Haploinsufficiency of Tsc2 Leads to Hyperexcitability of Medial Prefrontal Cortex via Weakening of Tonic GABAB Receptor-mediated Inhibition

摘要

Loss-of-function mutation in one of the tumor suppressor genes TSC1 or TSC2 is associated with several neurological and psychiatric diseases, including autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). As an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, E/I ratio is believed to contribute to the development of these disorders, we investigated synaptic transmission during the first postnatal month using the Tsc2(+/ -) mouse model. Electrophysiological recordings were performed in acute brain slices of medial prefrontal cortex. E/I ratio at postnatal day (P) 15-19 is increased in Tsc2(+/ -) mice as compared with wildtype (WT). At P25-30, facilitated GABAergic transmission reduces E/I ratio to the WT level, but weakening of tonic GABA(B) receptor (GABA(B)R)-mediated inhibition in Tsc2(+/ -) mice leads to hyperexcitability both at single cell and neuronal network level. Short (1 h) preincubation of P25-30 Tsc2(+/ -) slices with baclofen restores the GABA(B)R-mediated inhibition and reduces network excitability. Interestingly, the same treatment at P15-19 leads to weakening of GABA(B)R-mediated inhibition. We hypothesize that a dysfunction of tonic GABA(B)R-mediated inhibition might contribute to the development of ASD symptoms and suggest that GABA(B)R activation within an appropriate time window may be considered as a therapeutic target in ASD.