Site-specific inhibition of the thalamic reticular nucleus induces distinct modulations in sleep architecture

Visocky, V., Morris, B. J. , Dunlop, J., Brandon, N., Sakata, S. and Pratt, J. A. (2023) Site-specific inhibition of the thalamic reticular nucleus induces distinct modulations in sleep architecture. European Journal of Neuroscience, (doi: 10.1111/ejn.15908) (PMID:36623837) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) is crucial for the modulation of sleep-related oscillations. The caudal and rostral subpopulations of the TRN exert diverse activities, which arise from their interconnectivity with all thalamic nuclei, as well as other brain regions. Despite the recent characterization of the functional and genetic heterogeneity of the TRN, the implications of this heterogeneity for sleep regulation have not been assessed. Here, using a combination of optogenetics and electrophysiology in C57BL/6 mice, we demonstrate that caudal and rostral TRN modulations are associated with changes in cortical alpha and delta oscillations and have distinct effects on sleep stability. Tonic silencing of the rostral TRN elongates sleep episodes, while tonic silencing of the caudal TRN fragments sleep. Overall, we show evidence of distinct roles exerted by the rostral and caudal TRN in sleep regulation and oscillatory activity.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The study was founded by the BBSRC industrial CASE PhD Studentship with AstraZeneca partnership.
• Keywords: Sleep, thalamic reticular nucleus, sleep spindles, EEG.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Morris, Professor Brian

Creator Roles

Morris, B. J.: Conceptualization, Supervision, Funding acquisition, Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Visocky, V., Morris, B. J., Dunlop, J., Brandon, N., Sakata, S., and Pratt, J. A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: European Journal of Neuroscience
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0953-816X
• ISSN (Online): 1460-9568
• Published Online: 09 January 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in European Journal of Neuroscience 2023
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License