http://www.browndailyherald.com/2019/09/25/metronome-cells-may-play-timekeeping-role-brain/
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‘Metronome cells’ may play timekeeping role in brain
Newly analyzed subset of cells adds information to neuroscience debate
2019
University researchers have discovered a new subset of
cells — “metronome cells” — that may act as timekeepers in the brain, a
finding that contributes new information to one of the biggest debates
in neuroscience.
While scientists have long known about the existence of
cells in the brain that tend to be more reactive to stimuli — called
fast spiking cells — they have long debated the function of a specific
frequency of rhythm produced by those cells, called gamma oscillations.
Some neuroscientists believe that gamma oscillations are at the root of
how the brain functions. Other equally qualified scientists believe that
these rhythms are merely a byproduct of brain activity. “Scientists’
faces will either light up or grow very overcast when someone mentions
gamma oscillation,” explained Christopher Moore, professor of
neuroscience and supervisor of the study.
These gamma oscillations produce structured ripples in the
brain at an interval of 40 Hertz, or 40 cycles per second. This regular
pattern has led scientists to believe that perhaps the gamma
oscillations act as an organizing clock, helping to align and connect
information coming from different areas of the brain. Moore compared
this theory to an orchestra; just as a conductor of an orchestra
connects the various parts, the gamma oscillations have been thought to
have similar function. If the conductor stops, then the whole orchestra
cannot make good music.
But for years, scientists have acknowledged limitations with this theory.
Fast spiking cells and gamma rhythms have been found to
respond to stimulus from outside the body of the cell. This raises
concern if researchers assume that these oscillations act as a
timekeeper; if the conductor is distracted every time they hear a
trumpet, then the orchestra cannot be conducted.
When the researchers analyzed these “metronome cells,” a
subset of fast spiking cells, they found that these cells exhibited
regular ticking and did not react to the outside world. “We looked where
most people didn’t,” said Hyeyoung Shin, who was first author of the
paper and worked alongside Moore. She is now completing her postdoctoral
education in California but was a graduate student at the University at
the time of the study.
These cells were firing gamma rhythms and did not respond
to outer stimulus — both key conditions in finding the timekeeping
program in the brain. This data provides positive evidence for the
hypothesis that links gamma oscillations and brain function.
The researchers say that they arrived at their results “on
accident.” They had originally anticipated studying gamma rhythms in
the brains of mice following rewarded behavior in response to a tapping
stimuli.
Vikaas Sohal, a neuroscientist and psychiatrist who leads a
neuroscience lab at the University of California, San Francisco, sees
this study as “an important step forward” in understanding the
organization in the brain.
Now that the researchers have discovered these metronome
cells, Sohal says it would be interesting to search for these cells in
other parts of the brain, such as the prefrontal cortex. “Understanding
gamma oscillations helps us understand and treat diseases such as
schizophrenia … where gamma oscillations have been found to be in
association,” he added.
As the researchers look more into these metronome cells,
they are finding them “even more fascinating,” Moore said. Although Shin
has left Moore’s lab, the researchers plan to separately expand on this
study.
In further research, scientists could examine
signals in other areas of the brain, whether these cells coordinate
between different parts of the brain and whether there is a genetic
factor that may control these cells.
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