A prolonged post-tetanic hyperpolarization in rat hippocampal pyramidal cells in vitro

The post-tetanic sequelae of trains of synaptic stimuli (50 pulses at 5 or 10 Hz) were studied with intracellular recordings from rat hippocampal neurons in vitro. In a large proportion of CA1 neurons, stimulation of afferent fibers was followed by a prolonged membrane hyperpolarization (peak amplitude approximately 6 mV) that was associated with a decrease in neuronal input resistance (approximately 33%) that lasted from tens of seconds to over 1 min. Antidromic stimulation or activation of cells with intracellular current injection did not elicit this post-tetanic hyperpolarization (PTH). The PTH could be elicited in chloride (Cl-)-loaded cells, its null potential shifted in response to changes in extracellular potassium ([K+]o), and it was significantly reduced by 5-10 mM extracellular cesium (Cs+). The K(+)-dependent PTH may also be calcium (Ca2+) dependent as its amplitude and associated conductance increase were sensitive to changes in [Ca2+]o. The PTH was enhanced by treatments that increase Ca2+ entry into cells including perfusion with elevated [Ca2+]o, with picrotoxin or with tetraethylammonium ion (TEA). The K+ conductance blocker 4-AP had no consistent effect on the PTH. The PTH was potently blocked by the membrane-permeant forms of cAMP, dibutyryl- and 8-bromo-cAMP. However, phorbol esters that activate protein kinase C and carbachol, which usually block the same potential that is blocked by cAMP, did not depress the PTH. The cardiac glycosides dihydro-ouabain and strophanthidin had only small and variable effects on the PTH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Protein kinase C-dependent and -independent effects of phorbol esters on hippocampal calcium channel current

Despite their widespread use in investigations of protein kinase C (PKC), concern is often expressed regarding the specificity of action of phorbol esters. We have extensively compared the effects of PDBu, a phorbol ester that activates PKC, with those of its inactive analog, 4 alpha-PDBu, on calcium (Ca) channel regulation in acutely isolated guinea pig hippocampal neurons and found that PKC-dependent and -independent actions could be clearly distinguished. While both phorbol esters depressed whole-cell barium current through Ca channels (IBa), PDBu was approximately 100-fold more potent than 4 alpha-PDBu. PKC-independent effects began to appear in the range of 5-10 microM, doses that, while high, have been used in some investigations. Moreover, only PDBu (1) was active when applied intracellularly, (2) had effects that were blocked by the PKC inhibitor H-7, and (3) induced PKC translocation with potency similar to its potency in depressing IBa. The finding that 4 alpha-PDBu acted only extracellularly was unexpected and suggested either that it acted via an extracellular binding site or that its orientation in the membrane was crucial to its effects on Ca channels. Finally, (4) PDBu alone caused a hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of the high-voltage-activated, rapidly inactivating (N type) component of Ca current. This result extends our previous finding that the N-type current component was depressed by PDBu to a greater extent than the L-type component and may represent an important new mode of neurotransmitter regulation of ion channels in the brain via PKC.

Characterization of an early afterhyperpolarization after a brief train of action potentials in rat hippocampal neurons in vitro

1. In rat hippocampal pyramidal cells in vitro, a brief train of action potentials elicited by direct depolarizing current pulses injected through an intracellular recording electrode is followed by a medium-duration afterhyperpolarization (mAHP) and a longer, slow AHP. We studied the mAHP with the use of current-clamp techniques in the presence of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) to block the slow AHP and isolate the mAHP. 2. The mAHP evoked at hyperpolarized membrane potentials was complicated by a potential generated by the anomalous rectifier current, IQ. The mAHP is insensitive to chloride ions (Cl-), whereas it is sensitive to the extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]o). 3. At slightly depolarized levels, the mAHP is partially Ca2+ dependent, being enhanced by increased [Ca2+]o and BAY K 8644 and depressed by decreased [Ca2+]o, nifedipine, and Cd2+. The Ca2(+)-dependent component of the mAHP was also reduced by 100 microM tetraethylammonium (TEA) and charybdotoxin (CTX), suggesting it is mediated by the voltage- and Ca2(+)-dependent K+ current, IC. 4. Most of the Ca2(+)-independent mAHP was blocked by carbachol, implying that IM plays a major role. In a few cells, a small Ca2(+)- and carbachol-insensitive mAHP component was detectable, and this component was blocked by 10 mM TEA, suggesting it was mediated by the delayed rectifier current, IK. The K+ channel antagonist 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 500 microM) did not reduce the mAHP. 5. We infer that the mAHP is a complex potential due either to IQ or to the combined effects of IM and IC. The contributions of each current depend on the recording conditions, with IC playing a role when the cells are activated from depolarized potentials and IM dominating at the usual resting potential. IQ is principally responsible for the mAHP recorded at hyperpolarized membrane potentials.

