• C G Perk, J R Wickens, and B I Hyland.
• Department of Physiology, Otago School of Medical Sciences, Brain Health Research Centre, and Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; Department of Anatomy, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand. Electronic address: chris.perk@otago.ac.nz.
• Neuroscience. 2015 May 21;294:215-26.

AbstractLocal circuits within the striatum of the basal ganglia include a small number of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic fast-spiking interneurons (FSI). The number of these cells is reduced in disorders of behavioral control, but it is unknown whether this is accompanied by altered electrophysiological properties. The genetically hypertensive (GH) rat strain exhibits impulsiveness and hyperactivity. We investigated if resting-state FSI activity is affected in this strain using extracellular recordings. We also examined the effect of systemic amphetamine (AMPH), a stimulant drug used in the treatment of these particular behavioral deficits. Putative FSI (pFSI) were encountered less often in GH rats compared to the Wistar control strain. pFSI in GH rats also exhibited a higher mean firing rate, higher intraburst firing rate, lower interburst interval, and shorter bursts compared to controls. AMPH increased the mean overall firing rate of Wistar rat pFSI but did not significantly alter the firing properties of this subtype in GH rats. These differences in the resting-state electrophysiological activity of pFSI in GH rats point to them as a cell type of particular interest in understanding striatal functioning across different strains.Copyright © 2015 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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