A comparison of paired-pulse facilitation of AMPA and NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents in the hippocampus

1994 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 272-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Clark ◽  
A. D. Randall ◽  
G. L. Collingridge
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Excitatory Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Paired Pulse ◽  
Paired Pulse Facilitation ◽  
Postsynaptic Currents

Corticostriatal Paired-Pulse Potentiation Produced by Voltage-Dependent Activation of NMDA Receptors and L-Type Ca2+ Channels

2002 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garnik Akopian ◽  
John P. Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Nmda Receptors ◽  
Ampa Receptor ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Excitatory Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Paired Pulse ◽  
Stimulation Intensity ◽  
Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Voltage Dependent

AMPA and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated synaptic responses expressed differential paired-pulse plasticity when examined in the same cell using intracellular or whole cell voltage-clamp recordings. Electrical stimulation of corticostriatal afferents in brain slices bathed in artificial cerebrospinal fluid containing bicuculline produces excitatory postsynaptic potentials and excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) mediated primarily by AMPA receptors. Cell-to-cell variation existed in AMPA receptor paired-pulse plasticity, but within-cell plasticity was stable over a range of stimulation intensities. Addition of 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxalene-2,3-dione blocked most of the synaptic response leaving behind a small AP-5-sensitive component. Increasing the stimulation intensity produced large, long-lasting NMDA receptor-mediated responses. In contrast to AMPA receptor-mediated responses, NMDA receptor responses consistently showed an increase in paired-pulse potentiation with increasing stimulation intensity. This relationship was restricted to interstimulus intervals shorter than 100 ms. Paired-pulse potentiation of NMDA receptor responses was voltage-dependent and reduced by removal of extracellular Mg2+. Block of postsynaptic L-type Ca2+ channels with nifedipine produced a voltage-dependent reduction of NMDA receptor excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) and a voltage-dependent reduction of NMDA receptor paired-pulse potentiation. These data indicate depolarization during the first NMDA receptor response causes facilitation of the second by removing voltage-dependent block of NMDA receptors by Mg2+ and by activating voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels.

Histamine Suppresses Non-NMDA Excitatory Synaptic Currents in Rat Supraoptic Nucleus Neurons

2000 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 2616-2625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenhui Li ◽  
Glenn I. Hatton
Keyword(s):  
Supraoptic Nucleus ◽  
Synaptic Currents ◽  
Excitatory Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Paired Pulse ◽  
Paired Pulse Facilitation ◽  
Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Whole Cell Patch Clamp ◽  
Bath Application ◽  
Intracellular Diffusion ◽  
Supraoptic Neurons

Whole cell patch-clamp recordings were obtained from supraoptic neurons to investigate the effects of histamine on excitatory postsynaptic currents evoked by electrical stimulation of areas around the posterior supraoptic nucleus. When cells were voltage-clamped at −70 mV, evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents had amplitudes of 88.4 ± 9.6 pA and durations of 41.1 ± 3.0 ms (mean ± SE; n = 43). With twin stimulus pulses (20 Hz) used, paired-pulse facilitation ratios were 1.93 ± 0.12. Bath application of 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxalene-2,3-dione (CNQX) abolished synaptic currents. Histamine at concentrations ∼0.1–10 μM reversibly suppressed excitatory postsynaptic currents in all supraoptic neurons tested. Within 2 min after application of (10 μM) histamine, current amplitudes and durations decreased by 61.5 and 31.0%, respectively, with little change in the paired-pulse facilitation ratio. Dimaprit or imetit (H2 or H3 receptor agonists) did not reduce synaptic currents, whereas pyrilamine (H1 receptor antagonist) blocked histamine-induced suppression of synaptic currents. When patch electrodes containing guanosine 5′- O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP-β-S) were used to record cells, histamine still suppressed current amplitudes by 49.1% and durations by 41.9%. Similarly, intracellular diffusion of bis-( o-aminophenoxy)- N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) and H7 did not abolish histamine-induced suppression of synaptic currents, either. Bath perifusion of 8-bromo-quanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate reduced current amplitudes by 32.3% and durations by 27.9%. After bath perfusion of slices with Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), histamine injection decreased current amplitudes only by 31.9%, much less than the inhibition rate in control ( P < 0.01). In addition, histamine induced little change in current durations and paired-pulse facilitation ratios, representing a partial blockade of histamine effects on synaptic currents by L-NAME. In supraoptic neurons recorded using electrodes containing BAPTA and perifused with L-NAME, the effects of histamine on synaptic currents were completely abolished. Norepinephrine injection reversibly decreased current amplitudes by 39.1% and duration by 64.5%, with a drop in the paired-pulse facilitation ratio of 47.9%. Bath perifusion of L-NAME, as well as intracellular diffusion of GDP-β-S, , 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-piperazine , or BAPTA, failed to block norepinephrine-induced suppression of evoked synaptic currents. The present results suggest that histamine suppresses non- N-methyl-d-aspartate synaptic currents in supraoptic neurons through activation of H1receptors. It is possible that histamine first acts at supraoptic cells (perhaps both neuronal and nonneuronal) and induces the production of nitric oxide, which then diffuses to nearby neurons and modulates synaptic transmission by a postsynaptic mechanism.

