The coupling of neurotransmitter receptors to ion channels in the brain

Chronic ethanol treatment reduces inhibition in CA1 of the rat hippocampus

The effect of chronic ethanol exposure on inhibition in the rat hippocampal slice was investigated using paired-pulse stimulation techniques with stimulation in stratum radiatum or stratum oriens of CA1. Experimental animals were fed ethanol in a liquid diet for 20 weeks and were withdrawn for at least 8 weeks prior to electrophysiological recording. Prior ethanol treatment had no effect on basic input-output relationships for the extracellular population spike. Ethanol treatment significantly reduced the recurrent inhibition produced by antidromic stimulation in a manner dependent upon stimulus intensity. In addition, with orthodromic paired-pulse stimulation of either stratum radiatum or oriens, a trend toward an augmentation of the facilitation of population spike amplitude was observed, suggesting that feedforward inhibition may also be reduced. These results are similar to those found with treatments that reduce inhibition. Therefore, we conclude that chronic ethanol exposure produces an enduring disruption of inhibitory neuronal function in the rat hippocampus.

Loss of extrasynaptic channel modulation by protein kinase C underlies the selection of serotonin responses in an identified leech neuron

Pressure-sensitive (P) neurons contacted by serotonergic Retzius (R) neurons of the leech in culture selectively reduce a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent cation response to serotonin and are innervated by the inhibitory, Cl(-)-dependent synapse seen in vivo. We have examined whether the reduction of extrasynaptic cation channel modulation is due to changes in sensitivity of the channels to second messenger. In inside-out membrane patches from single, uncontacted P cells in culture, cation channel activity was increased by rat brain PKC and cofactors. In contrast, the activity of cation channels in patches isolated from P cells paired with R cells was unaffected by PKC. These results demonstrate the loss of extrasynaptic channel modulation by PKC during synapse formation.

The protein kinase C activators, phorbol 12-myristate,13-acetate and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, are convulsant in the pico-nanomolar range in mice

Administration of phorbol 12-myristate,13-acetate (PMA, 10 fmol-10 nmol) or phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB, 0.2-495 nmol) (i.c.v.) to mice induced: hindlimb scratching, tremor, myoclonic jerks, hyperlocomotion, clonic seizure, followed by death or recovery. CD50 values for clonic seizures for PMA and PDB were 1.0 pmol and 1.2 nmol. 4-alpha-Phorbol (68-686 nmol) was inactive. The effects of PDB (24-247 nmol) were reduced by pretreatment with staurosporine (30 nmol, i.c.v.). Protein kinase C activators are potent convulsants in vivo.

Adenosine promotes burst activity in guinea-pig geniculocortical neurones through two different ionic mechanisms

1. The mechanisms of action of adenosine were examined in relay neurones of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGND) using in vitro intracellular recording techniques in guinea-pig thalamic slices. 2. Adenosine hyperpolarized LGND relay neurones due to an increase in membrane potassium conductance. The K+ currents generated by near maximal stimulation of adenosine and GABAB receptors were non-additive. 3. Blockage of membrane K+ conductances by barium unmasked a second response to adenosine; an outward shift of the current versus voltage relationship negative to -65 mV associated with an increase in membrane input resistance. The beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline elicited an inward current in the same voltage range, which was inhibited and replaced by an outward current during activation of adenosine receptors. The effects of adenosine were due to a decrease in amplitude and rate of rise of the hyperpolarization-activated cation current, Ih. Maximal reduction by 66% of Ih amplitude occurred near the range of half-activation. 4. Both responses to adenosine were mimicked by the selective A1 receptor agonists N6-cyclopentyladenosine or N6-cyclohexyladenosine, and reversibly blocked by the selective A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX). 5. The decrease in Ih by adenosine may be mediated by an inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity and hence a decrease in the intracellular level of cyclic AMP, since local application of the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine imitated the decrease in Ih. Local application of the adenylyl cyclase stimulant forskolin or 8-bromo-cyclic AMP resulted in an enhancement in Ih, and forskolin inhibited the action on Ih evoked by N6-cyclopentyladenosine. 6. The adenosine-induced effects interacted with the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of LGND neurones in that (i) the hyperpolarization due to an increase in K+ conductance inhibited single spike firing and promoted calcium-mediated burst discharges, and (ii) the decrease in Ih inhibited the dampening effect on Ca(2+)-mediated rebound activity of beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation. 7. It is suggested that during increased levels of extracellular adenosine the response of LGND relay neurones to activating brainstem influences will be depressed, and a pattern of Ca(2+)-mediated burst firing will be favoured.

