| NE-Munroe-Meyer Institute of Genetics & Rehabilitation, UCEDD/LEND |
| Program Type | UCEDD |
Fiscal Year |
2016
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| Date of Publication | 02/2015 |
Author(s) | Padmashri Ragunathan; Anand Suresh |
| Type of Material |
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| Motor skill learning is dependent on astrocytic activity |
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Neural Plasticity
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| Publisher |
0 |
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| Brief Description |
Motor-skill learning induces changes in synaptic structure and function in the primary motor cortex through the involvement of a long-term potentiation- (LTP-) like mechanism. Although there is evidence that calcium-dependent release of gliotransmitters by astrocytes plays an important role in synaptic transmission and plasticity, the role of astrocytes in motor-skill learning is not known. To test the hypothesis that astrocytic activity is necessary for motor-skill learning, we perturbed astrocytic function using pharmacological and genetic approaches. We find that perturbation of astrocytes either by selectively attenuating IP3R2 mediated astrocyte Ca2+ signaling or using an astrocyte specific metabolic inhibitor fluorocitrate (FC) results in impaired motor-skill learning of a forelimb reaching-task in mice. Moreover, the learning impairment caused by blocking astrocytic activity using FC was rescued by administration of the gliotransmitter D-serine. The learning impairments are like |
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| Target Audience |
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| Ordering Information |
| Name |
Shelley Smith, Ph.D.
|
| Address |
|
| Phone |
402-559-5314 |
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|
| Email |
[email protected] |
| To Obtain Copies (URL or Email) |
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/np/2015/938023/abs/ |
