Changes in [K+]o evoked by baclofen in guinea pig hippocampus

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
G V Obrocea ◽  
Mary E Morris

K+-sensitive microelectrodes were used to record changes evoked by baclofen in extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]o) and field potentials in the stratum pyramidale (SP) and stratum radiatum (SR) in the CA1b region of guinea pig hippocampal slices in vitro. Bath applications of ( ±)-baclofen (1 µM - 3 mM for approx 5 min) evoked changes in [K+]o, which were in most cases sustained throughout agonist application and reversed during washout. The maximal (Rmax) values for curves fitted to the concentration-response data were for SP and SR, respectively, 0.59 ± 0.03 and 0.65 ± 0.03 mM, and EC50 values were 39.7 and 39.4 µM, respectively. The evoked K+ and field potential changes were significantly correlated and could be blocked by 2-OH-saclofen (50 µM) and CGP 35348 (50 µM). In <= 10% of experiments baclofen (10-50 µM) induced either a decrease or a transient increase ( <= 1 min duration) in [K+]o; in some slices with concentrations >=20 µM an initial decrease preceded a progressive increase. Pressure ejection of baclofen (100 µM for 100-900 ms) evoked increases in [K+]o and field potentials, which were larger in SR than in SP. In <= 10% of slices brief and (or) sustained application of baclofen (by either bath perfusion or pressure ejection) also evoked synchronous, repetitive interictal and ictal discharges at frequencies approx 1/s and 1/12 s, respectively, an observation that affirms a proconvulsant capacity. It is concluded that (i) although increases in [K+]o evoked by baclofen in SR compared with SP are slightly larger, they are not significantly different, (ii) GABAB receptor subtype(s) in SR and SP appear similar, as they have identical affinities, and (iii) [K+]o accumulations evoked by GABA likely include a contribution from a GABAB receptor activated K+ conductance, especially in dendritic regions.Key words: brain slices, stratum pyramidale, stratum radiatum, GABAB receptors, ion-selective microelectrodes, epileptiform activity.

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 378-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
G V Obrocea ◽  
M E Morris

Ion-selective microelectrode recordings were made to assess a possible contribution of extracellular γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) accumulation to early responses evoked in the brain by anoxia and ischemia. Changes evoked by GABA or N2 in [K+]o, [Cl-]o, [Na+]o, and [TMA+]o were recorded in the cell body and dendritic regions of the stratum pyramidale (SP) and stratum radiatum (SR), respectively, of pyramidal neurons in CA1 of guinea pig hippocampal slices. Bath application of GABA (1-10 mM) for approximately 5 min evoked changes in [K+]o and [Cl-]o with respective EC50 levels of 3.8 and 4.1 mM in SP, and 4.7 and 5.6 mM in SR. In SP 5 mM GABA reversibly increased [K+]o and [Cl-]o and decreased [Na+]o; replacement of 95% O2 -5% CO2 by 95% N2 -5% CO2 for a similar period of time evoked changes which were for each ion in the same direction as those with GABA. In SR both GABA and N2 caused increases in [K+]o and decreases in [Cl-]o and [Na+]o. The reduction of extracellular space, estimated from levels of [TMA+]o during exposures to GABA and N2, was 5-6% and insufficient to cause the observed changes in ion concentration. Ion changes induced by GABA and N2 were reversibly attenuated by the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline methiodide (BMI, 100 µM). GABA-evoked changes in [K+]o in SP and SR and [Cl-]o in SP were depressed by >=90%, and of [Cl-]o in SR by 50%; N2-evoked changes in [K+]o in SP and SR were decreased by 70% and those of [Cl-]o by 50%. BMI blocked Δ [Na+]o with both GABA and N2 by 20-30%. It is concluded that during early anoxia: (i) accumulation of GABA and activation of GABAA receptors may contribute to the ion changes and play a significant role, and (ii) responses in the dendritic (SR) regions are greater than and (or) differ from those in the somal (SP) layers. A large component of the [K+]o increase may involve a GABA-evoked Ca2+-activated gk, secondary to [Ca2+]i increase. A major part of [Cl-]o changes may arise from GABA-induced gCl and glial efflux, with strong stimulation of active outward transport and anion exchange at SP, and inward Na+/K+/2Cl- co-transport at SR. Na+ influx is attributable mainly to Na+-dependent transmitter uptake, with only a small amount related to GABAA receptor activation. Although the release and (or) accumulation of GABA during anoxia might be viewed as potentially protectant, the ultimate role may more likely be an important contribution to toxicity and delayed neuronal death. Key words: brain slices, ion-selective microelectrodes, stratum pyramidale, stratum radiatum, bicuculline methiodide, extracellular space shrinkage.