Protein kinase C activators block specific calcium and potassium current components in isolated hippocampal neurons

Whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques were used to study the effects of the protein kinase C (PKC) activators phorbol esters and OAG on Ca and K currents in differentiated neurons acutely dissociated from adult hippocampus and in tissue-cultured neurons from fetal hippocampus. PKC activators had selective depressant effects on K currents, with persistent currents (IK and IK-Ca) being reduced and transient current (IA) being unaffected. In both cell types we recorded both high-voltage-activated, noninactivating (L-type) and high-voltage-activated, rapidly inactivating (N-type) Ca current. A low-voltage-activated, rapidly inactivating (T-type) Ca current was also recorded in tissue-cultured neurons but not in acutely dissociated neurons. PKC activators markedly reduced N-type current with less effect on L-type and no effect on T-type Ca current. Effects of PKC activators could be reversed with washing or with application of PKC inhibitors H-7 or polymyxin-B, an effect that could not be attributed to inhibition of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The Ca/calmodulin inhibitor calmidazolium was ineffective in reversing the actions of PKC activators. Using whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques, we have demonstrated that hippocampal neurons possess 3 distinguishable components of calcium current. Distinct K currents were also observed. Our data strongly support the hypothesis that both Ca and K currents are selectively regulated by PKC and that these effects occur directly on the postsynaptic neuron.

Cyclic GMP depresses hippocampal Ca2+ current through a mechanism independent of cGMP-dependent protein kinase

Cyclic GMP depresses Ba2+ current through high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels (ICa) in acutely isolated hippocampal neurons. The effect is produced by intra-, but not extracellular, cGMP or by 5' GMP. The membrane-permeant derivative, 8-Br-cGMP, produces a reversible suppression. The effect of 8-Br-cGMP is similar to phorbol ester-induced ICa depression, except that ICa depression due to 8-Br-cGMP is not blocked by protein kinase inhibitors H-8 or H-7, whereas phorbol ester effects are. The data suggest that cGMP depresses ICa by a cGMP-kinase- and protein kinase C (PKC)-independent mechanism. Cyclic AMP, which enhances ICa, and the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor, IBMX, both antagonize ICa depression induced by 8-Br-cGMP, but not that due to phorbol esters. Cyclic IMP, a more potent activator of phosphodiesterase than of cGMP-dependent protein kinase, is also a powerful depressant of ICa. We conclude that cGMP-induced depression of ICa is mediated by activation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase with consequent reduction of intracellular cAMP.

Calcium-dependent pirenzepine-sensitive muscarinic response in the rat hippocampal slice

Using intracellular recording techniques in the rat hippocampal slice, we observed that muscarinic agonists produce a transient Ca2+-dependent depolarization that may be related to the phosphatidylinositol cycle. First, it was more readily produced by muscarinic group A agonists, which strongly enhance the breakdown of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) than by group B agonists, which are less efficacious. Second, the Ca2+-dependent response was blocked by pirenzepine (PRZ), a selective muscarinic antagonist that blocks PIP2 breakdown in forebrain. Both group A and group B muscarinic agonists caused equivalent maintained levels of depolarization that were relatively insensitive to PRZ. The data suggest that the Ca2+-dependent response is fundamentally unlike other muscarinic responses that have been described in hippocampus.

