Regulation of spine Ca2+ dynamics and spike timing-dependent synaptic plasticity by muscarinic acetylcholine receptors
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bristol
Department Name: Physiology and Pharmacology
Abstract
Our memories define who we are and are therefore fundamental to our existence and mental health. Furthermore, having a "good" memory is perceived to be a major advantage throughout life. Conversely, the loss of memory in pathological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease is tremendously debilitating and stressful. One of the key mechanisms that underlie memory is the ability of nerve cells (neurons) to change the strength of their connections with other neurons. These connections are called synapses and so any change in their strength is called "synaptic plasticity". This process is thought to underlie learning and memory, because memories are likely to be stored in a circuit of interconnected neurons.
Synaptic plasticity is triggered by the influx of calcium ions into small compartments of neurons called spines. Calcium ions pass across the synaptic membrane through proteins called NMDA receptors which are activated by coincident activity in the two neurons that form the synapse. The sensitivity to coincident activity regulates how many calcium ions are allowed into the neuron by the NMDA receptor and therefore controls the induction of synaptic plasticity.
We have recently found that the neurotransmitter acetylcholine that is released in the brain during specific behavioural states can regulate the intrinsic properties of spines and thus control the opening of NMDA receptors and induction of synaptic plasticity. This provides an explanation for the common observation that behavioural states play a major role in determining whether we remember things, or forget them.
We are going to investigate the mechanisms by which acetylcholine controls memory by performing experiments to find out how acetylcholine regulates calcium ion influx through NMDA receptors and therefore the induction of synaptic plasticity. To do this we will fill neurons with dyes that fluoresce when calcium ions are present. We will also measure whether a synapse has strengthened or weakened by recording electrical activity from the neurons. These techniques will enable us to visualize the influx of calcium ions during the process of synaptic plasticity.
This work is important because it will lead to a wealth of new information about synaptic plasticity, and hence learning and memory mechanisms. Dysfunctional synaptic plasticity is thought to underlie the altered neuronal activity in several brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and autism. The most common and effective treatment currently available for Alzheimer's patients are drugs that mimic or enhance the actions of acetylcholine. Therefore, the mechanisms that we will study in this research will add to our knowledge about these debilitating diseases, and may contribute to developing novel therapies.
Synaptic plasticity is triggered by the influx of calcium ions into small compartments of neurons called spines. Calcium ions pass across the synaptic membrane through proteins called NMDA receptors which are activated by coincident activity in the two neurons that form the synapse. The sensitivity to coincident activity regulates how many calcium ions are allowed into the neuron by the NMDA receptor and therefore controls the induction of synaptic plasticity.
We have recently found that the neurotransmitter acetylcholine that is released in the brain during specific behavioural states can regulate the intrinsic properties of spines and thus control the opening of NMDA receptors and induction of synaptic plasticity. This provides an explanation for the common observation that behavioural states play a major role in determining whether we remember things, or forget them.
We are going to investigate the mechanisms by which acetylcholine controls memory by performing experiments to find out how acetylcholine regulates calcium ion influx through NMDA receptors and therefore the induction of synaptic plasticity. To do this we will fill neurons with dyes that fluoresce when calcium ions are present. We will also measure whether a synapse has strengthened or weakened by recording electrical activity from the neurons. These techniques will enable us to visualize the influx of calcium ions during the process of synaptic plasticity.
This work is important because it will lead to a wealth of new information about synaptic plasticity, and hence learning and memory mechanisms. Dysfunctional synaptic plasticity is thought to underlie the altered neuronal activity in several brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and autism. The most common and effective treatment currently available for Alzheimer's patients are drugs that mimic or enhance the actions of acetylcholine. Therefore, the mechanisms that we will study in this research will add to our knowledge about these debilitating diseases, and may contribute to developing novel therapies.