scholarly journals Maturation of NMDA receptor-mediated spontaneous postsynaptic currents in the rat locus coeruleus neurons

2020 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-29
Author(s):  
M Kourosh-Arami ◽  
S Hajizadeh
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Nmda Receptors ◽  
Locus Coeruleus ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Mammalian Brain ◽  
Glutamatergic Synapses ◽  
Excitatory Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Postnatal Maturation ◽  
Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Spontaneous Postsynaptic Currents

AbstractIntroductionDuring mammalian brain development, neural activity leads to maturation of glutamatergic innervations to locus coeruleus. In this study, fast excitatory postsynaptic currents mediated by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors were evaluated to investigate the maturation of excitatory postsynaptic currents in locus coeruleus (LC) neurons.MethodsNMDA receptor-mediated synaptic currents in LC neurons were evaluated using whole-cell voltage-clamp recording during the primary postnatal weeks. This technique was used to calculate the optimum holding potential for NMDA receptor-mediated currents and the best frequency for detecting spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSC).ResultsThe optimum holding potential for detecting NMDA receptor-mediated currents was + 40 to + 50 mV in LC neurons. The frequency, amplitude, rise time, and decay time constant of synaptic responses depended on the age of the animal and increased during postnatal maturation.ConclusionThese findings suggest that most nascent glutamatergic synapses express functional NMDA receptors in the postnatal coerulear neurons, and that the activities of the neurons in this region demonstrate an age-dependent variation.

Enflurane Directly Depresses Glutamate AMPA and NMDA Currents in Mouse Spinal Cord Motor Neurons Independent of Actions on GABAAor Glycine Receptors

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 1075-1084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gong Cheng ◽  
Joan J. Kendig
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Glutamate Receptors ◽  
Dorsal Horn ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Gamma Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Excitatory Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Anesthetic Concentration

Background The spinal cord is an important anatomic site at which volatile agents act to prevent movement in response to a noxious stimulus. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that enflurane acts directly on motor neurons to inhibit excitatory synaptic transmission at glutamate receptors. Methods Whole-cell recordings were made in visually identified motor neurons in spinal cord slices from 1- to 4-day-old mice. Excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) or potentials (EPSPs) were evoked by electrical stimulation of the dorsal root entry area or dorsal horn. The EPSCs were isolated pharmacologically into glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor- and non-NMDA receptor-mediated components by using selective antagonists. Currents also were evoked by brief pulse pressure ejection of glutamate under various conditions of pharmacologic blockade. Enflurane was made up as a saturated stock solution and diluted in the superfusate; concentrations were measured using gas chromatography. Results Excitatory postsynaptic currents and EPSPs recorded from motor neurons by stimulation in the dorsal horn were mediated by glutamate receptors of both non-NMDA and NMDA subtypes. Enflurane at a general anesthetic concentration (one minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration) reversibly depressed EPSCs and EPSPs. Enflurane also depressed glutamate-evoked currents in the presence of tetrodotoxin (300 nm), showing that its actions are postsynaptic. Block of inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid A and glycine receptors by bicuculline (20 micrometer) or strychnine (2 micrometer) or both did not significantly reduce the effects of enflurane on glutamate-evoked currents. Enflurane also depressed glutamate-evoked currents if the inhibitory receptors were blocked and if either D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (50 micrometer) or 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione disodium (10 micrometer) was applied to block NMDA or alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid-kainate receptors respectively. Conclusions Enflurane exerts direct depressant effects on both alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid and NMDA glutamate currents in motor neurons. Enhancement of gamma-aminobutyric acid A and glycine inhibition is not needed for this effect. Direct depression of glutamatergic excitatory transmission by a postsynaptic action on motor neurons thus may contribute to general anesthesia as defined by immobility in response to a noxious stimulus.