Pertussis toxin and voltage dependence distinguish multiple pathways modulating calcium channels of rat sympathetic neurons

Agonist-induced suppression of current in voltage-gated Ca2+ channels was studied in rat sympathetic neurons. We have previously distinguished two intracellular signaling pathways used by muscarinic agonists to suppress neuronal Ca2+ current-one fast and membrane delimited, the other slow and acting via a diffusible second messenger. We now show that the fast pathway is sensitive mainly to pertussis toxin and shifts the gating of Ca2+ channels to more positive voltages (voltage dependent). The slow pathway is pertussis toxin insensitive and depresses currents at all test potentials (voltage independent). Muscarinic agonists may also activate a pertussis toxin-insensitive fast pathway. alpha-Adrenergic agonists use the fast pertussis toxin-sensitive and the fast insensitive pathways, but not the slow one.

Comparison of the actions of adenosine at pre- and postsynaptic receptors in the rat hippocampus in vitro

1. Intracellular microelectrode recordings were used to study the cellular location, the receptor pharmacology, and the mechanism of action of adenosine on pyramidal cells and presynaptic axonal endings in area CA3 of organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. 2. Adenosine (bath applied at 50 microM) caused a 10-15 mV hyperpolarization of CA3 cells, as well as a 75-100% decrease in the amplitude of excitatory and polysynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs and IPSPs). Adenosine had no effect on the amplitude of monosynaptic IPSPs elicited in the presence of excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists, but did reduce the amplitude of isolated EPSPs, elicited after blocking GABAA receptors and reducing subsequent epileptic bursts with excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists. These data indicate that adenosine receptors are located on excitatory, but not inhibitory, presynaptic elements. 3. The A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX, bath applied at 200 nM) blocked the pre- and postsynaptic actions of adenosine. DPCPX had no effect on the amplitude of control synaptic responses, suggesting that there is no tonic activation of adenosine receptors in hippocampal slice cultures under control conditions. The A1 receptor agonists R-N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA) mimicked all pre- and postsynaptic actions of adenosine. 4. Pertussis toxin pretreatment (500 ng/ml for 48 h) prevented adenosine from activating postsynaptic K+ conductance, but not from inhibiting EPSPs. In contrast, stimulation of protein kinase C with phorbol ester (phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate, 1 microM for 10 min) reduced the presynaptic, but not the postsynaptic, actions of adenosine. 5. Barium (bath applied at 1 mM) blocked the adenosine-activated K+ conductance, but not the inhibition of isolated EPSPs by adenosine. 6. Adenosine at 0.03-1 microM reduced the frequency of, or blocked, spontaneous epileptiform bursting produced by bicuculline. DPCPX (200 nM) increased the rate of spontaneous bursting, consistent with a tonic activation of adenosine receptors during hyperactivity, and led to the development of prolonged ictal-like bursts, suggesting that the endogenous release of adenosine may contribute to the termination of epileptic bursts. 7. We conclude that adenosine acts at pre- and postsynaptic receptors which are pharmacologically indistinguishable. Postsynaptically, adenosine increases a barium-sensitive K+ conductance via a pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein. The presynaptic action of adenosine must, however, be mediated by some other mechanism.

A family of metabotropic glutamate receptors

Three cDNA clones, mGluR2, mGluR3, and mGluR4, were isolated from a rat brain cDNA library by cross-hybridization with the cDNA for a metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR1). The cloned receptors show considerable sequence similarity with mGluR1 and possess a large extracellular domain preceding the seven putative membrane-spanning segments. mGluR2 is expressed in some particular neuronal cells different from those expressing mGluR1 and mediates an efficient inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation in cDNA-transfected cells. The mGluRs thus form a novel family of G protein-coupled receptors that differ in their signal transduction and expression patterns.

O2 tension in adult and neonatal brain slices under several experimental conditions

