Cited by 51Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchMemory and Neural MechanismsNeural dynamics and brain function

Neurogliaform cells of amygdala: a source of slow phasic inhibition in the basolateral complex

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Mańko, Mirosława, Bienvenu, Thomas C.M., Dalezios, Yannis, Capogna, Marco·2012·The Journal of Physiology

Abstract

Key points The amygdala is a key brain structure implicated in processing emotions and is thought to underlie anxiety‐related behaviours. Interneurons of the basolateral amygdala provide constant silencing of principal cells, and are proven to be active cellular elements during emotional processing. We report here a novel interneuron type of the amygdala, termed neurogliaform cell (NGFC), and study its function by a combination of in vivo and in vitro techniques. NGFCs provide a peculiar cell‐to‐cell form of communication via volume transmission of GABA. In‐depth analysis of specific neuron type is likely to improve the understanding of amygdala circuits in health and disease. Abstract Synaptic inhibition in the amygdala actively participates in processing emotional information. To improve the understanding of interneurons in amygdala networks it is necessary to characterize the GABAergic cell types, their connectivity and physiological roles. We used a mouse line expressing a green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the neuropeptide Y (NPY) promoter. Paired recordings between presynaptic NPY‐GFP‐expressing (+) cells and postsynaptic principal neurons (PNs) of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) were performed. The NPY‐GFP+ neurons displayed small somata and short dendrites embedded in a cloud of highly arborized axon, suggesting a neurogliaform cell (NGFC) type. We discovered that a NPY‐GFP+ cell evoked a GABA A receptor‐mediated slow inhibitory postsynaptic current (IPSC) in a PN and an autaptic IPSC. The slow kinetics of these IPSCs was likely caused by the low concentration and spillover of extracellular GABA. We also report that NGFCs of the BLA fired action potentials phase‐locked to hippocampal theta oscillations in anaesthetized rats. When this firing was re‐played in NPY+‐NGFCs in vitro , it evoked a transient depression of the IPSCs. Presynaptic GABA B receptors and functional depletion of synaptic vesicles determined this short‐term plasticity. Synaptic contacts made by recorded NGFCs showed close appositions, and rarely identifiable classical synaptic structures. Thus, we report here a novel interneuron type of the amygdala that generates volume transmission of GABA. The peculiar functional mode of NGFCs makes them unique amongst all GABAergic cell types of the amygdala identified so far.

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Crossref · 10.1113/jphysiol.2012.236745

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  • NG cells had not been described in BNST, but NG-like cells occur in amygdala.

    “Although, to our knowledge, NG cells have not been described in the BNST before, cells with NG-like anatomy and physiology have been observed within the amygdala (Manko et al., 2012), a structure with related functional roles.”

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Authors
Mańko, M., Bienvenu, T. C. M., Dalezios, Y., & Capogna, M.
Affiliations
  • University of Oxford (GB)
  • University of Crete (GR)
Corresponding author
Capogna, Marco
Venue
The Journal of Physiology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2012-10-19
Volume
590
Issue
22
Pages
5611-5627
ISSN
  • 0022-3751 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-7793
OpenAlex
W2156185464
Cited by
51
References
71
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
FWCI
1.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Journal of Physiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale
  • Medical Research Council
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
Keywords
neurogliaform cells, basolateral amygdala, GABAergic interneurons, GABAA receptor, GABAB receptors, synaptic depression, hippocampal theta oscillations, neuropeptide Y, anxiety, synaptic inhibition
MeSH terms
Action Potentials, Amygdala, Animals, Axons, Dendrites, gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Interneurons, Synaptic Transmission, Neuronal Plasticity, Synapses, Theta Rhythm, GABA Antagonists, Rats, Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials, GABAergic Neurons

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