Technical Summary
The influx of Ca2+ through NMDA receptors (NMDARs) into postsynaptic dendritic spines is known to be critical for the induction of both long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD). It has been hypothesized that the amount of Ca2+ entering a postsynaptic spine through NMDARs determines the direction of synaptic plasticity with high [Ca2+]i leading to LTP and lower [Ca2+]i leading to LTD. This hypothesis is fundamental to the study of the mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity therefore it is remarkable that it has not been directly tested at the synapse most often used for studies on synaptic plasticity - the Schaffer collateral synapse in the hippocampus.
We have recently shown that acetylcholine, acting at M1 muscarinic receptors, facilitates the induction of NMDAR-dependent (LTP) at Schaffer collateral synapses in the hippocampus via an inhibition of SK channels (Buchanan et al., 2010). An intriguing outcome of this research is the concept that acetylcholine controls the induction of synaptic plasticity by regulating postsynaptic excitability. However, it is unclear how this regulates spine Ca2+ dynamics during the induction of synaptic plasticity.
We will directly test these questions by imaging spine Ca2+ dynamics during the induction of synaptic plasticity using 2-photon laser scanning microscopy. We will investigate the role of muscarinic M1 receptors and SK channels in regulating Ca2+ entry during synaptic plasticity using a combination of Ca2+ imaging and electrophysiology.
The purpose of the proposed work is to test the regulation of synaptic plasticity by acetylcholine and determine the mechanisms by which this occurs. The outcome of the experiments will provide important data on the role of acetylcholine in synaptic plasticity and by inference the role of acetylcholine in cognitive function in health and disease.
We have recently shown that acetylcholine, acting at M1 muscarinic receptors, facilitates the induction of NMDAR-dependent (LTP) at Schaffer collateral synapses in the hippocampus via an inhibition of SK channels (Buchanan et al., 2010). An intriguing outcome of this research is the concept that acetylcholine controls the induction of synaptic plasticity by regulating postsynaptic excitability. However, it is unclear how this regulates spine Ca2+ dynamics during the induction of synaptic plasticity.
We will directly test these questions by imaging spine Ca2+ dynamics during the induction of synaptic plasticity using 2-photon laser scanning microscopy. We will investigate the role of muscarinic M1 receptors and SK channels in regulating Ca2+ entry during synaptic plasticity using a combination of Ca2+ imaging and electrophysiology.
The purpose of the proposed work is to test the regulation of synaptic plasticity by acetylcholine and determine the mechanisms by which this occurs. The outcome of the experiments will provide important data on the role of acetylcholine in synaptic plasticity and by inference the role of acetylcholine in cognitive function in health and disease.
Planned Impact
Who will benefit from the research?
The public (particularly school pupils and teachers) and wider academic community will benefit from the increase in knowledge about the role of acetylcholine in synaptic plasticity. In addition, sectors of the pharmaceutical industry working to develop effective drug therapies for neurological diseases will also benefit from the proposed work. Indirectly, and in the long term, people suffering from such diseases may also benefit.
How will they benefit from this research?
Since memory is so integral to all our lives, gaining knowledge about the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity is of interest not only to the academic community but also to the wider public.
Public: Our work will impact several public audiences, including school pupils, teachers and the general public. As mentioned above, we know that understanding more about the functioning of the brain, including fundamental processes like learning and memory, is of significant interest to many groups. At a recent public engagement event for schools and families (Changing Perspectives) neuroscience activities were one of the most popular of the range of hands-on science stalls on offer. Other neuroscience activities led by Bristol researchers - for example during Brain Awareness Week and Discover - are equally popular with public audiences, as are public talks on neuroscience topics held regularly by Bristol Neuroscience.
Impacts on the teachers with whom we engage are likely to be significant. The Science Learning Centres are developing continuing professional development programmes that introduce teachers to neuroscience, and organisations such as the University of Bristol-based Neuroeducation Network provide resources for teachers interested in integrating the latest neuroscience research into educational practice. We anticipate that, along with other colleagues working in this field, our research could impact how teachers manage emotional states in the classroom to facilitate learning.