Brain tissue O2 tension (pO2) was measured in brainstem slices of adult and neonatal rats using carbon fiber polarographic microelectrodes. These studies were performed in order to examine the relation between pO2 and a variety of experimental conditions including temperature, distance from slice surface, brain region, animal age, tissue thickness and ambient O2 levels. Baseline brain tissue pO2 was inversely proportional to temperature and depth from slice surface. White matter had a much higher pO2 than gray matter. Tissue thickness and animal age had major effects on tissue pO2. In slices of 800 microns thick at 37 degrees C, for example, brain tissue pO2 in the adult dropped to 0 mm Hg at a depth of 200-300 microns, but remained above 45 mm Hg throughout neonatal (3-10 days) slices, when O2 tension in the perfusate was about 600 mm Hg. In thicker neonatal slices (1500 microns), pO2 decreased also to 0 mm Hg in deep areas. An N2 environment produced a rapid reduction in pO2 to 0 mm Hg within 15 s, and O2 levels of 21, 10 and 5% induced graded pO2 minima and graded latencies to reach each pO2 nadir. We conclude that: (1) tissue thickness has a major effect on tissue pO2 level: pO2 can reach zero if the slice is thicker than 600 microns in the adult and 1500 microns thick in the neonate; (2) pO2 level is higher in neonatal brain tissue at all ambient O2 concentrations than in the adult; and (3) graded hypoxia produces patterned and graded reductions in tissue pO2.

Cobalt blocks postsynaptic responses induced by neurotransmitters in the hippocampus in vitro

Divalent metals such as cobalt are frequently used by neurophysiologists to prevent synaptic transmission, because they are thought to selectively block presynaptic calcium conductance. Recording intracellularly from hippocampal CA3 pyramidal cells we show that Co2+ (2 mM) is not specific in this action but also diminishes postsynaptic responses mediated by agonists acting at ionotropic and metabotropic glutamatergic receptors, as well as GABAA, GABAB, adenosine, and cholinergic receptors. These findings indicate that a more selective substance should be employed for experiments where neurotransmitter release must be blocked.

(-)-baclofen and gamma-aminobutyric acid inhibit calcium currents in isolated retinal ganglion cells

Of the various synaptic inputs known to converge upon retinal ganglion cells, the major inhibitory inputs are thought to be GABAergic. Although gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is known to activate anion-selective ion channels in retinal ganglion cells, we have tested the possibility that GABA can also modulate cationic conductances in these cells, as seen in other central and peripheral neurons. Specifically, we have made whole-cell patch-clamp recordings to test whether voltage-gated calcium currents in isolated goldfish retinal ganglion cells are sensitive to GABAB receptor ligands. (-)-Baclofen and GABA inhibited calcium currents activated by moderately long depolarizations and, during large depolarizations (e.g., to 0 mV), also appeared to accelerate the rate of current decay. The calcium current inhibition induced by (-)-baclofen and GABA was not prevented by 2-hydroxysaclofen, phaclofen, or bicuculline, even though bicuculline suppressed a GABA-activated conductance in these cells. These results demonstrate the presence of baclofen- and GABA-sensitive calcium currents in vertebrate retinal ganglion cells as well as the coexistence of GABAA and GABAB receptors in individual retinal ganglion cells.

The potential for muscarinic receptor subtype-specific pharmacotherapy for Alzheimer's disease

In several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, a loss of the cholinergic projections of the basal forebrain to the cerebral cortex and hippocampus occurs. Studies of the anatomic and physiologic characteristics of these ascending cholinergic systems suggest that they are important in processing information and in memory function. Muscarinic receptors are situated at various critical control points in these pathways. Activation of postsynaptic muscarinic receptors often increases the excitability of neurons; thus, the signal-to-noise ratio for sensory processing is enhanced. In addition, muscarinic receptors negatively control cholinergic tone at presynaptic sites. Molecular biologic methods have disclosed the existence of five muscarinic receptors, which are coupled to different second messenger systems. The evidence reviewed suggests that at least four of the five muscarinic receptor genes are expressed as functional receptor proteins in the neocortex and hippocampal formation. On the basis of the current information about their pharmacologic properties and coupling mechanisms in nervous tissue, drugs that selectively affect subtypes of muscarinic receptors could enhance cortical cholinergic function and thereby ameliorate certain cognitive impairments in Alzheimer's disease.

Postsynaptic inhibition by adenosine in hippocampal CA3 neurons: Co(2+)-sensitive activation of an inwardly rectifying K+ conductance

