Regulation of Thalamic Neuron Excitability and Intrathalamic Rhythms by Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

I found that VIP selectively increases the excitability of thalamic relay neurons by producing a long-lasting depolarization. These actions lead to antioscillatory actions of VIP on intrathalamic rhythmic activity (Chapter 2). The excitatory and antioscillatory actions of VIP are predominantly mediated by VPAC2 receptors, and are mediated via the cyclic AMP-dependent second messenger system (Chapter 3). In Chapter 4, I describe experiments in which peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), a closely related peptide to VIP, produces similar actions as VIP. In the chapter 5, I extended my findings regarding VIP actions to the visual thalamus, because my earlier work focused on somatosensory thalamus. I also provide novel data regarding electrophysiological properties of thalamic neurons in dorsal TRN, putative visual TRN. My results suggest that VIP-related peptides depolarize thalamic relay neurons and these actions clearly influence intrathalamic rhythmic activities. These peptides may play a significant role in regulating information transfer through thalamocortical circuits by modulating excitability of thalamocortical neurons.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Molecular and Integrative Physiology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Lee, Sang-Hun

Contributors dc:contributor

• Cox, Charles L.

• Biology, Neuroscience

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3202125

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/87238