Effects of chronic exposure to low dose THIP on brainstem neuronal excitability in mouse models of Rett syndrome: Evidence from symptomatic females

Abstract Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations of the MECP2 gene, affecting predominantly females. One of the characteristic features of the disease is defective brainstem autonomic function. In Mecp2 −/Y mice, several groups of brainstem neurons are overly excitable, which causes destabilization of neuronal networks for the autonomic control. We have previously shown that the extrasynaptic GABA A receptor agonist THIP relieves many RTT-like symptoms in Mecp2 −/Y mice. Although neuronal activity is inhibited by acute THIP exposure, how a chronic treatment affects neuronal excitability remains elusive. Thus, we performed studies to address whether increased excitability occurs in brainstem neurons of female Mecp2 +/− mice, how the MeCP expression affects the neuronal excitability, and whether chronic THIP exposure improves the neuronal hyperexcitability. Symptomatic Mecp2 +/− (s Mecp2 +/− ) female mice were identified with a two-step screening system. Whole-cell recording was performed in brain slices after a prior exposure of the s Mecp2 +/− mice to a 5-week low-dose THIP. Neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) and the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Me5) showed excessive firing activity in the s Mecp2 +/− mice. THIP pretreatment reduced the hyperexcitability of both LC and Me5 neurons in the s Mecp2 +/− mice, to a similar level as their counterparts in Mecp2 −/Y mice. In identified LC neurons, the hyperexcitability appeared to be determined by not only the MeCP2 expression, but also their environmental cues. The alleviation of LC neuronal hyperexcitability seems to benefit brainstem autonomic function as THIP also improved breathing abnormalities of these s Mecp2 +/− mice.