The properties of the current underlying the membrane hyperpolarization evoked by adenosine (50-100 microM) were investigated in hippocampal CA3 neurons in vitro using current-clamp and single-electrode voltage-clamp techniques. In voltage-clamp measurements, the adenosine-induced current (IAdo) was outward at rest and reversed at membrane potentials close to the equilibrium potential of K+ (EK), indicating that IAdo was carried by K+ ions. Determination of IAdo at several membrane potentials revealed a nonlinear current/voltage (I/V) relationship of the current displaying inward rectification in the hyperpolarizing direction. Similarly, adenosine increased the membrane slope conductance only at membrane potentials negative to rest, whereas the slope of the neuronal I/V curve remained unchanged when determined at potentials positive to rest. Since the electrophysiological properties of IAdo were very similar to those described for K+ conductances activated by other neuroactive substances like serotonin, opioid peptides and gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor (GABAB) agonists, we conclude that IAdo belongs to a family of ligand-operated, inwardly rectifying K+ currents which apparently share a common mechanism to reduce postsynaptic excitability. As an additional feature, the postsynaptic adenosine response was reduced by bath application of Co2+ or Ni2+. The adenosine-induced membrane hyperpolarization was not affected by low-Ca2+ or low-Mg2+ solutions, nor by buffering of intracellular Ca2+, but a gradual decline of IAdo was observed following superfusion with Co2+ or Ni2+. In contrast, Mn2+ caused only a weak attenuation of the adenosine response.

The modulation of rat hippocampal synaptic conductances by baclofen and gamma-aminobutyric acid

1. We examined the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and baclofen on pre- and postsynaptic membrane conductances in dissociated rat hippocampal cells. Both GABA (5 microM with 10 microM-bicuculline) and baclofen (50 microM) caused small but significant increases in membrane conductance that were blocked by 2-hydroxysaclofen (100 microM), a GABAB receptor antagonist. This increase in membrane conductance seems to be mediated by GABAB receptors. 2. At a low concentration of GABA (1 microM) which has a very small direct postsynaptic effect on GABAA receptors, no postsynaptic GABAB effect was detected. However, at this concentration, GABA near maximally attenuated both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic currents. This GABA effect on transmitter release was significantly attenuated by 2-hydroxysaclofen. 3. Baclofen was also more potent in attenuating the inhibitory synaptic conductance than increasing postsynaptic conductance. Concentrations below 1 microM diminished synaptic currents by greater than 50%. At these low baclofen concentrations 2-hydroxysaclofen significantly attenuated baclofen's reduction of synaptic currents. 4. The effects of GABA and baclofen on synaptic conductances were blocked by pretreating the cultures with pertussis toxin, suggesting that a GTP-associated protein, Gi or Go is responsible for reducing transmitter release. 5. Despite the ability of GABA to diminish inhibitory synaptic currents through GABAB receptor activation, we observed no effect of 2-hydroxysaclofen on paired-pulse depression. Therefore, these presynaptic GABAB receptors may not be true 'autoreceptors'. 6. Our findings indicate that in culture, at least, the presynaptic GABAB effect responsible for synaptic modulation has a pharmacological profile similar to the postsynaptic GABAB effect. At present, it is unnecessary to postulate two different types of GABAB receptors.

Suppression of kindled seizure following intraamygdaloid injection of pertussis toxin in rats

To examine the role of GTP-binding proteins in amygdaloid (AM) kindling, pertussis toxin (PTX), which inhibits PTX-sensitive GTP-binding proteins through ADP-ribosylation, was injected into the stimulated AM of fully kindled rats. Intra-AM injections of PTX strongly suppressed kindled seizures. The significant seizure suppression began 2 days after the injection, lasted 4 days, and was due to an increase in afterdischarge threshold. The results suggest that PTX-sensitive GTP-binding proteins in the stimulated site play a significant role in the induction of kindled seizures.

Electrophysiological responses to muscarinic receptor stimulation in cultured hippocampal neurons

Electrophysiological recordings of responses to muscarinic receptor stimulation in cultured embryonic hippocampal neurons have been largely unsuccessful to date. In this study muscarinic receptor binding was demonstrated in 2-week-old embryonic rat hippocampal cultures. Using whole-cell patch-clamp recording we found that 1-5 microM carbachol produced multiple effects including depolarization, increased action potential firing rate, increased synaptic activity and a reduction in the amplitude of medium-duration afterhyperpolarizations. Voltage-clamp analysis revealed a time-dependent current relaxation with hyperpolarizing steps from a holding potential of about -40 mV which was inhibited by 10 microM muscarine or 50 microM carbachol and had characteristics similar to those of the m-current. Both atropine and pirenzepine inhibited all of these effects indicating that these cholinergic actions were mediated by muscarinic receptors. This study shows that muscarinic responses obtained classically in hippocampal brain slices can also be produced in cultured hippocampus.

Time course of receptor-channel coupling in frog sympathetic neurons

The M-type potassium current and the N-type calcium current are inhibited by several different neurotransmitters in frog sympathetic neurons. These effects seem to be mediated via G proteins, but it is not clear whether diffusible second messengers are involved. Using a rapid (approximately 100 ms) flow tube perfusion system to apply agonists, the inhibition of calcium current develops and recovers rapidly but not instantaneously (t1/2 = 1-2 s). M-current inhibition is considerably slower, with t1/2 approximately 30 s for recovery from inhibition. At least for M-current inhibition, there appears to be sufficient time for involvement of an enzymatic cascade in receptor-channel coupling.

