially influencing the progression of AD pathology." "Accordingly, the heightened activity of CA1 interneurons, particularly during spatial decision-making and object exploration tasks, is not due to increased excitatory drive but rather stems from the reduced inhibitory tone from I-S3 cells."

Key Insights Distilled From

Altered firing output of VIP interneurons and early dysfunctions in CA1 hippocampal circuits in the 3xTg mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

by Michaud,F., ... at www.biorxiv.org 01-13-2024

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.01.12.575331v1

Deeper Inquiries

How do the changes in I-S3 cell firing patterns and the resulting alterations in CA1 network activity relate to the specific cognitive deficits observed in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease

The changes in I-S3 cell firing patterns and the resulting alterations in CA1 network activity play a crucial role in the specific cognitive deficits observed in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. I-S3 cells, which co-express calretinin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, provide disinhibition to principal excitatory cells in the hippocampal CA1 region. The altered firing patterns of I-S3 cells, characterized by elongated action potentials and decreased firing rates, lead to reduced inhibition of CA1 interneurons. This results in higher recruitment of CA1 interneurons during spatial decision-making and object exploration tasks. The dysregulation of inhibitory circuits in the hippocampus, particularly involving I-S3 cells, can disrupt the balance between excitation and inhibition, impairing synaptic plasticity induction, and ultimately leading to memory dysfunction. Therefore, the changes in I-S3 cell firing patterns contribute to the cognitive deficits observed in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease by disrupting the normal functioning of hippocampal circuits involved in memory formation.

What other hippocampal interneuron subtypes might be affected by the early accumulation of intracellular Aβ, and how do these changes contribute to the overall disruption of hippocampal circuit function

In addition to I-S3 cells, other hippocampal interneuron subtypes may be affected by the early accumulation of intracellular Aβ in Alzheimer's disease. Parvalbumin-expressing (PV-INs) and somatostatin-expressing (SOM-INs) interneurons are among the interneuron subtypes that could be impacted by Aβ accumulation. Postmortem data from AD patients has shown diminished numbers of SOM-INs in the temporal cortex, while the populations of PV-INs and calretinin-expressing (CR-INs) cells remain relatively unaffected. The synaptic rewiring in SOM-INs due to decreased cholinergic drive has been documented in AD-like pathology in mice, leading to memory deficits. The alterations in these interneuron subtypes can disrupt the inhibitory control of principal cells in the hippocampus, affecting information processing, memory encoding, and consolidation. The changes in PV-INs and SOM-INs, along with the dysregulation of I-S3 cells, contribute to the overall disruption of hippocampal circuit function in Alzheimer's disease, leading to cognitive impairments.

Could targeting the specific mechanisms underlying the altered firing properties of I-S3 cells provide a potential therapeutic avenue for restoring hippocampal network dynamics and cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease

Targeting the specific mechanisms underlying the altered firing properties of I-S3 cells could provide a potential therapeutic avenue for restoring hippocampal network dynamics and cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease. By focusing on modulating the firing patterns of I-S3 cells, interventions could aim to normalize the inhibitory tone of CA1 interneurons and restore the balance between excitation and inhibition in the hippocampal circuitry. Strategies that enhance the firing rate and action potential characteristics of I-S3 cells could help improve the disinhibition provided to principal excitatory cells, thereby promoting proper synaptic plasticity induction and memory formation. Additionally, therapies targeting the preservation of interneuron subtypes, such as PV-INs and SOM-INs, could further contribute to restoring hippocampal network function. By addressing the early dysfunctions in hippocampal circuits, particularly involving I-S3 cells, therapeutic interventions could potentially mitigate cognitive deficits and memory impairments in Alzheimer's disease.