Aberrant Thalamocortical Synchrony Associated with Behavioral Manifestations in Git1 −/− Mice

Abstract

Cross-talk between the thalamus and cortex has been implicated in attention but its pathogenic role in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remains unknown. Here, I demonstrate that Git1 (-/-) mice, previously proposed as an animal model for ADHD, show abnormal theta oscillation in the thalamus. Multi-electrode recordings revealed that Git1 (-/-) mice have hyper-synchrony of neural activities between the thalamus and cortex. The abnormal thalamic oscillation and thalamocortical synchrony in Git1 (-/-) mice were markedly reduced by amphetamine. In addition, ethosuximide ameliorates abnormal thalamic oscillation and ADHD-like hyperactivity shown in Git1 (-/-) mice. My study suggests critical roles of GIT1 and thalamocortical neural circuitry in ADHD.