Adrenergic and cholinergic inhibition of Ca2+ channels mediated by different GTP-binding proteins in rat sympathetic neurones

Effects of acetylcholine (ACh) and noradrenaline (NA) on voltage-gated ion channels of sympathetic neurones acutely dissociated from rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) were examined using the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. Depolarizing voltage steps elicited two types of low- and high-voltage-activated (LVA and HVA) Ca2+ currents. Pressure applications of ACh and NA produced concentration-dependent inhibition of the HVA Ca2+ current without affecting the LVA Ca2+ current. The inhibitory action of ACh on the Ca2+ current was blocked by a muscarinic antagonist, atropine. The action of NA was suppressed by an alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist, yohimbine, but not by an alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist, prazosin. Delayed rectifying outward K+ currents and inward rectifying K+ current were not affected by either ACh or NA. Tetrodotoxin-sensitive and -insensitive Na+ currents also remained unaffected under actions of ACh and NA. When recorded with electrode containing guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP-gamma-S), the inhibitory actions of ACh and NA on Ca2+ currents became irreversible. After treatment of SCG neurones with pertussis toxin, the inhibitory action of ACh on the Ca2+ current was almost completely abolished, whereas the action of NA was only partially reduced. The results suggest that ACh and NA differentially inhibit the HVA Ca2+ current via different G proteins coupling muscarinic and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors to Ca2+ channels in rat SCG neurones.

Local infusion of calcium-free solutions in vivo activates locus coeruleus neurons

Microinfusion of calcium (Ca++)-free artificial cerebrospinal fluid onto locus coeruleus (LC) neurons in vivo potently increased their discharge rate, while response of these cells to a sensory stimulus was significantly reduced. These effects resulted in part from interference with the calcium-dependent potassium conductance in these neurons, as microinfusions of solutions having barium substituted for calcium partially mimicked the effects of Ca(++)-free infusions. In addition, microinfusion of control medium containing the Ca++ channel blocker, cadmium (2-20 mM), also mimicked the effect of the Ca(++)-free solution. This study presents an effective means by which extracellular concentrations of neuromodulatory ions can be manipulated in vivo. In addition, these results indicate that extracellular Ca++ potently modulates the spontaneous as well as evoked activity of central noradrenergic neurons in vivo.

Muscarinic suppression of the M-current is mediated by a rise in internal Ca2+ concentration

The role of intracellular Ca2+ in the muscarinic suppression of M-current was examined. Intracellular injection of Ca2+ buffer into cells in the intact ganglion reduced the response to muscarinic agonist. In similar experiments on isolated cells, Ca2+ buffer was introduced into the cytoplasm using a perfused recording pipette. Ca2+ buffer (20 mM) with the free Ca2+ concentration set to normal resting levels produced a reversible reduction of the muscarinic response. In a second line of investigation, it was found that pharmacological procedures designed to deplete internal stores of Ca2+ produced a decrease in the muscarinic response. These results, taken together with previous work, support the hypothesis that the muscarinic suppression of M-current is mediated by the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores.

Kindling-induced changes of [3H]GTP binding in the cerebral cortical membrane

Specific [3H]GTP binding to the cerebral cortical membrane was examined in amygdaloid kindled rats. Membrane fractions of the cerebral cortex obtained from kindled rats and sham operated control were incubated with [3H]GTP and the data were analyzed by Scatchard plots. There were no differences in the Bmax and Kd values in basal (without any agonists) binding between kindled and control membranes. In the presence of isoprenaline, beta-agonist, Bmax values increased in the control, but did not increase in the kindled group. The kindling-induced abolishment of isoprenaline effect on Bmax of GTP binding persisted at least two weeks. Specific GTP binding activity of control membrane increased in the presence of carbachol, muscarinic agonist. A carbachol-induced increase in specific GTP binding activity also disappeared in the kindled group. These results suggest that a functional imbalance among various types of GTP binding proteins (Gs, Gi or Go) might be related to the acquisition of the epileptogenesis in the kindling model of epilepsy.