Pharmaceutical industry: Research into numerous neurological diseases such as schizophrenia, autism and Alzheimer's disease has found deficits in synaptic plasticity that could contribute to disease symptoms. Our close working relationship with specific pharmaceutical companies means our work is likely to enhance their understanding of the fundamental science of learning and memory, pharmacological approaches to manipulating it and putative novel drugs and targets. JRM has ongoing collaborations with GSK and Eli Lilly & co (through the Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience) to study the effects of putative muscarinic receptor agonists on synaptic transmission in the hippocampus. Dr John Isaac and JRM co-supervise a postdoctoral researcher at Eli Lilly & co since October 2010 and a CASE award studentship at Bristol University since October 2011. The M1 selective antagonist used in this proposal is part of the ongoing collaboration with GSK. We also collaborate with Neurosearch through an EU funded Marie Curie studentship to study the role of SK channels in synaptic plasticity, an interaction that will have direct impact on the work proposed here. Through the research described in this proposal we can offer these companies academic expertise to further this goal. This is particularly important since GSK and Eli Lilly & co are both developing M1 receptor selective agonists for use in the treatment of cognitive disorders.
The social impact and economic costs of the diseases mentioned above are enormous. Therefore our work will benefit society from the advances we make in investigating mechanisms that may underlie such diseases, and will benefit the economy both in terms of costs saved in care for patients suffering from these conditions, and also in profits from pharmaceuticals developed and sold by UK-based companies. We acknowledge that these indirect benefits may take several years before they are realised.
The public (particularly school pupils and teachers) and wider academic community will benefit from the increase in knowledge about the role of acetylcholine in synaptic plasticity. In addition, sectors of the pharmaceutical industry working to develop effective drug therapies for neurological diseases will also benefit from the proposed work. Indirectly, and in the long term, people suffering from such diseases may also benefit.
How will they benefit from this research?
Since memory is so integral to all our lives, gaining knowledge about the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity is of interest not only to the academic community but also to the wider public.
Public: Our work will impact several public audiences, including school pupils, teachers and the general public. As mentioned above, we know that understanding more about the functioning of the brain, including fundamental processes like learning and memory, is of significant interest to many groups. At a recent public engagement event for schools and families (Changing Perspectives) neuroscience activities were one of the most popular of the range of hands-on science stalls on offer. Other neuroscience activities led by Bristol researchers - for example during Brain Awareness Week and Discover - are equally popular with public audiences, as are public talks on neuroscience topics held regularly by Bristol Neuroscience.
Impacts on the teachers with whom we engage are likely to be significant. The Science Learning Centres are developing continuing professional development programmes that introduce teachers to neuroscience, and organisations such as the University of Bristol-based Neuroeducation Network provide resources for teachers interested in integrating the latest neuroscience research into educational practice. We anticipate that, along with other colleagues working in this field, our research could impact how teachers manage emotional states in the classroom to facilitate learning.
Pharmaceutical industry: Research into numerous neurological diseases such as schizophrenia, autism and Alzheimer's disease has found deficits in synaptic plasticity that could contribute to disease symptoms. Our close working relationship with specific pharmaceutical companies means our work is likely to enhance their understanding of the fundamental science of learning and memory, pharmacological approaches to manipulating it and putative novel drugs and targets. JRM has ongoing collaborations with GSK and Eli Lilly & co (through the Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience) to study the effects of putative muscarinic receptor agonists on synaptic transmission in the hippocampus. Dr John Isaac and JRM co-supervise a postdoctoral researcher at Eli Lilly & co since October 2010 and a CASE award studentship at Bristol University since October 2011. The M1 selective antagonist used in this proposal is part of the ongoing collaboration with GSK. We also collaborate with Neurosearch through an EU funded Marie Curie studentship to study the role of SK channels in synaptic plasticity, an interaction that will have direct impact on the work proposed here. Through the research described in this proposal we can offer these companies academic expertise to further this goal. This is particularly important since GSK and Eli Lilly & co are both developing M1 receptor selective agonists for use in the treatment of cognitive disorders.
