匈牙利实验医学研究所László Acsády和Nóra Hádinger共同合作，近期取得重要工作进展。他们研究发现可以通过皮质第5层锥体细胞对丘脑网状核的区域进行选择性控制。相关研究成果2022年12月22日在线发表于《自然-神经科学》杂志上。

据介绍，负责丘脑自上而下控制的皮质丘脑通路具有一个典型的组织机构，使得每个皮质区域都将第6层（L6）和第5层（L5）的输出发送到丘脑。

研究人员展示了小鼠皮质丘脑通路组织机构的性质、区域特异性差异。具体而言，额叶皮层的L5锥体细胞（而不是其他皮层区域）与抑制性丘脑网状核（TRN）建立单突触连接。额叶L5-TRN通路与L6-TRN投射平行，但具有明显的形态学和生理学特征。L5接触的TRN细胞的精确放电输出与皮质同步水平相关。L5-TRN连接的光遗传学扰动破坏了皮质和TRN活动之间的紧密联系。L5驱动的TRN细胞支配参与额叶皮层活动控制的丘脑核。

这些数据表明，额叶皮层的功能需要高度特化的皮层丘脑内抑制过程的控制。

附：英文原文

Title: Region-selective control of the thalamic reticular nucleus via cortical layer 5 pyramidal cells

Author: Hdinger, Nra, Bsz, Emlia, Tth, Boglrka, Vantomme, Gil, Lthi, Anita, Acsdy, Lszl

Issue&Volume: 2022-12-22

Abstract: Corticothalamic pathways, responsible for the top-down control of the thalamus, have a canonical organization such that every cortical region sends output from both layer 6 (L6) and layer 5 (L5) to the thalamus. Here we demonstrate a qualitative, region-specific difference in the organization of mouse corticothalamic pathways. Specifically, L5 pyramidal cells of the frontal cortex, but not other cortical regions, establish monosynaptic connections with the inhibitory thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN). The frontal L5–TRN pathway parallels the L6–TRN projection but has distinct morphological and physiological features. The exact spike output of the L5-contacted TRN cells correlated with the level of cortical synchrony. Optogenetic perturbation of the L5–TRN connection disrupted the tight link between cortical and TRN activity. L5-driven TRN cells innervated thalamic nuclei involved in the control of frontal cortex activity. Our data show that frontal cortex functions require a highly specialized cortical control over intrathalamic inhibitory processes.

DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01217-z

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-022-01217-z