Involvement of the dorsal hippocampus in mediation of the antianxiety action of tandospirone, a 5-hydroxytryptamine1A agonistic anxiolytic

The effect of tandospirone, a 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1A agonist/anxiolytic, injected directly into dorsal hippocampus, on Vogel-type conflict behavior in rats was investigated and the findings were compared with the effects of diazepam and zopiclone. Tandospirone (30 micrograms/2 microliters and 60 micrograms/2 microliters) and diazepam (40 micrograms/2 microliters) but not zopiclone (20 micrograms/2 microliters), produced a potent anticonflict action in rats. The anticonflict action of tandospirone (30 micrograms/2 microliters), injected into the dorsal hippocampus, was significantly blocked by (-)-propranolol (5 mg/kg i.p.). The present findings provide evidence that suggests that tandospirone has an antianxiety action, presumably by stimulating 5-HT1A receptors in the dorsal hippocampus.

Medial vestibular nucleus in the guinea-pig. II. Ionic basis of the intrinsic membrane properties in brainstem slices

In the preceding paper, medial vestibular nuclei neurones (MVNn) were shown to belong to two main classes, A MVNn and B MVNn, depending on their membrane properties in brainstem slices. In the following study we attempted to confirm this segregation by studying some of the ionic conductances that these cells are endowed with. Type A MVNn demonstrated small high threshold calcium spikes that could be potentiated by barium, a 4-AP resistant A-like conductance and a calcium-dependent afterhyperpolarization. Type B MVNn, in contrast, had large high threshold calcium spikes and prolonged calcium-dependent plateau potentials. In addition, they had a calcium-dependent afterhyperpolarization as well as a subthreshold persistent sodium conductance. A subpopulation of B MVNn had also low threshold calcium spikes that gave them bursting properties. These data confirm the segregation of MVN neurones into two main classes and will be discussed with respect to the firing characteristics of vestibular neurones in vivo.

Electrophysiology of GABA-mediated synaptic transmission and possible roles in epilepsy

Epileptogenic conditions come about from a disequilibrium between excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms, creating a state of neuronal hypersynchrony. From experimental studies in animal models of epilepsy it appears that several mechanisms, alone or in combination, could be responsible for this imbalance. An alteration of GABA-mediated inhibition has long been considered to be one of the most likely candidates. We review recent data on the synaptic physiology of GABA-mediated inhibition, with emphasis on GABAA and GABAB receptors and their conductances. We describe the integrative role of GABAergic local-circuit neurons in the normal control of recurrent excitation. We then discuss possible alterations in GABAA-mediated inhibition in two chronic animal models of epilepsy, the kindled rat and the kainate-treated rat. Finally, we review studies on GABA inhibition in human epileptic cortex resected for the treatment of intractable epilepsy.

Plateau potentials and active integration in the 'final common pathway' for motor behaviour

Most studies of vertebrate spinal motoneurones have suggested that they possess relatively simple membrane properties, causing them to behave merely as passively driven output neurones in motor behaviour. According to this concept, motoneurones passively transform the net synaptic drive from pre-motoneuronal levels into spike trains. Recent research has demonstrated a more complex picture by showing that motoneurones can express nonlinear intrinsic response properties, such as plateau potentials and endogenous oscillatory properties. This work suggests that the 'final common pathway' is actively involved in shaping motor behaviour.

Mechanisms underlying potentiation of synaptic transmission in rat anterior cingulate cortex in vitro

1. The properties of the excitatory synapse made by callosal inputs onto layer V and layer VI cells in the anterior cingulate cortex were studied in an in vitro slice preparation with intracellular recording. 2. In the presence of picrotoxin, the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) had two components, a fast component blocked by the non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) and a slow component blocked by the NMDA receptor antagonist DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV). 3. Delivery of a brief tetanus to the afferent fibres led to a long-term potentiation (LTP) of the initial slope of the monosynaptic EPSP. The LTP displayed the property of co-operativity and could be blocked by APV or by buffering intracellular calcium. 4. Pairing of low frequency presynaptic activity or weak tetanic stimulation with postsynaptic depolarization failed to potentiate the EPSP. This suggests that postsynaptic depolarization alone is unable to explain the co-operativity. 5. It is concluded that the transmitter mediating the excitatory input between callosal afferents and layer V and layer VI pyramidal neurones is glutamate. Tetanic stimulation of these afferents leads to LTP which shares many but not all the properties of LTP seen in the CA1 region of the hippocampus.

Adenosine depresses excitatory but not fast inhibitory synaptic transmission in area CA1 of the rat hippocampus

The effects of adenosine on inhibitory synaptic transmission in area CA1 were examined using the rat hippocampal slice preparation and intracellular recording. Adenosine did not change fast inhibitory synaptic potentials (IPSPs) but depressed late IPSPs evoked by direct activation of interneurons in the presence of 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX) and D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV). Directly activated IPSPs were unchanged by the selective adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyltheophylline (CPT), but CPT reversed hyperpolarization and depression of late IPSPs produced by adenosine. These results indicate that adenosine depresses disynaptic IPSPs in area CA1 by decreasing synaptic activation of inhibitory neurons.