The social impact and economic costs of the diseases mentioned above are enormous. Therefore our work will benefit society from the advances we make in investigating mechanisms that may underlie such diseases, and will benefit the economy both in terms of costs saved in care for patients suffering from these conditions, and also in profits from pharmaceuticals developed and sold by UK-based companies. We acknowledge that these indirect benefits may take several years before they are realised.
Organisations
- University of Bristol (Lead Research Organisation)
- Oregon Health and Science University (Collaboration)
- Eli Lilly & Company Ltd (Collaboration)
- National University of Ireland, Maynooth (Collaboration)
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF EXETER (Collaboration)
- University of Bristol (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
Jack Mellor (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Atherton LA
(2015)
Memory trace replay: the shaping of memory consolidation by neuromodulation.
in Trends in neurosciences
Atherton LA
(2016)
Assessment of Methods for the Intracellular Blockade of GABAA Receptors.
in PloS one
Dennis SH
(2016)
Activation of Muscarinic M1 Acetylcholine Receptors Induces Long-Term Potentiation in the Hippocampus.
in Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
Glebov OO
(2015)
Clathrin-independent trafficking of AMPA receptors.
in The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience
Griffith T
(2016)
Control of Ca2+ Influx and Calmodulin Activation by SK-Channels in Dendritic Spines.
in PLoS computational biology
Petrovic MM
(2012)
Inhibition of post-synaptic Kv7/KCNQ/M channels facilitates long-term potentiation in the hippocampus.
in PloS one
Prince L
(2016)
Neuromodulation of the Feedforward Dentate Gyrus-CA3 Microcircuit
in Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience
Teles-Grilo Ruivo LM
(2013)
Cholinergic modulation of hippocampal network function.
in Frontiers in synaptic neuroscience
Tigaret CM
(2013)
Wavelet transform-based de-noising for two-photon imaging of synaptic Ca2+ transients.
in Biophysical journal
Tigaret CM
(2016)
Coordinated activation of distinct Ca(2+) sources and metabotropic glutamate receptors encodes Hebbian synaptic plasticity.
in Nature communications
Description | We have found mechanisms by which we learn and remember information at a cellular and molecular level. We find that during learning the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine facilitates brain plasticity to link certain assemblies of neurons together creating memories. Then during sleep these memories are consolidated by reactivation of these networks in the absence of acetylcholine but use similar molecular mechanisms to link neuronal assemblies together. |
Exploitation Route | By academics, by the pharmaceutical industry and education centres. The mechanisms underlying learning and memory are fundamental for developing drugs to alleviate cognitive dysfunction. Understanding which specific receptors for acetylcholine are involved and how they are activated is important information for developing targetted approaches for cognitive enhancement. Furthermore, understanding how memory consolidation during sleep occurs is important for developing strategies to embed memories on a long-term basis. |
Sectors | Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | In collaboration with Eli Lilly we have developed a research programme to investigate the use of muscarinic compounds as cognitive enhancers. This has also been taken up by a pharmaceutical company SoseiHeptares who specialise in developing highly selective compounds for muscarinic targets. The goal of these collaborations is to develop cognitive enhancing drugs that are capable of selectively altering brain activity and plasticity. Our findings that similar molecular mechanisms underpin memory formation and consolidation during two distinct phases (awake and sleep) contribute to the growing awareness of the importance of sleep for memory consolidation helping the brain to file and sort and prioritise events for future access. |
Sector | Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | Neural adaptation to sensory stimuli by regulation of dendritic spikes and synaptic plasticity. |
Amount | £844,820 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/R002177/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2018 |
End | 09/2022 |
Description | Regulation of plateau potentials by dendritically targeted inhibitory synaptic transmission. |
Amount | £550,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2021 |
End | 03/2024 |
Description | Wellcome Trust investigator award |
Amount | £1,100,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2014 |
End | 03/2019 |
Title | Spine calcium model |
Description | spine calcium model |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | publication Griffith et al PLoS Computational Biology 2016 |
Title | signal denoising |
Description | Method of denoising data using wavelet based mathematics. |
Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
Year Produced | 2013 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Enabled further research on signals from small structures. |
URL | http://data.bris.ac.uk/datasets/dss2hubx4pk9zvg9x83k2mi2/ |
Description | Hippocampal network modelling |
Organisation | University of Exeter |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Experimental data and intellectual input |
Collaborator Contribution | Mathemetical modelling |
Impact | Rackham, OJL, Tsaneva-Atanasova, K, Ganesh, A, and Mellor, JR (2010). A Ca2+-based Computational Model for NMDA Receptor-Dependent Synaptic Plasticity at Individual Postsynaptic Spines in the Hippocampus. Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience 2, 31. Petrovic, MM, Nowacki, J, Olivo, V, Tsaneva-Atanasova, K, Randall, AD & Mellor, JR (2012). Inhibition of post-synaptic Kv7/KCNQ/M channels facilitates Long-Term Potentiation in the Hippocampus. PLoS One 7(2): e30402. Tigaret, CM, Tsaneva-Atanasova, K, Collingridge, GL & Mellor, JR (2013). Wavelet Transform-Based De-Noising for Two-Photon Imaging of Synaptic Ca2+ Transients. Biophysical Journal 104, 1006-17. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Hippocampal network modelling with Clopath |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | experimental data for models. |
Collaborator Contribution | Modelling of hippocampal network |
Impact | Funding of BBSRC grant |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Hippocampal place cell firing patterns |
Organisation | Oregon Health and Science University |
Department | Department of Behavioral Neuroscience |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | All experimental data |
Collaborator Contribution | Intellectual input to spike train analysis |
Impact | Mistry, R, Dennis, S, Frerking, M & Mellor, JR (2011). Dentate Gyrus Granule Cell Firing Patterns Can Induce Mossy Fiber Long-Term Potentiation In Vitro. Hippocampus 21, 1157-68. Isaac, JT, Buchanan, KA, Muller, RU and Mellor, JR (2009). Hippocampal place cell firing patterns can induce long-term synaptic plasticity in vitro. Journal of Neuroscience 29, 6840-6850. |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | Hippocampal place cell recording |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Department | School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Discovering the plasticity potential of naturally occurring spike patterns |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise to record place cell activity in awake behaving animals |
Impact | Sadowski et al., Cell Reports 2016 |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Imaging calcium dynamics in vivo |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Department | School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Measurement of calcium and synaptic dynamics in brain slices |
Collaborator Contribution | Measurement of calcium and synaptic dynamics in awake animals |
Impact | Tigaret et al., 2016 Nat Comms Tigaret et al., 2018 J Neurosci |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | development of cholinergic drugs for cognitive enhancement |
Organisation | Eli Lilly & Company Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Determination of the effects of cholinergic compounds in hippocampal function. Measurement of acetylcholine release in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex |
Collaborator Contribution | Funding of CASE award studentships. In kind contributions of novel drugs. |
Impact | Atherton et al., 2015 Trends in Neurosci Teles Grilo-Riovo et al,. 2017 Cell Reports Teles Grillo-Ruivo and Mellor 2013 Front in Neurosci Chamberlain et al., 2013 J Neurosci Atherton et al., 2017 PLoS ONE |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | measurement of acetylcholine release with biosensors |
Organisation | Maynooth University |
Country | Ireland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Measurement of acetylcholine release in awake behaving mice. |
Collaborator Contribution | Tool development and analysis |
Impact | Teles Grillo-Ruivo et al., 2017 Cell Reports |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Contribution to press articles |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Contributions to media articles on the subject of memory |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2021,2022,2023 |
Description | Press release |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Press releases about our published research (Neuron 2010 and J Neurosci 2011, Nature Neurosci 2012, Cerebral Cortex 2016 and Nature Communications 2016) led to interest from a number of media outlets. Article on our reserach published in New Scientist. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2011,2013,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2021 |
Description | Public lecture |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Organised public lecture on brain imaging. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |