Serine released from hippocampal slices during deprivation of oxygen and glucose enhances the effects of glutamate on neuronal function

A comparison between the stimulated and paroxysmal release of endogenous amino acids from rat cerebellar, striatal and hippocampal slices: a manifestation of spreading depression?

Spreading depression, which can be evoked by a variety of stimuli both in vitro and in vivo, is associated with profound changes in extracellular ion concentrations and enhanced release of neurotransmitter amino acids. We have observed a transient spontaneous release of amino acids in slice preparations obtained from rat cerebellum, striatum and hippocampus; this phenomenon has similar properties to stimulus-evoked spreading depression. Aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, serine, glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release were potentiated during these episodes in all three brain regions, with a variable effect upon taurine release. When compared to glutamate release, a consistently high release of aspartate, glycine and serine was observed. Amino acid release, evoked by whole slice depolarization using veratridine (10-25 microM) or elevated potassium (35-60 mM) consistently enhanced glutamate release, and to a lesser extent aspartate release, but had negligible effect upon the other amino acids. Thus, the release profiles for spontaneous and depolarization-evoked release are markedly different. We suggest that the spontaneous release observed in brain slices represents a spreading depression-like phenomenon; the putative roles of the amino acids are discussed.

Toluene inhibits synaptic transmission without causing gross morphological disturbances

The effects of toluene on synaptic transmission and neuronal morphology were investigated using guinea pig hippocampal slices. Population spikes (PS) were elicited in granule cell layer by stimulation of the perforant path and antidromic potentials (AP) were evoked in the same locii by stimulation of mossy fibers. Toluene at a concentration of 1000 micrograms/ml completely depressed post-synaptic responses within 15 min but increased the AP to 140% of its original value. The PS recovered completely when washout was begun 10 and 20 min after onset of depression, but exhibited only partial recovery following a 40 min depression. There were no evident changes in staining of axons or cell bodies after toluene treatment. These results indicate that toluene at high concentrations (1000 micrograms/ml) inhibits synaptic transmission selectively and with longer exposures causes lasting physiological effects unaccompanied by gross morphological changes.