1991 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 1055-1066 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Ballyk ◽  
S. J. Quackenbush ◽  
R. D. Andrew

1. Lowered osmolality promotes epileptiform activity both clinically and in the hippocampal slice preparation, but it is unclear how neurons are excited. We studied the effects of altered osmolality on the electrophysiological properties of CA1 pyramidal cells in hippocampal slices by the use of field and intracellular recordings. The excitability of these neurons under various osmotic conditions was gauged by population spike (PS) amplitude, single cell properties, and evoked synaptic input. 2. The orthodromic PS recorded in stratum pyramidale and the field excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) in stratum radiatum were inversely proportional in amplitude to the artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) osmolality over a range of +/- 80 milliosmoles/kgH2O (mosM). The effect was osmotic because changes occurred within the time frame expected for cellular expansion or shrinkage and because permeable substances such as dimethyl sulfoxide or glycerol were without effect. Dilutional changes in ACSF constituents were experimentally ruled out as promoting excitability. 3. To test whether the field data resulted from a change in single-cell excitability, CA1 cells were intracellularly recorded during exposure to +/- 40 mosM ACSF over 15 min. There was no consistent effect upon CA1 resting potential, cell input resistance, or action potential threshold. 4. Osmotic alteration of orthodromic and antidromic field potentials might involve a change in axonal excitability. However, the evoked afferent volley recorded in CA1 stratum pyramidale or radiatum, which represents the compound action potential (CAP) generated in presynaptic axons, remained osmotically unresponsive with regard to amplitude, duration, or latency. This was also characteristic of CAPs evoked in isolated sciatic and vagus nerve preparations exposed to +/- 80 mosM. Therefore axonal excitability and associated extracellular current flow generated periaxonally are not significantly affected by osmotic shifts. 5. The osmotic effect on field potential amplitudes appeared to be independent of synaptic transmission because the inverse relationship with osmolality held for the antidromically evoked PS. Moreover, as recorded with respect to ground, the intracellular EPSP-inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) sequence (evoked from CA3 stratum radiatum) was not altered by osmolality. 6. The PS could occasionally be recorded intracellularly as a brief negativity interrupting the evoked EPSP. In hyposmotic ACSF, the amplitude increased and action potentials arose from the trough of the negativity as expected for a field effect. This is presumably the result of enhanced intracellular channeling of current caused by the increased extracellular resistance that accompanies cellular swelling.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


1986 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 409-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Konnerth ◽  
U. Heinemann ◽  
Y. Yaari

Epileptiform activity induced in rat hippocampal slices by lowering extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o) was studied with extracellular and intracellular recordings. Perfusing the slices with low Ca2+ (less than or equal to 0.2 mM) or EGTA-containing solutions blocked the synaptic responses of hippocampal pyramidal cells (HPCs). Despite the block, spontaneous paroxysms, termed seizurelike events (SLEs), appeared in the CA1 area and then recurred regularly at a stable frequency. Transient hypoxia accelerated their development and increased their frequency. When [Ca2+]o was raised in a stepwise manner, the SLEs disappeared at 0.3 mM. With extracellular recording from the CA1 stratum pyramidale, a SLE was characterized by a large negative shift in the field potential, which lasted for several seconds. During this period a large population of CA1 neurons discharged intensely and often in synchrony, as concluded from the frequent appearance of population spikes. Synchronization, however, was not a necessary precursor for the development of paroxysmal activity, but seemed to be the end result of massive neuronal excitation. The cellular counterpart of a SLE, as revealed by intracellular recording from HPCs in the discharge zone of the paroxysms, was a long-lasting depolarization shift (LDS) of up to 20 mV. This was accompanied by accelerated firing of the neuron. A prolonged after-hyperpolarization succeeded each LDS and arrested cell firing. Brief (approximately 50 ms) bursts were commonly observed before LDS onset. Single electrical stimuli applied focally to the stratum pyramidale or alveus evoked paroxysms identical to the spontaneous SLEs, provided they surpassed a critical threshold intensity. Subthreshold stimuli elicited only small local responses, whereas stimuli of varied suprathreshold intensities evoked the same maximal SLEs. Thus the buildup of a SLE is an all or nothing or a regenerative process, which mobilizes the majority, if not all, of the local neuronal population. Each SLE was followed by absolute and relative refractory periods during which focal stimulation was, respectively, ineffective and less effective in evoking a maximal SLE. In most slices the spontaneous SLEs commenced at a "focus" located in the CA1a subarea (near the subiculum). SLEs evoked by focal stimulation arose near the stimulating electrode. From their site of origin the paroxysmal discharges spread transversely through the entire CA1 area at a mean velocity of 1.74 mm/s. Consequently, the discharge zone of a SLE could encompass for several seconds the entire CA1 area.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daryl W. Hochman ◽  
Raimondo D'Ambrosio ◽  
Damir Janigro ◽  
Philip A. Schwartzkroin

