Synaptic alterations associated with disrupted sensory encoding in a mouse model of tauopathy

Synapse loss is currently the best biological correlate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies. Synapses seem to be highly vulnerable to tau-mediated disruption in neurodegenerative tauopathies. However, it is unclear how and when this leads to alterations in function in relation to the progression of tauopathy and neurodegeneration. We used the well-characterised rTg4510 mouse model of tauopathy, at 5-6 months and 7-8 months of age, to study the functional impact of cortical synapse loss. The earlier age was used as a model of prodromal tauopathy, with the later age corresponding to more advanced tau pathology and presumed progression of neurodegeneration. Analysis of synaptic protein expression in the somatosensory cortex showed significant reductions in synaptic proteins and NMDA and AMPA receptor subunit expression in rTg4510 mice. Surprisingly, in vitro whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology from putative pyramidal neurons in layer 2/3 of the somatosensory cortex suggested no functional alterations in layer 4 to layer 2/3 synaptic transmission at 5-6 months. From these same neurons, however, there were alterations in dendritic structure, with increased branching seen proximal to the soma in rTg4510 neurons. Therefore, in vivo whole-cell patch clamp recordings were utilised to investigate synaptic function and integration in putative pyramidal neurons in layer 2/3 of the somatosensory cortex. These recordings revealed a significant increase in the peak response to synaptically-driven sensory stimulation-evoked activity and a loss of temporal fidelity of the evoked signal to the input stimulus in rTg4510 neurons. Together, these data suggest that loss of synapses, changes in receptor expression, and dendritic restructuring may lead to alterations in synaptic integration at a network level. Understanding of these compensatory processes could identify targets to help delay symptomatic onset within dementia.