Activity-induced gene expression in the human brain

Abstract

AbstractActivity-induced gene expression underlies synaptic plasticity and brain function. Here, using molecular sequencing techniques, we define activity-dependent transcriptomic and epigenomic changes at the tissue and single-cell level in the human brain following direct electrical stimulation of the anterior temporal lobe in patients undergoing neurosurgery. Genes related to transcriptional regulation and microglia-specific cytokine activity displayed the greatest induction pattern, revealing a precise molecular signature of neuronal activation in the human brain.Key findingsElectrical stimulation of the human cortex allows the identification of an activity-dependent gene expression signature.Neurons and microglia in the human brain exhibit distinct transcriptional signatures following electrical stimulation.Single nuclear chromatin accessibility studies reveal cell-type-specific epigenomic changes and specific transcription factor motifs in microglia.