Periglomerular cell action on mitral cells in olfactory bulb shown by current source density analysis.

The sign of action of periglomerular (PG) cells on the apical dendrites of mitral cells in olfactory bulb glomeruli was investigated by constructing current source density (CSD) profiles from potentials evoked by primary olfactory nerve (PON) and lateral olfactory tract (LOT) stimulation. Evoked potentials were recorded and averaged from anesthetized rabbit simultaneously with a 1 X 16 array of electrodes positioned perpendicular to the bulbar surface. A one-dimensional CSD analysis with depth was made in the center of PON- and LOT-evoked potential activity. CSD was plotted vs depth for specific times during the average evoked potential (AEP): at the surface peaks of the first surface-negative wave (N1), the first surface-positive wave (P1), and the second surface-negative wave (N2). N1, P1 and N2 corresponded to excitation, dis-excitation (equivalent to inhibition), and dis-inhibition (re-excitation) of the granule cell population through mitral cell basal dendrites. The granule cells generated both PON and LOT oscillatory AEPs. When N1 and P1 profiles or P1 and N2 profiles were combined, the source and sink due to granule cell activity were minimized and another source-sink pair was revealed on PON but not LOT stimulation. PON-evoked N1 + P1 or P1 + N2 profiles showed a secondary souce-sink pair not present with LOT stimulation. The sink was located in the glomerular layer (GL) and outer plexiform layer (EPL) and the source in the inner EPL. It was concluded that long-lasting excitation of the mitral cells was taking place at the GL and GL/EPL border. This excitation was ascribed to concomitant PG cell activity, possibly in combination with prolonged monosynaptic PON excitation of the apical dendrites. The results support the occurrence of direct excitatory action of PG cells onto mitral cells.