Hochman, Daryl W., Raimondo D'Ambrosio, Damir Janigro, and Philip A. Schwartzkroin. Extracellular chloride and the maintenance of spontaneous epileptiform activity in rat hippocampal slices. J. Neurophysiol. 81: 49–59, 1999. Previous studies showed that furosemide blocks spontaneous epileptiform activity without diminishing synaptic transmission or reducing hyperexcited field responses to electrical stimuli. We now test the hypothesis that the antiepileptic effects of furosemide are mediated through its blockade of the Na+,K+,2Cl− cotransporter and thus should be mimicked by a reduction of extracellular chloride ([Cl−]o). In the first set of experiments, field recordings from the CA1 cell body layer of hippocampal slices showed that spontaneous bursting developed within 10–20 min in slices perfused with low-[Cl−]o (7 mM) medium but that this spontaneous epileptiform activity ceased after a further 10–20 min. Intracellular recordings from CA1 pyramidal cells showed that normal action potential discharge could be elicited by membrane depolarization, even after the tissue was perfused with low-[Cl−]o medium for >2 h. In a second set of experiments, spontaneous bursting activity was induced in slices by perfusion with high-[K+]o (10 mM), bicuculline (100 μM), or 4-aminopyridine (100 μM). In each case, recordings from the CA1 region showed that reduction of [Cl−]o to 21 mM reversibly blocked the bursting within 1 h. Similar to previous observations with furosemide treatment, low-[Cl−]o medium blocked spontaneous hypersynchronous discharges without reducing synaptic hyperexcitability (i.e., hyperexcitable field responses evoked by electrical stimulation). In a third set of experiments, prolonged exposure (>1 h after spontaneous bursting ceased) of slices to systematically varied [Cl−]o and [K+]o resulted in one of three types of events: 1) spontaneous, long-lasting, and repetitive negative field potential shifts (7 mM [Cl−]o; 3 mM [K+]o); 2) oscillations consisting of 5- to 10-mV negative shifts in the field potential, with a period of ∼1 cycle/40 s (16 mM [Cl−]o; 12 mM [K+]o); and 3) shorter, infrequently occurring negative field shifts lasting 20–40 s (21 mM [Cl−]o; 3 mM [K+]o). Our observations indicate that the effects of low [Cl−]o on neuronal synchronization and spontaneous discharge are time dependent. Similar effects were seen with furosemide and low [Cl−]o, consistent with the hypothesis that the antiepileptic effect of furosemide is mediated by the drug's effect on chloride transporters. Finally, the results of altering extracellular potassium along with chloride suggest that blockade of the Na+, K+,2Cl− cotransporter, which normally transports chloride from the extracellular space into glial cells, is key to these antiepileptic effects.


2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARAT V. AVSHALUMOV ◽  
DUNCAN G. MACGREGOR ◽  
LILLY M. SEHGAL ◽  
MARGARET E. RICE

Increasing evidence implicates reactive oxygen species, particularly hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), as intracellular and intercellular messengers in the brain. This raises the question of how the antioxidant network in the brain can be sufficiently permissive to allow messages to be conveyed yet, at the same time, provide adequate protection against oxidative damage. Here we present evidence that this is accomplished in part by differential antioxidant compartmentalization between glia and neurons. Based on the rationale that the glia-to-neuron ratio is higher in guinea-pig brain than in rat brain, we examined the neuroprotective role of the glial antioxidant network by comparing the consequences of H2O2 elevation in slices of guinea-pig and rat brain. The effects of exogenously applied H2O2 on evoked population spikes in hippocampal slices and on edema formation in forebrain slices were assessed. In contrast to the epileptiform activity observed in rat hippocampal slices after H2O2 exposure, no pathophysiology was seen in guinea-pig hippocampal slices. Similarly, elevated H2O2 caused edema in rat brain slices but not in guinea-pig brain tissue. The resistance of guinea-pig brain tissue to H2O2 challenge was lost, however, when glutathione (GSH) synthesis was inhibited (by buthionine sulfoximine), GSH peroxidase activity was inhibited (by mercaptosuccinate) or catalase was inhibited (by 3-amino-1, 2, 4, -triazole). Strikingly, exogenously applied ascorbate, a predominantly neuronal antioxidant, could compensate for the loss of any other single component of the antioxidant network. Together, these data imply significant roles for glial antioxidants and neuronal ascorbate in the prevention of pathophysiological consequences of the endogenous neuromodulator H2O2.


1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 491-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Albowitz ◽  
P. König ◽  
U. Kuhnt

Albowitz, B., P. König, and U. Kuhnt. Spatiotemporal distribution of intracellular calcium transients during epileptiform activity in guinea pig hippocampal slices. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 491–501, 1997. Calcium ions are known to play an important role in epileptogenesis. Although there is clear evidence for increased neuronal calcium influx during epileptiform potentials, direct measurements of the corresponding intracellular calcium transients are rare and the origin of calcium influx is not known. Therefore the spatial and temporal distribution of intracellular calcium transients during epileptiform activity in guinea pig hippocampal slices was monitored with the use of the indicator Calcium-Green and a fast optical recording method. Two models of epilepsy (bicuculline and low Mg2+) were compared. In both models, single epileptiform events were evoked by electrical stimulation of the Schaffer collaterals in CA1 or of stratum pyramidale in area CA3. Intracellular calcium transients during epileptiform activity were ∼5 times larger than during control stimulation. Calcium transients during epileptiform activity were present across at least the entire CA1 area, whereas presynaptic calcium transients from stimulated fibers were only seen at a distance up to 1 mm from the stimulation site. dl-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV), a specific antagonist of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, abolished low-Mg2+ epileptiform activity and reduced bicuculline-induced epileptiform activity; it reduced calcium transients following stimulation of CA1 by only 29% (bicuculline) and 38% (low Mg2+). For comparison, calcium transients during control stimulation were 78% (bicuculline) and 69% (low Mg2+) smaller than epileptiform calcium transients. At a distance from the stimulation site, calcium transients and their NMDA-receptor-dependent components were largest in stratum pyramidale in the bicuculline model and in stratum oriens in the low-Mg2+ model. In both models, minimal onset latencies of calcium influx shifted with increasing distance to the stimulation electrode from stratum radiatum to stratum oriens. APV reduced the extent of spread of calcium transients in the low-Mg2+ model. In the bicuculline model, the spatial extent of spread of epileptiform calcium transients was not affected by application of APV; however, the mean velocity of spread was reduced from 0.20 to 0.12 m/s. In conclusion, the large size of calcium transients and of their NMDA-receptor-dependent components in stratum pyramidale or stratum oriens as well as shortest onset latencies of calcium transients at these sites suggest an important role of cell somata, basal dendrites, and possibly local circuit excitatory interactions for the generation and spread of epileptiform activity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyu Liu ◽  
Sai Zhang ◽  
Liang Zhang

Abstract Background Rodent brain slices—particularly hippocampal slices—are widely used in experimental investigations of epileptiform activity. Oxygenated artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) is used to maintain slices in vitro. Physiological or standard ACSF containing 3–3.5 mM K+, 1–2 mM Mg2+, and 1–3 mM Ca2+ generally does not induce population epileptiform activity, which can be induced by ACSF with high K+ (8–10 mM), low Mg2+, or low Ca2+ alone or in combination. While low-Mg2+ ACSF without intentionally added Mg salt but with contaminating Mg2+ (≤ 50–80 µM) from other salts can induce robust epileptiform activity in slices, it is unclear whether such epileptiform activity can be achieved using ACSF with moderately decreased Mg2+. To explore this issue, we examined the effects of moderately modified (m)ACSF with 0.8 mM Mg2+, 1.3 mM Ca2+, and 5.7 mM K+ on induction of epileptiform discharges in mouse hippocampal slices. Results Hippocampal slices were prepared from young (21–28 days old), middle-aged (13–14 months old), and aged (24–26 months old) C57/BL6 mice. Conventional thin (0.4 mm) and thick (0.6 mm) slices were obtained using a vibratome and pretreated with mACSF at 35–36 °C for 1 h prior to recordings. During perfusion with mACSF at 35–36 °C, spontaneous or self-sustained epileptiform field potentials following high-frequency stimulation were frequently recorded in slices pretreated with mACSF but not in those without the pretreatment. Seizure-like ictal discharges were more common in thick slices than in thin slices. Conclusions Prolonged exposure to mACSF by pretreatment and subsequent perfusion can induce epileptiform field potentials in mouse hippocampal slices.


