Inverted-U dopamine D1 receptor actions on prefrontal neurons engaged in working memory

Susheel Vijayraghavan, Min Wang, Shari G. Birnbaum, Graham V. Williams, Amy F T Arnsten

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

790 Scopus citations

Abstract

Dopamine (DA) D1 receptor (D1R) stimulation in prefrontal cortex (PFC) produces an 'inverted-U' dose-response, whereby either too little or too much D1R stimulation impairs spatial working memory. This response has been observed across species, including genetic linkages with human cognitive abilities, PFC activation states and DA synthesis. The cellular basis for the inverted U has long been sought, with in vitro intracellular recordings supporting a variety of potential mechanisms. The current study demonstrates that the D1R agonist inverted-U response can be observed in PFC neurons of behaving monkeys: low levels of D1R stimulation enhance spatial tuning by suppressing responses to nonpreferred directions, whereas high levels reduce delay-related firing for all directions, eroding tuning. These sculpting actions of D1R stimulation are mediated in monkeys and rats by cyclic AMP intracellular signaling. The evidence for an inverted U at the cellular level in behaving animals promises to bridge in vitro molecular analyses with human cognitive experience.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)376-384
Number of pages9
JournalNature neuroscience
Volume10
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Inverted-U dopamine D1 receptor actions on prefrontal neurons engaged in working memory'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this