Excitatory Synaptic Transmission Mediated by NMDA Receptors Is More Sensitive to Isoflurane than Are Non-NMDA Receptor-mediated Responses

2000 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 228-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koh-ichi Nishikawa ◽  
M. Bruce MacIver
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Nmda Receptors ◽  
Excitatory Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Similar Degree ◽  
Paired Pulse ◽  
Paired Pulse Facilitation ◽  
Anesthetic Agents ◽  
Presynaptic Mechanisms ◽  
Decay Times

Background Effects of volatile anesthetic agents on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated excitatory synaptic transmission have not been well characterized. The authors compared effects produced by halothane and isoflurane on electrophysiologic properties of NMDA and non-NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic responses in slices from the rat hippocampus. Methods Field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in the CA1 area were recorded with extracellular electrodes after electrical stimulation of Schaffer-collateral-commissural fiber inputs. NMDA or non-NMDA receptor-mediated fEPSPs were pharmacologically isolated using selective antagonists. Clinically relevant concentrations of halothane or isoflurane were applied to slices in an artificial cerebrospinal fluid perfusate. Paired pulse facilitation was used as a measure of presynaptic effects of the anesthetic agents. Results Clinically relevant concentrations of halothane (1.2 vol% approximately 0.35 mM) depressed fEPSP amplitudes mediated by NMDA receptors and non-NMDA receptors to a similar degree (mean +/- SD: 63.3 +/- 14.0% of control, n = 5; 60.2 +/- 7.3% of control, n = 7, respectively). In contrast, isoflurane (1.4 vol% approximately 0.50 mM) preferentially depressed fEPSP amplitudes mediated by NMDA receptors (44.0 +/- 7.4% of control, n = 6, P &lt; 0.001) compared with those for non-NMDA receptors (68.7 +/- 5.4% of control n = 6), indicating a selective, additional postsynaptic effect. Paired pulse facilitation of fEPSPs was increased significantly by both anesthetic agents from 1.37 +/- 0.13 to 1.91 +/- 0.25 (n = 5, P &lt; 0.05 for halothane) and from 1.44 +/- 0.04 to 1.64 +/- 0.08 (n = 5, P &lt; 0.01 for isoflurane), suggesting that presynaptic mechanisms are also involved in fEPSP depression produced by the anesthetic agents. Neither rise times nor decay times of fEPSPs were changed in the presence of the anesthetic agents. Conclusions These results indicate that fEPSPs mediated by postsynaptic NMDA receptors are more sensitive to clinically relevant concentrations of isoflurane than are non-NMDA receptor-mediated responses, but this selective effect was not observed for halothane. Both agents also appeared to depress release of glutamate from nerve terminals via presynaptic actions.

scholarly journals Modulation of NMDA Receptor Properties and Synaptic Transmission by the NR3A Subunit in Mouse Hippocampal and Cerebrocortical Neurons

2008 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Tong ◽  
Hiroto Takahashi ◽  
Shichun Tu ◽  
Yeonsook Shin ◽  
Maria Talantova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Xenopus Oocytes ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Excitatory Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Mammalian Cell Lines ◽  
Induced Currents ◽  
Channel Properties ◽  
Two Populations

Expression of the NR3A subunit with NR1/NR2 in Xenopus oocytes or mammalian cell lines leads to a reduction in N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-induced currents and decreased Mg2+ sensitivity and Ca2+ permeability compared with NR1/NR2 receptors. Consistent with these findings, neurons from NR3A knockout (KO) mice exhibit enhanced NMDA-induced currents. Recombinant NR3A can also form excitatory glycine receptors with NR1 in the absence of NR2. However, the effects of NR3A on channel properties in neurons and synaptic transmission have not been fully elucidated. To study physiological roles of NR3A subunits, we generated NR3A transgenic (Tg) mice. Cultured NR3A Tg neurons exhibited two populations of NMDA receptor (NMDAR) channels, reduced Mg2+ sensitivity, and decreased Ca2+ permeability in response to NMDA/glycine, but glycine alone did not elicit excitatory currents. In addition, NMDAR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in NR3A Tg hippocampal slices showed reduced Mg2+ sensitivity, consistent with the notion that NR3A subunits incorporated into synaptic NMDARs. To study the function of endogenous NR3A subunits, we compared NMDAR-mediated EPSCs in NR3A KO and WT control mice. In NR3A KO mice, the ratio of the amplitudes of the NMDAR-mediated component to α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor-mediated component of the EPSC was significantly larger than that seen in WT littermates. This result suggests that NR3A subunits contributed to the NMDAR-mediated component of the EPSC in WT mice. Taken together, these results show that NR3A subunits contribute to NMDAR responses from both synaptic and extrasynaptic receptors, likely composed of NR1, NR2, and NR3 subunits.

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