1994 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 1574-1585 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. V. Colom ◽  
P. Saggau

1. The sites of origin of spontaneous interictal-like epileptiform activity in hippocampal slices from guinea pig, mouse, and rat were determined. A multisite fast optical recording technique using voltage-sensitive dyes and an array of 100 photodiodes was employed. The use of a low-magnification objective lens allowed the visualization of almost the entire transverse hippocampal slice. Three in vitro models of epilepsy were employed, utilizing different manipulations of the bath perfusion medium to induce epileptiform activity: 1) raising the external potassium (K+) concentration, 2) adding the potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), and 3) adding antagonists of gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptors (bicuculline and picrotoxin, BIC-PTX). 2. Spontaneous epileptiform discharges were detected in each subfield of cornu ammonis (CA) but not in the dentate gyrus (DG) of each studied species. Preliminary experiments confirmed that interictal-like epileptiform activity originated in the CA2-CA3 region. Ictal-like activity was never observed in our experiments. 3. In the guinea pig, when GABAA antagonists were employed, the site of origin of spontaneous epileptiform discharges was consistently located in the CA2-CA3a region. When high K+ or 4-AP was used, this region was the most frequent site of origin. Subsequent epileptiform discharges with similar sites of origin occasionally invaded different areas of the CA2-CA3 region, revealing a variable area of occupance of epileptiform discharges. 4. In the mouse and rat, the site of origin of spontaneous discharges was invariably located in the CA3b-CA3c region independent of the epilepsy model. 5. In both the guinea pig and rat, when the CA2-CA3a region was surgically separated from the CA3b-CA3c region, independent discharges were observed in both regions. Areas that could generate discharges only under certain epileptogenic conditions were found in these species (potential sites of origin). Two independent sites of origin with different propagation patterns and area of occupance were occasionally observed within the CA2-CA3a region. 6. In the guinea pig, such lesions demonstrated that both regions can independently generate epileptiform discharges at different frequencies. When high K+ or 4-AP was employed, epileptiform activity was observed in both regions. Although BIC-PTX only generated discharges in the CA2-CA3a region, a subsequent increase in K+ induced additional discharges in the CA3b-CA3c region, revealing a potential site of origin. 7. In rat hippocampal slices with such lesions, spontaneous epileptiform discharges were observed in both CA2-CA3a and CA3b-CA3c region when 4-AP was employed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


1990 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 1747-1757 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Avoli ◽  
C. Drapeau ◽  
P. Perreault ◽  
J. Louvel ◽  
R. Pumain

1. Extracellular and intracellular recordings and measurements of the extracellular concentration of free K+ ([K+]o) were performed in the CA1 subfield of the rat hippocampal slice during perfusion with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) in which NaCl had been replaced with equimolar Na-isethionate or Na-methylsulfate (hereafter called low Cl- ACSF). 2. CAl pyramidal cells perfused with low Cl- ACSF generated intracellular epileptiform potentials in response to orthodromic, single-shock stimuli delivered in stratum (S.) radiatum. Low-intensity stimuli evoked a short-lasting epileptiform burst (SB) of action potentials that lasted 40–150 ms and was followed by a prolonged hyperpolarization. When the stimulus strength was increased, a long-lasting epileptiform burst (LB) appeared; it had a duration of 4–15 s and consisted of an early discharge of action potentials similar to the SB, followed by a prolonged, large-amplitude depolarizing plateau. The refractory period of the LB was longer than 20 s. SB and LB were also seen after stimulation of the alveus. 3. Variations of the membrane potential with injection of steady. DC current modified the shape of SB and LB. When microelectrodes filled with the lidocaine derivative QX-314 were used, the amplitudes of both SB and LB increased in a linear fashion during changes of the baseline membrane potential in the hyperpolarizing direction. The membrane input resistance, as measured by injecting brief square pulses of hyperpolarizing current, decreased by 65-80% during the long-lasting depolarizing plateau of LB. 4. A synchronous field potential and a transient increase in [K+]o accompanied the epileptiform responses. The extracellular counterpart of the SB was a burst of three to six population spikes and a small increase in [K+]o (less than or equal to 2 mM from a resting value of approximately 2.5 mM). The LB was associated with a large-amplitude, biphasic, negative field potential and a large increase in [K+]o (up to 12.4 mM above the resting value). Changes in [K+]o during the LB were largest at the border between S. oriens and S. pyramidale. This was also the site where the field potentials measured 2–5 s after the stimulus attained their maximal amplitude. Conversely, field potentials associated with the early component of the LB or with the SB displayed a maximal amplitude in the S. radiatum. 5. Spontaneous SBs and LBs were at times recorded in the CA1 and in the CA3 subfield.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


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