Motor-Skill Learning Is Dependent on Astrocytic Activity
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 synap...
Main Authors: | , , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Hindawi Limited
2015-01-01
|
Series: | Neural Plasticity |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/938023 |
id |
doaj-986ac879892e422cbb47960e9d4bc2db |
---|---|
record_format |
Article |
spelling |
doaj-986ac879892e422cbb47960e9d4bc2db2020-11-24T22:32:12ZengHindawi LimitedNeural Plasticity2090-59041687-54432015-01-01201510.1155/2015/938023938023Motor-Skill Learning Is Dependent on Astrocytic ActivityRagunathan Padmashri0Anand Suresh1Michael D. Boska2Anna Dunaevsky3Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USADepartment of Developmental Neuroscience, Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USADepartment of Radiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USADepartment of Developmental Neuroscience, Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USAMotor-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 likely caused by impaired LTP as FC blocked LTP in slices and prevented motor-skill training-induced increases in synaptic AMPA-type glutamate receptor in vivo. These results support the conclusion that normal astrocytic Ca2+ signaling during a reaching task is necessary for motor-skill learning.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/938023 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Ragunathan Padmashri Anand Suresh Michael D. Boska Anna Dunaevsky |
spellingShingle |
Ragunathan Padmashri Anand Suresh Michael D. Boska Anna Dunaevsky Motor-Skill Learning Is Dependent on Astrocytic Activity Neural Plasticity |
author_facet |
Ragunathan Padmashri Anand Suresh Michael D. Boska Anna Dunaevsky |
author_sort |
Ragunathan Padmashri |
title |
Motor-Skill Learning Is Dependent on Astrocytic Activity |
title_short |
Motor-Skill Learning Is Dependent on Astrocytic Activity |
title_full |
Motor-Skill Learning Is Dependent on Astrocytic Activity |
title_fullStr |
Motor-Skill Learning Is Dependent on Astrocytic Activity |
title_full_unstemmed |
Motor-Skill Learning Is Dependent on Astrocytic Activity |
title_sort |
motor-skill learning is dependent on astrocytic activity |
publisher |
Hindawi Limited |
series |
Neural Plasticity |
issn |
2090-5904 1687-5443 |
publishDate |
2015-01-01 |
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 likely caused by impaired LTP as FC blocked LTP in slices and prevented motor-skill training-induced increases in synaptic AMPA-type glutamate receptor in vivo. These results support the conclusion that normal astrocytic Ca2+ signaling during a reaching task is necessary for motor-skill learning. |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/938023 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT ragunathanpadmashri motorskilllearningisdependentonastrocyticactivity AT anandsuresh motorskilllearningisdependentonastrocyticactivity AT michaeldboska motorskilllearningisdependentonastrocyticactivity AT annadunaevsky motorskilllearningisdependentonastrocyticactivity |
_version_ |
1725734684850126848 |