Neuronal muscarinic responses: role of protein kinase C

Advances in understanding the phosphoinositide cycle have helped unravel the chain of events initiated by muscarinic receptor stimulation. Hydrolysis of membrane phosphoinositides generates both diacylglycerol, an activator of protein kinase C, and inositol phosphates. In the nervous system, muscarinic receptors elicit a wide range of electrophysiological responses. Recent studies have made progress in identifying which of these neuronal muscarinic actions are mediated by activation of protein kinase C. Paradoxically, protein kinase C also exerts a strong inhibitory influence on muscarinic responses. This complex set of actions suggests that in addition to mediating certain muscarinic responses, protein kinase C also blocks signal transduction as part of a feedback mechanism.

A transient calcium-dependent potassium component of the epileptiform burst after-hyperpolarization in rat hippocampus

1. The epileptiform burst potential produced by picrotoxin is a model of the interictal spike potential seen in epilepsy. We have studied the epileptiform burst after-hyperpolarization (epileptiform burst AHP) using intracellular recording from rat CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells in the slice preparation. In most experiments burst potentials were induced by electrical stimulation of afferent fibres, but in some experiments bursts that arose spontaneously were also investigated. 2. Previous evidence suggested that the epileptiform burst AHP has two slow K+-dependent components and that both components would be blocked by phorbol esters that activate protein kinase C. We found that phorbol esters indeed blocked the slow components, but also uncovered a transient hyperpolarizing component of the epileptiform burst AHP. This phorbol-ester-insensitive component (the transient AHP) peaked approximately 65 ms after the onset of the stimulus and lasted approximately 150 ms. The transient AHP is K+ dependent since its reversal potential shifted in elevated [K+]o, whereas Cl- loading of the cell had no effect on either its development or reversal potential. 3. The transient AHP was either greatly reduced or abolished by 5-10 mM-tetraethylammonium (TEA) and by 15-20 nM-charybdotoxin (CTX), both of which block a particular Ca2+-dependent K+ current. Concomitant with the block of the transient AHP was a significant increase in burst duration. The transient AHP was not blocked by up to 1 mM-4-aminopyridine (4-AP), 1 mM-N'-2'-O-dibutyryl-adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (dBcAMP) or 50 microM-carbamylcholine (carbachol), and burst duration was relatively unaffected by these agents. 4. The transient AHP is Ca2+ dependent: (1) it was often associated with the occurrence of a slow, Ca2+-dependent spike; (2) its amplitude was increased in either elevated [Ca2+] saline or in (3) Bay K 8644 (5-10 microM), a compound that prolongs the open time of certain Ca2+ channels. 5. We conclude that a Ca2+-dependent K+ conductance is transiently activated by the epileptiform burst potential. Its distinctive pharmacological profile indicates that it is fundamentally different from the slow Ca2+-dependent K+ conductance. The Ca2+-dependent K+ current, IC, may mediate the transient AHP. Our data also suggest that the transient AHP conductance plays an important role in repolarizing the membrane after bursts of action potentials.

Papain effects on rat hippocampal neurons in the slice preparation

Intracellular recordings were made from the CA1 stratum pyramidale region of rat hippocampal slices. Papain was applied to the cells via bath perfusion, and its effects on membrane properties, synaptic potentials and responses to pressure application of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were assessed. Papain did not markedly affect neuronal input resistance, resting potential or action potentials with treatment times lasting over one hour. Synaptic potentials were initially enhanced and then gradually abolished, with the fast inhibitory postsynaptic potential being the most sensitive and the late, potassium-dependent hyperpolarization being the most resistant to enzyme. Responses to GABA were enhanced by papain, the GABA-activated conductance increased, and a slow depolarizing wave appeared which resembled the effect caused by pentobarbital on these neurons. This study indicates that the use of papain in the acutely dissociated neuron preparation is not responsible for the dramatic increase in resting input resistance seen in these neurons. The GABA-activated conductance may be affected by the enzyme.

Cholinergic phosphatidylinositol modulation of inhibitory, G protein-linked neurotransmitter actions: electrophysiological studies in rat hippocampus

In electrophysiological studies using the rat hippocampal slice preparation, cholinergic agonists and phorbol 12,13-diacetate, a stimulator of protein kinase C, block the inhibitory actions of baclofen, a gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor agonist, and adenosine. Relative potencies of cholinergic agonists in stimulating the phosphatidylinositol system, as measured biochemically, parallel their activity in blocking adenosine assessed electrophysiologically. Electrical stimulation of cholinergic afferents also reverses adenosine's inhibitory action. These findings indicate that stimulation of protein kinase C by the phosphatidylinositol system mediates cholinergic blockade of adenosine and baclofen. As these inhibitory agonists act by way of receptors linked to GTP-binding proteins, protein kinase C's inactivation of the GTP-binding protein involved may account for this cholinergic action.