K+ channel and 5-hydroxytryptamine1A autoreceptor interactions in the rat dorsal raphe nucleus: an in vitro electrophysiological study

Extracellular recordings were made from serotonergic neurons of the rat dorsal raphe nucleus in a slice preparation. In the presence of phenylephrine (3 microM) to restore the pacemaker activity of otherwise silent serotonergic neurons, superfusion with the 5-hydroxytryptamine1A agonist ipsapirone depressed the firing of these neurons with an IC50 of approximately 50 nM. Complete inhibition was achieved with 100-300 nM of the drug. Concomitant superfusion with the 5-hydroxytryptamine1A antagonists spiperone (100 nM) or propranolol (10 microM) markedly reduced the inhibitory effect of ipsapirone (100 nM). Superfusion with K+ channel blockers such as apamin (50-100 nM), charybdotoxin (100 nM) or Ba2+ (1 mM) did not induce any changes in the electrical activity of serotonergic neurons. However, 4-aminopyridine (0.1-1 mM) disrupted the regularity of their discharge without affecting the mean firing rate. The ipsapirone-induced inhibition was unchanged by apamin and charybdotoxin, but was markedly reduced by Ba2+ and 4-aminopyridine. Thus the IC50 of ipsapirone was shifted to approximately 150 nM in the presence of 1 mM of 4-aminopyridine. These results indicate that, in serotonergic neurons within the dorsal raphe nucleus, the K+ channel opened through the stimulation of 5-hydroxytryptamine1A autoreceptors is 4-aminopyridine-sensitive.

Electron microscopic immunocytochemical evidence that the calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase is localized predominantly at postsynaptic sites in the rat brain

The calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase represents an important junction between the Ca2+ and the cyclic AMP/cyclic GMP second messenger systems. In brain it is a major cyclic nucleotide-degrading activity and is selectively expressed in the soma and dendrites of regional output neurons [Kincaid et al. (1987) Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84, 1118-1122]. In this study the subcellular localization of this enzyme in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and inferior colliculus of rat brain was analysed by electron microscopic immunocytochemical methods using affinity-purified antibodies. The immunoreactivity was found exclusively within neurons whereas glial cells were unstained; preabsorption of antibody with phosphodiesterase eliminated this reactivity, demonstrating the specificity of immunostaining. In the neuronal cell bodies, deposits of immunoreaction product occurred as sparse patches in the cytoplasm and were often associated with organelles such as mitochondria, Golgi-complex and endoplasmic reticulum; nuclei, however, were free from immunoreaction product. In the neuronal processes immunoreactivity was found within dendrites and dendritic spines, whereas the myelinated axons and axon terminals were immunonegative. The postsynaptic densities of asymmetric synapses were associated with especially high concentrations of immunoreaction product. However, the immunopositive synaptic profiles appeared to be quite selective, comprising only a small percentage of the total number of synapses in the neuropil. Our results indicate that the calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase is concentrated at postsynaptic sites in specific classes of neurons. This finding supports other morphological evidence indicating a primary role for cyclic nucleotide action in postsynaptic and not presynaptic structures. Furthermore, since this enzyme is regulated by Ca2+, this interface between second messenger systems seems to play a significant role in the postsynaptic integration of Ca(2+)-mediated neuronal inputs.

Antagonism of the morphine-induced locomotor activation of mice by fructose: comparison with other opiates and sugars, and sugar effects on brain morphine

The mouse locomotor activation test of opiate action in a 2+2 dose parallel line assay was used in a repeated testing paradigm to determine the test, opiate and hexose specificities of a previously reported antagonism of morphine-induced antinocociception by hyperglycemia. In opiate specificity studies, fructose (5 g/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced the potency ratio for morphine and methadone, but not for levorphanol, meperidine or phenazocine when intragroup comparisons were made. In intergroup comparisons, fructose significantly reduced the potencies of levorphanol and phenazocine, but not methadone or meperidine. In hexose/polyol specificity studies, tagatose and fructose significantly reduced the potency ratio for morphine, whereas glucose, galactose, mannose and the polyols, sorbitol and xylitol, caused no significant decrease in potency. Fructose, tagatose, glucose and mannose (5 g/kg, i.p.) were tested for effects on brain morphine levels 30 min after morphine (60 min after sugar), and all four sugars significantly increased brain morphine relative to saline-pretreated controls. It is concluded that the antagonism of morphine by acute sugar administration shows specificity for certain sugars and occurs despite sugar-induced increases in the distribution of morphine to the brain. Furthermore, the effects of fructose show an opiate specificity similar to that of glucose on antinociception observed previously in our laboratory, except that methadone was also significantly inhibited in the present study, when a repeated-testing experimental design was used.

