Biomaterial Database

The computational role of dopamine D1 receptors in working memory. 2002

Daniel Durstewitz, and Jeremy K Seamans

AE Biopsychologie, Facultät für Psychologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany. Daniel.Durstewitz@ruhr-uni-bochum.de

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is essential for working memory, which is the ability to transiently hold and manipulate information necessary for generating forthcoming action. PFC neurons actively encode working memory information via sustained firing patterns. Dopamine via D1 receptors potently modulates sustained activity of PFC neurons and performance in working memory tasks. In vitro patch-clamp data have revealed many different cellular actions of dopamine on PFC neurons and synapses. These effects were simulated using realistic networks of recurrently connected assemblies of PFC neurons. Simulated D1-mediated modulation led to a deepening and widening of the basins of attraction of high (working memory) activity states of the network, while at the same time background activity was depressed. As a result, self-sustained activity was more robust to distracting stimuli and noise. In this manner, D1 receptor stimulation might regulate the extent to which PFC network activity is focused on a particular goal state versus being open to new goals or information unrelated to the current goal.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008568	Memory	Complex mental function having four distinct phases: (1) memorizing or learning, (2) retention, (3) recall, and (4) recognition. Clinically, it is usually subdivided into immediate, recent, and remote memory.
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D009415	Nerve Net	A meshlike structure composed of interconnecting nerve cells that are separated at the synaptic junction or joined to one another by cytoplasmic processes. In invertebrates, for example, the nerve net allows nerve impulses to spread over a wide area of the net because synapses can pass information in any direction.	Neural Networks (Anatomic),Nerve Nets,Net, Nerve,Nets, Nerve,Network, Neural (Anatomic),Networks, Neural (Anatomic),Neural Network (Anatomic)
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D017447	Receptors, Dopamine D1	A subfamily of G-PROTEIN-COUPLED RECEPTORS that bind the neurotransmitter DOPAMINE and modulate its effects. D1-class receptor genes lack INTRONS, and the receptors stimulate ADENYLYL CYCLASES.	Dopamine D1 Receptors,Dopamine-D1 Receptor,D1 Receptors, Dopamine,Dopamine D1 Receptor,Receptor, Dopamine-D1