Sodium-potassium pump inhibitors increase neuronal excitability in the rat hippocampal slice: role of a Ca2+-dependent conductance

We have used the rat hippocampal slice preparation as a model system for studying the epileptogenic consequences of a reduction in neuronal Na+-K+ pump activity. The cardiac glycosides (CGs) strophanthidin and dihydroouabain were used to inhibit the pump. These drugs had readily reversible effects, provided they were not applied for longer than 15-20 min. Hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells were studied with intracellular recordings; population spike responses and changes in extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]o) were also measured in some experiments. This investigation focused on the possibility that intrinsic neuronal properties are affected by Na+-K+ pump inhibitors. The CGs altered the CA1 population response evoked by an orthodromic stimulus from a single spike to an epileptiform burst. Measurements of [K+]o showed that doses of CGs sufficient to cause bursting were associated with only minor (less than 1 mM) changes in resting [K+]o. However, the rate of K+ clearance from the extracellular space was moderately slowed, confirming that a decrease in pump activity had occurred. Intracellular recording indicated that CG application resulted in a small depolarization and apparent increase in resting input resistance of CA1 neurons. Although CGs caused a decrease in fast gamma-aminobutyric acid mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs), CGs could also enhance the latter part of the epileptiform burst induced by picrotoxin, an antagonist of these IPSPs. Since intrinsic Ca2+ conductances comprise a significant part of the burst, this suggested the possibility that Na+-K+ pump inhibitors affected an intrinsic neuronal conductance. CGs decreased the threshold for activation of Ca2+ spikes (recorded in TTX and TEA) without enhancing the spikes themselves, indicating that a voltage-dependent subthreshold conductance might be involved. The action of CGs on Ca2+ spike threshold could not be mimicked by increasing [K+]o up to 10 mM. A variety of K+ conductance antagonists, including TEA, 4-AP, Ba2+ (in zero Ca2+), and carbachol were ineffective in preventing the CG-induced threshold shift of the Ca2+ spike. The shift was also seen in the presence of a choline-substituted low Na+ saline. Enhancement of a slow inward Ca2+ current is a possible mechanism for the decrease in Ca2+ spike threshold; however, it is impossible to use the Ca2+ spike as an assay when testing the effects of blocking Ca2+ conductances. Therefore, we studied the influence of CGs on the membrane current-voltage (I-V) curve, since persistent voltage-dependent conductances appear as nonlinearities in the I-V plot obtained under current clamp.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Whole-cell voltage-clamp study of the fading of GABA-activated currents in acutely dissociated hippocampal neurons

The lability of the responses of mammalian central neurons to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was studied using neurons acutely dissociated from the CA1 region of the adult guinea pig hippocampus as a model system. GABA was applied to the neuronal somata by pressure ejection and the resulting current (IGABA) recorded under whole-cell voltage clamp. In initial experiments we examined several basic properties of cells in this preparation. Our data confirm that passive and active membrane properties are similar to those which characterize cells in other preparations. In addition, GABA-dependent conductance (gGABA), reversal potential (EGABA), and the interaction of GABA with pentobarbital and bicuculline all appeared to be normal. Dendritic GABA application could cause depolarizing GABA responses, and somatic GABA application caused hyperpolarizations due to chloride (Cl-) movements. Repetitive brief applications (5-15 ms) of GABA (10(-5) to 10(-3) M) at a frequency of 0.5 Hz led to fading of successive peaks of IGABA until, at a given holding potential, a steady state was reached in which IGABA no longer changed. Imposing voltage steps lasting seconds during a train of steady-state GABA responses led initially to increased IGABA that then diminished with maintenance of the step voltage. The rate of decrease of IGABA at each new holding potential was independent of the polarity of the step in holding potential but was highly dependent on the rate of GABA application. Application rates as low as 0.05 Hz led to fading of IGABA, even with activation of relatively small conductances (5-15 nS). Since IGABA evoked by somatic GABA application in these cells is carried by Cl-, the Cl- equilibrium potential (ECl) is equal to the reversal potential for IGABA, i.e., to EGABA. The fading of IGABA with changes in holding potential can be almost entirely accounted for by a shift in ECl resulting from transmembrane flux of Cl- through the GABA-activated conductance. Maneuvers that prevent changes in the intracellular concentration of Cl-ions, [Cl-]i, including holding the membrane potential at EGABA during repetitive GABA application or buffering [Cl-]i with high pipette [Cl-], prevent changes in EGABA. Desensitization of the GABA response (an actual decrease in gGABA) occurs in these neurons during prolonged application of GABA (greater than 1 s) but with a slower time course than changes in EGABA. Whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques applied to tissue-cultured spinal cord neurons indicated that rapid shifts in EGABA result from repetitive GABA application in these cells as well.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Protein kinase C regulates ionic conductance in hippocampal pyramidal neurons: electrophysiological effects of phorbol esters

