Consequences of tuning network function by tonic and phasic locus coeruleus output and stress: Regulating detection and discrimination of peripheral stimuli.

Consequences of tuning network function by tonic and phasic locus coeruleus output and stress: Regulating detection and discrimination of peripheral stimuli.
Brain Res. 2018 Jun 13;:
Authors: Devilbiss DM
Abstract
Flexible and adaptive behaviors have evolved with increasing complexity and numbers of neuromodulator systems. The neuromodulatory locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system is central to regulating cognitive function in a behaviorally-relevant and arousal-dependent manner. Through its nearly ubiquitous efferent projections, the LC-NE system acts to modulate neuron function on a cell-by-cell basis and exert a spectrum of actions across different brain regions to optimize target circuit function. As LC neuron activity, NE signaling, and arousal level increases, cognitive performance improves over an inverted-U shaped curve. Additionally, LC neurons burst phasically in relation to novel or salient sensory stimuli and top-down decision- or response-related processes. Together, the variety of LC activity patterns and complex actions of the LC-NE system indicate that the LC-NE system may dynamically regulate function of target neural circuits. The manner in which neural networks encode, represent, and perform neurocomputations continue to be revealed. This has improved our ability to understand the optimization of neural circuits by NE and generate flexible and adaptive goal-directed behaviors. In this review, the rat vibriss...

Source: Brain Research - June 13, 2018 Category: Neurology Authors: Devilbiss DM Tags: Brain Res Source Type: research