Serotonin modifies the neuronal inhibitory responses to gamma-aminobutyric acid in the red nucleus: a microiontophoretic study in the rat

Noradrenergic modulation of glutamate-induced excitatory responses in single neurons of the red nucleus: an electrophysiological study

The effect induced by noradrenaline (NA) on the spiking activity evoked by glutamate (Glu) on single neurons of the mesencephalic red nucleus (RN) of the rat was studied extracellularly. Long-lasting microiontophoretic applications of the amine induced a significant and reversible depression of the responsiveness of RN neurons to Glu. This effect was mediated by noradrenergic alpha2 receptors since it was mimicked by application of clonidine, an alpha2 adrenoceptor agonist, and blocked or at least reduced by application of yohimbine, an antagonist of NA for the same receptors. The effect appears homogeneously throughout the nucleus and is independent of the effect of NA on baseline firing rate. Application of isoproterenol, a beta adrenoceptor agonist, either enhanced or depressed neuronal responses to Glu in a high percentage (86%) of the tested neurons. Moreover, application of timolol, a beta adrenoceptor antagonist, was able to strengthen the depressive effects induced by NA application on neuronal responsiveness to Glu. Although these data suggest some involvement of beta adrenergic receptors in the modulation of neuronal responsiveness to Glu, the overall results indicate a short-term depressive action of NA, mediated by alpha2 receptors, on the responsiveness of RN neurons and suggest that stress initially leads to an attenuation of the relay function of the RN.

Imbalanced genomic imprinting in brain development: an evolutionary basis for the aetiology of autism

We describe a new hypothesis for the development of autism, that it is driven by imbalances in brain development involving enhanced effects of paternally expressed imprinted genes, deficits of effects from maternally expressed genes, or both. This hypothesis is supported by: (1) the strong genomic-imprinting component to the genetic and developmental mechanisms of autism, Angelman syndrome, Rett syndrome and Turner syndrome; (2) the core behavioural features of autism, such as self-focused behaviour, altered social interactions and language, and enhanced spatial and mechanistic cognition and abilities, and (3) the degree to which relevant brain functions and structures are altered in autism and related disorders. The imprinted brain theory of autism has important implications for understanding the genetic, epigenetic, neurological and cognitive bases of autism, as ultimately due to imbalances in the outcomes of intragenomic conflict between effects of maternally vs. paternally expressed genes.

Serotonin as a modulator of glutamate- and GABA-mediated neurotransmission: implications in physiological functions and in pathology

The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT), widely distributed in the central nervous system (CNS), is involved in a large variety of physiological functions. In several brain regions 5-HT is diffusely released by volume transmission and behaves as a neuromodulator rather than as a "classical" neurotransmitter. In some cases 5-HT is co-localized in the same nerve terminal with other neurotransmitters and reciprocal interactions take place. This review will focus on the modulatory action of 5-HT on the effects of glutamate and gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA), which are the principal neurotransmitters mediating respectively excitatory and inhibitory signals in the CNS. Examples of interaction at pre-and/or post-synaptic levels will be illustrated, as well as the receptors involved and their mechanisms of action. Finally, the physiological meaning of neuromodulatory effects of 5-HT will be briefly discussed with respect to pathologies deriving from malfunctioning of serotonin system.

Histamine elicits neuronal excitatory response of red nucleus in the rat via H2 receptors in vitro

Perfusing slices with histamine (1-100 microM) produced an excitatory response in rat rubral neurons (118/132, 89.4%). The histamine-induced excitation was not blocked by the low-Ca2+/high-Mg2+ medium (n=10), supporting a direct postsynaptic action of the amine. Histamine H2 receptor antagonist ranitidine effectively blocked the excitatory response of rubral neurons to histamine (n=26), but H1 receptor antagonist triprolidine did not (n=24). The excitatory effect of histamine could be mimicked by dimaprit, a highly selective H2 receptor agonist (n=24), and the dimaprit-elicited excitation of the rubral neurons could be blocked by ranitidine (n=16), but not by triprolidine (n=9). In addition, H1 receptor agonist 2-pyridylethylamine could not elicit any response in rubral neurons (n=12). These results indicate that histamine excites red nucleus neurons through H2 receptors and suggest that the histaminergic afferent fibers may play an important functional role in the sensorimotor integration through the red nucleus.

Ketanserin stabilizes blood pressure in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. It has been demonstrated that blood pressure variability (BPV) is increased in hypertension and related to organ damage. It will be important to lower BPV in the treatment of hypertension. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of ketanserin, a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist with a weak alpha1-adrenoceptor blocking effect, on BPV in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). 2. It was found that ketanserin decreased blood pressure (BP) and BPV in SHR when administered intravenously (3 mg/kg, i.v.). Ketanserin decreased BPV, but not the BP level, when administered intracerebroventricularly (50 microg/rat, i.c.v.). 3. Prazosin, an alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist, lowered BP but did not affect BPV when given either i.v. (0.5 mg/kg) or i.c.v. (30 microg/rat). Ritanserin (0.625 mg/kg, i.v.; 40 microg/rat, i.c.v.), a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, decreased BPV only when administered i.c.v. and did not modify the BP level. 4. Ketanserin enhanced arterial baroreflex function in SHR when given either i.v. or i.c.v. 5. The stabilizing effect of ketanserin on BP was persistent when administered intragastrically. This administration route is similar to oral administration clinically. 6. It is concluded that ketanserin is an antihypertensive agent with an effect of reducing BPV. This effect is mainly mediated by central 5-HT2A receptors and is probably attributable to the restoration of arterial baroreflex function.