The vertebrate central nervous system contains very high concentrations of protein kinase C, a calcium- and phospholipid-stimulated phosphorylating enzyme. Phorbol esters, compounds with inflammatory and tumor-promoting properties, bind to and activate this enzyme. To clarify the role of protein kinase C in neuronal function, we have localized phorbol ester receptors in the rat hippocampus by autoradiography and examined the electrophysiological effects of phorbol esters on hippocampal pyramidal neurons in vitro. Phorbol esters blocked a calcium-dependent potassium conductance. In addition, phorbol esters blocked the late hyperpolarization elicited by synaptic stimulation even though other synaptic potentials were not affected. The potencies of several phorbol esters in exerting these actions paralleled their affinities for protein kinase C, suggesting that protein kinase C regulates membrane ionic conductance.

Use-dependent depression of IPSPs in rat hippocampal pyramidal cells in vitro

We have used intracellular recording techniques to study the use-dependence of evoked inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in rat CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells. We determined reversal potentials and conductance changes associated with IPSPs and responses to directly applied gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The IPSP depression could be seen after a single conditioning stimulus. This depression appeared to be due primarily to a 50% decrease in IPSP conductance (gIPSP). Trains of stimulating pulses (50 pulses at 5 or 10 Hz) produced more pronounced effects than a single conditioning pulse. Suprathreshold repetitive stimulation of stratum radiatum (SR) produced epileptiform burst firing and greater depression of IPSPs than did alvear (ALV) or subthreshold SR stimulation. During suprathreshold SR stimulation the IPSP was nearly abolished and the membrane potential could become less negative than the resting potential. A masking effect of facilitated depolarizing potentials on IPSPs was unlikely since IPSPs accompanied by little or no depolarizing potential were also depressed by SR trains. The 75% reduction in IPSP conductance found after repetitive stimulation confirmed that an overlapping conductance was not responsible for the depression of the IPSP. The GABA-induced conductance increase was not depressed by identical trains. Trains of stimulation induced depolarizing shifts in equilibrium potentials for the IPSP (EIPSP) and GABA (EGABA) of approximately 10 mV. These shifts were always greater after SR trains than after ALV trains. Simultaneous recordings of membrane potential and extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]o) with K+-sensitive microelectrodes revealed a direct correlation between the two during a stimulus train. Membrane potential depolarized as much as 18 mV from the peak of the IPSP and [K+]o could increase to a maximum of 10 mM during some trains. A depressant effect (of approximately 50%) of K+ on IPSPs was demonstrated by brief pressure ejection of K+ near the soma. We conclude that repetitive stimulation depresses gIPSP and shifts EIPSP in the depolarizing direction. Whereas gIPSP began to decline after a single conditioning pulse, the additional depression of IPSPs produced by stimulus trains was due in large part to shifts in EIPSP. Depression of gIPSP was not due to desensitization or block of ionic conductances, since gGABA was not reduced. The EIPSP may change as a result of increases in [K+]o.

