Tonic Zinc Inhibits Spontaneous Neuronal Firing in Dorsal Cochlear Nucleus Principal Neurons

[attheedgeofscience]

Abstract
In many synapses of the CNS, zinc is packaged into glutamatergic vesicles and co-released with glutamate during neurotransmission. Following synaptic release, the mobilized zinc modulates ligand- and voltage-gated channels and receptors, functioning as an inhibitory neuromodulator. However, the origin and role of tonic, as opposed to phasically released, zinc are less well understood. We investigated tonic zinc in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN), a zinc-rich, auditory brainstem nucleus. Our results show that application of a high-affinity, extracellular zinc chelator (ZX1) enhances spontaneous firing in DCN principal neurons, consistent with tonic zinc inhibition of this function. The enhancing effect was prevented by prior application of strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist, suggesting that ZX1 interferes with zinc-mediated modulation of tonic glycinergic inhibition. In particular, ZX1 decreased the amplitude and the frequency of glycinergic miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents in DCN principal neurons, from which we conclude that tonic zinc enhances glycinergic inhibitory neurotransmission. The observed zinc-mediated inhibition in spontaneous firing is present in mice lacking the vesicular zinc transporter (ZnT3), which requires that non-vesicular zinc modulates spontaneous firing. A noise-induced increase in the spontaneous firing in DCN principal neurons is crucial for the induction of tinnitus. In this context, tonic zinc provides a powerful break of spontaneous firing that may protect against pathological run-up of spontaneous activity in the DCN.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25796568

 

[jazz]

Thank you! Good information.

A noise-induced increase in the spontaneous firing in DCN principal neurons is crucial for the induction of tinnitus. In this context, tonic zinc provides a powerful break of spontaneous firing that may protect against pathological run-up of spontaneous activity in the DCN.

Yes, this further supports his thesis on tinnitus induction.

 

[locoyeti]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25796568

Is there a way to get this paper? I have lost my access to scientific publications. @Codaz ?

 

[valeri]

Do we take zinc now to help t?

 

[Danny Boy]

Do we take zinc now to help t?

Tonic zinc? So liquid zinc?

 

[Sharpfire]

Is there a way to get this paper? I have lost my access to scientific publications. @Codaz ?

I am able to get access to the paper, I can message you the PDF if you wish.

EDIT: Nvm just attached it instead. No idea why there's a water mark on it tho...

 

[Danny Boy]

I am able to get access to the paper, I can message you the PDF if you wish.

EDIT: Nvm just attached it instead. No idea why there's a water mark on it tho...

So what kind of zinc do we need?

 

[Sharpfire]

So what kind of zinc do we need?

Not too sure what they mean by 'Tonic' but I think they're just talking about normal Zinc.

Could be wrong but as far as I'm aware, the paper doesn't conclude that Zinc is able to reduce tinnitus, but that it is involved in some of the mechanisms behind it.

 

[Danny Boy]

Not too sure what they mean by 'Tonic' but I think they're just talking about normal Zinc.

Could be wrong but as far as I'm aware, the paper doesn't conclude that Zinc is able to reduce tinnitus, but that it is involved in some of the mechanisms behind it.

Very confusing, don't understand why they couldn't be clearer.

 

[ruben ruiz]

I thought Zinc was good for our conditions? Confusing is right!

 

[DebInAustralia]

Tonic and phasic inhibition...think it relates to the manner in which zinc is released alongside glutamic acid...ie constantly (tonic) or intermittently (phasic)?

 

[DebInAustralia]

I think ? (I think???) Zinc is an inhibitory neuromodulator...

 

[Lisa88]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25796568

Thanks for this, ATEOS. I do believe that inhibition at the DCN of the auditory cortex may be key to reducing t.
What form of Zinc is this zx1 chelate? i.e. What is the closest supplement available?
Thanks.
@jazz Just in case you have any ideas too? Cheers.

 

[Stink]

Thanks for this, ATEOS. I do believe that inhibition at the DCN of the auditory cortex may be key to reducing t.
What form of Zinc is this zx1 chelate? i.e. What is the closest supplement available?
Thanks.
@jazz Just in case you have any ideas too? Cheers.

you didnt understand this study, debinaustralia did

Tonic and phasic inhibition...think it relates to the manner in which zinc is released alongside glutamic acid...ie constantly (tonic) or intermittently (phasic)?

 

[attheedgeofscience]

What form of Zinc is this zx1 chelate? i.e. What is the closest supplement available?

I am afraid I have absolutely no opinion on such matters (the study in the article is an in vitro investigation after all). The best thing you can do is ask @Zimichael (who is part of Team Trobalt) and ask him to take it up with Prof. Tzounopoulos the next time they have a phone call (e.g. "What practical relevance might the findings in the paper have?").

Team Trobalt is assisted in the background by (other) researchers who possibly could help with certain questions, but my 6th sense tells me that the paper has more theoretical than practical relevance (at this point), so-to-speak.

 

[Lisa88]

you didnt understand this study, debinaustralia did

Yes. I understood it (read the full study). Not your odd comment.
Excited re inhibition in the DCN with the zx1 applied.
Just need to find practical application of the zx1, maybe in a specific zinc chelate or other form that we could all try.

 

[attheedgeofscience]

What form of Zinc is this zx1 chelate? i.e. What is the closest supplement available?

See this:

The "zinc" DCN thing...Well I knew what his answer would be and apologized in advance for asking it. He had no comment on how, or what, or where, that may be useful to people taking zinc in any form or method. No idea, and not what his research was about. Again, too close to "medical" for comfort.

And now you know why I was reluctant to comment on the paper as I (correctly) anticipated the position of Prof. Tzounopoulos i.e. it would be silly of me to start making remarks - in public - on a theoretical paper that even the author himself is not willing to comment on (in terms of its practical "utility value", so to speak....).