Adenosine receptor subtypes in the brainstem mediate distinct cardiovascular response patterns

A limited occipital craniotomy was conducted on urethane-chloralose anesthetized, spontaneously breathing rats to expose the caudal medulla in the region of the obex. Microinjections of highly selective agonists for adenosine receptor subtypes were made into the medial region of the caudal nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) at the level of the posterior portion of the area postrema. Cardiorespiratory parameters were subsequently recorded for a 60-min test period following microinjection of drug or vehicle solutions. The following selective adenosine receptor agonists were used: the A1 agonist, N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), which is 480-fold selective for A1 receptors in rat brain binding assays, and the A2 agonist, 2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS 21680), which is 170-fold selective for A2 receptors in rat brain binding studies and over 1500-fold selective in functional assays. The results showed that distinct and converse cardiovascular response patterns were elicited by these selective agonists for adenosine receptor subtypes following microinjections into the caudal NTS. Specifically, CGS 21680 selectively elicited potent dose-related decreases in mean arterial blood pressure (ED50 = 0.064 nmol/kg) and dose-related decreases in pulse pressure (ED50= 0.058 nmol/kg). Conversely, CPA selectively elicited potent dose-related increases in mean arterial blood pressure (ED50 = 0.62 nmol/kg) and dose-related increases in pulse pressure (ED50 = 0.70 nmol/kg). Additionally, the overall agonist-mediated response patterns were dramatically different wherein the CGS agonist exhibited a considerably more rapid time course in eliciting its hypotensive responses whereas CPA exhibited a more delayed and substantially longer time course to exert its hypertensive responses. Additionally, these distinct and converse cardiovascular response patterns were further shown to be receptor-selective since the depressor responses elicited by the A2 receptor agonist, CGS 21680, and the pressor responses elicited by the A1 receptor agonist, CPA, were completely and selectively blocked, respectively, by the selective A2 receptor antagonist, CGS 15943A, and the selective A1 receptor antagonist, DPCPX. Taken together, these findings provide persuasive in vivo evidence showing that pharmacologic activation of adenosine receptor subtypes in the caudal NTS of rats elicits specific response patterns with selective and opposite actions on cardiorespiratory behavior. These data also indicate that separate physiologic responses are specifically mediated by A2 receptors in the intact nervous system and thereby lend additional support to the case for using in vivo models to assess the functional role of adenosine A2 receptors in brain function.

Kinetics of the dual-action mechanism of narcotic substances: conditions for conservative functioning of enzyme-receptor systems

We have studied the kinetics of the conservative behavior of systems which are subject to the dual action of an external effector or a negative feedback. Conditions have been found under which the dual-action mechanism produces conservative behavior. Negative feedback alone was shown not to produce the conservative behavior of an enzyme-receptor system.

Basal forebrain lesions with or without reserpine injection inhibit cortical reorganization in rat hindpaw primary somatosensory cortex following sciatic nerve section

To test the hypothesis that cortical reorganization depends on acetylcholine and one or more of the monoamines, the hindpaw cortex was mapped in eight different groups of mature rats: (1) untreated; (2) after sciatic nerve transection; (3) after intraperitoneal injections of reserpine, to reduce the level of cortical monoamines; (4) after ibotenic acid lesion of the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM), to destroy cholinergic cells projecting to the cortex; (5) after reserpine treatment and transection; (6) after ibotenic acid lesion and transection; (7) after reserpine treatment and ibotenic acid lesion; and (8) after reserpine treatment, ibotenic acid lesion, and transection. Four days after transection, the cortex had reorganized in the transected group. However, this process of reorganization was prevented in transected animals with NBM lesions. Treatment with reserpine alone did not inhibit the process of reorganization, nor did it enhance the effect of NBM lesion. Nonetheless, the animals treated with reserpine and transected had higher response thresholds in the reorganized cortex than did the animals that were treated but not transected. These data suggest that acetylcholine plays an important role in the early reorganization that follows deafferentation, and that one or more of the monoamines may have other influences on reorganization of the primary somatosensory cortex of adult rats.