Autocrine Neuromodulation and Network Activity Patterns in the Locus Coeruleus of Newborn Rat Slices

Already in newborns, the locus coeruleus (LC) controls multiple brain functions and may have a complex organization as in adults. Our findings in newborn rat brain slices indicate that LC neurons (i) generate at ~1 Hz a ~0.3 s-lasting local field potential (LFP) comprising summated phase-locked single spike discharge, (ii) express intrinsic ‘pacemaker’ or ‘burster’ properties and (iii) receive solely excitatory or initially excitatory–secondary inhibitory inputs. μ-opioid or ɑ(2) noradrenaline receptor agonists block LFP rhythm at 100–250 nM whereas slightly lower doses transform its bell-shaped pattern into slower crescendo-shaped multipeak bursts. GABA(A) and glycine receptors hyperpolarize LC neurons to abolish rhythm which remains though unaffected by blocking them. Rhythm persists also during ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) inhibition whereas <10 mV depolarization during iGluR agonists accelerates spiking to cause subtype-specific fast (spindle-shaped) LFP oscillations. Similar modest neuronal depolarization causing a cytosolic Ca(2+) rise occurs (without effect on neighboring astrocytes) during LFP acceleration by CNQX activating a TARP-AMPA-type iGluR complex. In contrast, noradrenaline lowers neuronal Ca(2+) baseline via ɑ(2) receptors, but evokes an ɑ(1) receptor-mediated ‘concentric’ astrocytic Ca(2+) wave. In summary, the neonatal LC has a complex (possibly modular) organization to enable discharge pattern transformations that might facilitate discrete actions on target circuits.