Age dependent differential effect of norepinephrine on the pyramidal neurons of the anterior piriform cortex in mouse model of early odor preference learning

Ghosh, Abhinaba (2016) Age dependent differential effect of norepinephrine on the pyramidal neurons of the anterior piriform cortex in mouse model of early odor preference learning. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Rodent pups show preference to an odor when it is paired with a tactile stimulation- stroking the back with a paintbrush- only within a critical period of postnatal (P) 10-12 days of age. Norepinephrine (NE) released from the locus coeruleus during stroking plays a crucial role in this learning. Here we established the learning model in mouse pups and showed that it was β-adrenoceptor dependent. Next we investigated the developmental changes in pyramidal cell excitability and NE responsiveness in the anterior piriform cortex layer II neurons. Two concentrations (0.1 and 10 μM) of norepinephrine did not alter intrinsic properties in either group, although there was an age-related difference in those properties. In P8–11 pups, norepinephrine at 0.1 μM presynaptically decreased miniature inhibitory postsynaptic current (IPSC) and increased miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) frequencies, opposite to the effect of norepinephrine at 10 μM. This suggested involvement of different receptors with different concentrations. In P14 and older pups both concentrations promoted inhibition.

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