Characteristics of a slow hyperpolarizing synaptic potential in rat hippocampal pyramidal cells in vitro

An orthodromically evoked late hyperpolarizing potential (LHP) was studied using intracellular recording techniques in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells in vitro. Several tests indicated that the LHP is not blocked by GABA antagonists, but rather comprises the initial portion of the stimulation-induced burst afterhyperpolarization (AHPs) produced in the presence of these antagonists. Bath application of magnesium (Mg) or 8-bromo adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), or intracellular injection of ethyleneglycol-bis (beta-amino-ethylether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) blocked the late portion of the AHPs, at times when the early portion was only slightly or not at all affected. The late part of the AHPs was also associated with the voltage-dependent components of the burst, whereas the early part was not. Both the early part of the burst AHPs and the LHP in standard saline have similar time courses and dependence on membrane potential. The LHP was nullified by hyperpolarization of the membrane in extracellular potassium concentrations [( K]o) of 5.4 mM and below and could be reversed in [K]o above 5.4 mM. The apparent reversal potential for the LHP followed shifts in [K]o as predicted by the Nernst equation and is, therefore, probably a K-dependent potential. No specific antagonist of the LHP from among several K conductance blockers was found, however. An alternative hypothesis, that the LHP might be an electrogenic pump effect was not supported. Ouabain depressed the LHP; however this effect was probably nonspecific and due, in part, to a ouabain-induced increase in [K]o. Decreasing temperature in the range 37-22 degrees C prolonged but did not block the LHP. The LHP was enhanced by increases in extracellular calcium concentration and depressed by high [Mg]o or cadmium. It was associated with a small (14%) decrease in total resting input resistance. In cells depolarized to approximately 0 mV, regenerative voltage-dependent potentials were blocked; however, an LHP still occurred. The LHP was not found to be dependent on the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP). With weak stimuli LHP and EPSP amplitudes were uncorrelated and the EPSP was more resistant than the LHP to block by high [Mg]o. The LHP continued to occur when the EPSP was reversed in depolarized cells. The LHP may be mediated by interneuronal circuitry within a slice. In GABA antagonists the LHP occasionally occurred spontaneously at regular intervals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Electrophysiological mechanisms of kainic acid-induced epileptiform activity in the rat hippocampal slice

Depression of GABA-mediated IPSPs has been proposed to be a crucial factor in the onset of epileptiform activity in most models of epilepsy. To test this idea, we studied epileptiform activity induced by bath application of the excitatory neurotoxin kainic acid (KA) in the rat hippocampal slice. Repetitive field potential firing, spontaneous or evoked, occurred during exposure to KA. Intracellular records from 52 CA1 pyramidal cells during changes from control saline to saline containing 1 microM KA indicated that KA depolarized cells an average of about 5 mV and caused a 15% decrease in input resistance. Action potentials and current-induced burst afterhyperpolarizations did not change significantly. In several cells the tonic effects of KA were preceded by a transient phase of sporadic, spontaneous depolarizations of 2 to 10 mV and 50 to 200 msec duration. These phasic depolarizations were blocked by hyperpolarization. The major effect of 1 microM KA was a depression of synaptic potentials. Initially, KA depressed fast GABA-mediated IPSPs and slow, non-GABA-mediated late hyperpolarizing potentials to 23% and 40% of control values, respectively. IPSP depression correlated closely with onset of burst potential firing in response to synaptic stimulation. Similar observations were made on six cells from the CA2/3 region, although these cells were affected by lower doses of KA. The mechanism of IPSP depression was studied by using KCl-filled electrodes to invert spontaneous IPSPs and make them readily visible. In nine CA1 cells the rate and amplitude of spontaneous IPSPs transiently increased but then decreased in conjunction with evoked IPSP depression. Possible KA effects on postsynaptic GABA responses were investigated by applying GABA locally to cells. KA did not significantly affect GABA responses. Prolonged exposure of CA1 cells to KA in doses of 1 microM or higher depressed intracellularly and extracellularly recorded EPSPs and all field potential activity. This depression was not apparently due to depolarization block in CA1, however. We conclude that KA induces epileptiform activity in hippocampus principally by a presynaptic block of IPSP pathways.

On the possibility of simultaneously recording from two cells with a single microelectrode in the hippocampal slice

Unusual cellular elements have been recorded intracellularly in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampal slice. The elements appear, by all electrophysiological criteria except one, to be glia. However, unlike glia, they can fire action potentials. We suggests that these recordings represent cases of artifactual coupling of two cells by a recording microelectrode. The results have implications for the interpretation of dye injection experiments in the hippocampal CA1 region.

Ammonia does not selectively block IPSPs in rat hippocampal pyramidal cells

Intracellular recordings from CA1 pyramidal cells in the rat hippocampal slice preparation have been used to study the action of ammonia on inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs). Concentrations of ammonia less than 2 mM had little effect on IPSPs or the action of iontophoretically applied gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This concentration has been reported to be fully effective in blocking hyperpolarizing IPSPs in spinal cord and neocortex. Concentrations above 2 mM did cause a depolarizing shift in the IPSP and GABA reversal potentials, but this effect was accompanied by several generalized effects. The conductance increase during the IPSP but not during the GABA response was depressed, indicating that ammonia has a presynaptic depressant effect on the IPSP. Ammonia also depressed excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs), presynaptic fiber potentials, and pyramidal cell population spikes. In addition, the calcium-dependent potassium response elicited by depolarizing current pulses was depressed. This depression was due, in part, to a depolarizing shift in the reversal potential for this response. Responses recorded with potassium-sensitive microelectrodes indicate that ammonia releases potassium into the extracellular space. The possibility is discussed that the shifts in IPSP reversal potential seen with high concentrations of ammonia are a consequence of generalized nonspecific effects. We conclude that the relative insensitivity of hippocampal IPSPs to blockade by ammonia suggests that a mechanism fundamentally unlike an ammonia-sensitive chloride pump must maintain the hippocampal IPSP gradient.

Feed-forward dendritic inhibition in rat hippocampal pyramidal cells studied in vitro

1. Intracellular recordings from CA1 pyramidal cells in the rat hippocampal slice preparation have been used to study the neuronal pathways involved in hippocampal synaptic inhibition.2. When direct comparisons are made in a single pyramidal cell, orthodromic stimulation delivered to stratum (s.) radiatum in normal recording conditions is found to be more effective than antidromic stimulation in producing inhibitory post-synaptic potentials (i.p.s.p.s).3. Orthodromic i.p.s.p.s in normal conditions appear to be complex, multiphasic events, whereas antidromic i.p.s.p.s are relatively simple. The orthodromic i.p.s.p. involves both a GABA-mediated dendritic component and a non-GABA-mediated component neither of which is activated by antidromic stimulation.4. Barbiturates induce a late depolarizing phase of the orthodromic response, a ;depolarizing i.p.s.p.', which is mediated by GABA. The depolarizing i.p.s.p. is not produced by antidromic stimulation.5. Injections of tetrodotoxin and bicuculline methiodide localized to either somatic or apical dendritic regions reveal that the depolarizing i.p.s.p. is produced by GABA released from neuronal elements in the dendritic field which acts on pyramidal cell dendrites.6. The depolarizing i.p.s.p. is strongly temperature-dependent and increases in amplitude and duration progressively as slices are cooled from 37 to 22 degrees C.7. Depolarizing i.p.s.p.s can be produced by orthodromic stimulation in s. oriens as well as in s. radiatum. In each case the depolarizing i.p.s.p.s appear localized to the dendrites in the field stimulated.8. We conclude that the depolarizing i.p.s.p. evident in the presence of barbiturates is caused by the same synaptic release of GABA which in normal conditions produces hyperpolarizing dendritic i.p.s.p.s.9. Numerous comparisons between orthodromic and antidromic stimulation indicate that dendritic i.p.s.p.s are activated by feed-forward pathways.

Pharmacological evidence for two kinds of GABA receptor on rat hippocampal pyramidal cells studied in vitro

1. The rat hippocampal slice preparation has been used in conjunction with intracellular recording and ionophoresis to study the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on CA1 pyramidal cells.2. GABA elicits a hyperpolarizing (h.) response at the soma. The reversal potential of this h. response is the same as for inhibitory post-synaptic potentials (i.p.s.p.s) evoked by stimulating pyramidal cell axons.3. GABA elicits primarily depolarizing (d.) responses when applied to the apical dendrites, but h. responses can also be found.4. The GABA antagonists bicuculline methiodide, picrotoxin, penicillin, and pentylenetetrazole are all ten to one hundred times more potent on the d. response than on the h. response. Hyperpolarizing responses are uncovered in the dendrites when intermediate doses of these drugs block the d. response.5. The GABA analogue, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo [5,4-c]pyridine-3-ol (THIP), which has been proposed to activate synaptic receptors preferentially in other systems, elicits h. responses in the dendrites. It is one seventh as potent as GABA in eliciting d. responses.6. Pentobarbitone enhances d. responses to a much greater extent than h. responses, while diazepam enhances h. responses to a greater extent.7. Nipecotic acid, low temperature, and low sodium media all increase the size of d. responses to ionophoretically applied GABA indicating that an active uptake process limits their size.8. We conclude that h. responses reflect the activation of synaptic receptors which are highly concentrated on the pyramidal cell soma-initial segment, but are also present on the dendrites. Depolarizing responses, which are evoked in the dendrites, reflect the activation of extrasynaptic receptors.9. We propose that an ordinarily undetectable amount of synaptically released GABA can ;spill' over onto extrasynaptic (d.) receptors. Depolarizing receptor activation can be detected in the presence of pentobarbitone. Spillover is markedly enhanced at subphysiological temperatures presumably due to enhanced release of GABA and impairment of the GABA uptake system.

Synaptic excitation may activate a calcium-dependent potassium conductance in hippocampal pyramidal cells

In hippocampal CAl pyramidal cells, orthodromic synaptic excitation is followed by an early hyperpolarization mediated by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and a late non-GABA-mediated hyperpolarization that has properties consistent with an increase in potassium conductance. Depolarizations produced by iontophoretically applied glutamate are followed by hyperpolarizations that have features in accordance with an increase in potassium conductance. The hyperpolarizations are independent of chloride and resistant to tetradotoxin but are blocked by a low-calcium, high-cobalt medium. Voltage clamping the glutamate depolarization does not reduce the subsequent hyperpolarization, indicating that the hyperpolarization results from a direct increase in calcium conductance produced by glutamate, rather than from activation of voltage-sensitive calcium channels. A single transmitter, possibly acting on one type of receptor and channel, may initiate both excitation and inhibition in the same postsynaptic cell.

Epileptiform burst afterhyperolarization: calcium-dependent potassium potential in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells

Synaptic excitation of hippocampal cells during blockade of synaptic inhibition results in an epileptiform "burst" potential followed by a prolonged afterhyperpolarization. This afterhyperpolarization resembles the one that is seen after the epileptic interictal spike and that is considered of critical importance in preventing seizure development. The afterhyperpolarization produced in the presence of y-aminobutyric acid antagonists is associated with a conductance increase and is inhibitory. It can occur in an all-or-none fashion after a burst, is independent of chloride, and is depressed by barium. The afterhyperpolarization has a reversal potential of (-86) millivolts, and the reversal potential is strongly dependent on the extracellular concentration of potassium. The afterhyperpolarization appears to be an intrinsic, inhibitory potassium potential mediated by calcium. This finding has implications for understanding the cellular mechanisms of epilepsy.

Peptides as putative excitatory neurotransmitters: carnosine, enkephalin, substance P and TRH

A number of in vitro preparations of the central nervous system have been used to characterize with intracellular recording the cellular actions of four neuropeptides. Carnosine, the putative excitatory neurotransmitter of olfactory nerves, was found to exert little or no effect in the turtle or the frog olfactory bulb, suggesting that this peptide may have other roles, e.g. neurotropic, in this system. Substance P and TRH were found to have some characteristics of a classical excitatory transmitter since they increase membrane conductance and depolarize frog motoneurons by a direct action. However, the slow time course and subthreshold nature of the depolarization may imply that these peptides function in a background manner to set the level of excitability of motoneurons. Finally, the effects of enkephalin on a variety of inhibitory systems have been examined. Enkephalin excites hippocampal pyramidal cells indirectly by blocking both spontaneous and evoked inhibitory potentials. In addition, both feedforward and feedback inhibitory pathways are depressed by enkephalin. All these effects are blocked by naloxone. Blockade of inhibitory pathways by enkephalin appears to be a general phenomenon, since similar depressant effects were seen for dendrodendritic inhibition in olfactory bulb mitral cells as well as for presynaptic inhibition of spinal primary afferents. These results indicate that neuroactive peptides can affect principal neurons by increasing their excitability via either subthreshold excitation or disinhibition.