安氟醚对海马CA1区锥体神经元的自发性微小抑制性突触后电流的调控

为探讨吸入性麻醉剂安氟醚对海马CA1区锥体神经元的γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)能自发性微小抑制性突触后电流(mIP-SCs)的调控作用,本研究采用酶消化和机械分离的单细胞模型,应用制霉菌素穿孔膜片钳技术,记录安氟醚对海马CA1区锥体神经元的GABA能突触后电流的影响。结果显示:(1)安氟醚可使GABA的浓度-效应曲线平行左移,但不影响GABA引起的最大反应;(2)安氟醚能够可逆性地增大GABA能自发性mIPSCs的发放频率而不影响其幅度;(3)在无钙细胞外液条件下,仍能观察到安氟醚对GABA能自发性mIPSCs发放频率的增强作用;膜通透性胞内钙库Ca2+的螯合剂BAPTA-AM可抑制安氟醚的增强作用。以上结果提示在海马CA1区安氟醚可能通过释放胞内钙库内的Ca2+使神经终末内Ca2+浓度升高而增加GABA的释放,从而达到中枢抑制作用。     

硫酸软骨素蛋白多糖对视皮层γ-氨基丁酸能神经元表达及其抑制性突触传递功能的影响

目的:通过体外观察硫酸软骨素蛋白多糖(CSPGs)对γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)能神经元表达及其抑制性突触传递功能的影响,为探索CSPGs抑制视皮层可塑性的机制提供实验依据。方法:运用硫酸软骨素酶(ChABC)处理体外培养的胎鼠视皮层神经元,降解其CSPGs后应用免疫荧光显色检测CSPGs降解情况及GABA能神经元的表达变化,并用膜片钳检测其自发性微小性抑制性突触后电流(mIPSCs)以观察其抑制性突触传递功能变化情况。结果:0.1 U/ml ChABC处理神经元后,CSPGs被成功降解,GABA能神经元细胞密度、mIPSCs幅度和频率均显著低于正常对照组。结论:CSPGs能促进GABA能神经元表达及其抑制性突触传递功能的成熟,这可能是CSPGs抑制视皮层可塑性的作用机制之一。     

氯胺酮在大鼠脊髓背角胶状质内对突触前神经递质释放的影响

为探讨临床有效浓度的氯胺酮(ketamine,KTM)在脊髓背角胶状质(substansia gelatinosa,SG)内对突触前神经递质释放的影响及其作用机制,本研究应用红外可视神经组织薄片全细胞膜片钳记录方法,在电压钳模式下,观察了KTM对自发性抑制性和兴奋性突触后电流(spontaneous inhibitory and excitatory postsynaptic currents,sIPSCs and sEPSCs)的频率和幅值的影响。结果显示:(1)钳制电压在0mV时,在人工脑脊液(artificial cerebrospinal fluid,ACSF)中加入10-5mol/LAP-V和10-6mol/LCNQX,可记录到sIPSCs。将此时记录到的频率和幅值都作为前对照组的基础值(100%)。给予10-4mol/LKTM后,与前对照组相比,sIPSCs频率为127.93%±25.17%(P<0.05),幅值为104.78%±11.35%(P>0.05,n=7);(2)钳制电压为-70mV时,在ACSF中加入3×10-7mol/L士的宁和10-6mol/L荷包牡丹碱后,可观察到sEPSCs。加入10-4mol/LKTM后,与前对照组相比,sEPSCs的频率和幅值分别为97.89%±4.06%和101.63%±7.66%(P>0.05,n=8)。以上结果提示:(1)KTM增加了sIPSCs的频率,而对幅值没有明显影响,即KTM引起突触前抑制性神经递质的释放增加,而对突触后神经元的作用不明显;(2)KTM对sEPSCs的频率和幅值均未见明显影响,说明KTM在SG内对兴奋性神经递质的释放无显著影响。由此我们推测KTM在脊髓SG内主要通过增强抑制性信息传递发挥作用,KTM增强SG内突触前抑制性神经递质释放可能与其在脊髓背角发挥麻醉和镇痛作用有关。     

内吗啡肽-1对成年大鼠脊髓胶状质内突触传递的抑制作用强于内吗啡肽-2(英文)

本实验采用全细胞电压钳记录方法,研究了内吗啡肽1(EM1)和内吗啡肽2(EM2)对脊髓背角胶状质神经元突触传递的抑制性作用。EM1(1μmol/L)和EM2(1μmol/L)都能够显著抑制微小兴奋性突触后电流(mEPSCs)和微小抑制性突触后电流(mIPSCs)的频率而不改变其幅值。这种抑制作用能被μ受体选择性拮抗剂βfunaltrexamine(βFNA,10μmol/L)阻断。值得注意的是,EM1对mEPSCs和mIPSCs的频率的抑制作用强于EM2。上述结果提示在脊髓胶状质,内吗啡肽通过激活突触前膜上的μ受体,抑制兴奋性和抑制性的突触传递;与EM2相比,EM1可能是脊髓水平的更强效的内源性镇痛剂。     

神经降压素对大鼠脊髓背角胶状质内突触前神经递质释放的影响

目的:研究内源性神经肽神经降压素(neurotensin,NT)在脊髓背角胶状质(substantia gelatinosa,SG)内对突触前神经递质释放的影响。方法:采用全细胞电压膜片钳记录方法,在脊髓薄片上观察NT对SG内微小兴奋性突触后电流(mEPSCs)和微小抑制性突触后电流(mIPSCs)的频率和幅值的影响。结果:(1)灌流NT(2μmol/L)对SG内神经元mEPSCs的频率和幅值均无明显影响,说明NT不影响SG内兴奋性神经递质的释放;(2)灌流NT(2μmol/L)能增加SG内神经元mIPSCs的频率,但对幅值无明显影响,即NT可引起突触前抑制性神经递质的释放增加,但对突触后神经元无明显影响。结论:NT可通过增加SG内抑制性神经递质释放的途径抑制伤害性信息的传递,从而实现镇痛效应。     

过氧化氢对大鼠海马CA1区神经元钠电流的影响

目的与方法 :采用全细胞膜片钳技术研究过氧化氢 (H2 O2 )对急性分离的大鼠海马CA1区神经元钠电流的影响。结果 :①过氧化氢可剂量依赖地增大钠电流 ,剂量为 10 μmol/L和 10 0 μmol/L时 ,钠电流分别增大 4 8 0 %± 4 2 %和 88 2 %± 5 1% (n =10 )。② 10 μmol/L的H2 O2 不影响钠电流的激活过程 ,却非常显著地影响其失活过程 ,作用前后的半数失活电压分别为(- 6 4 5 8± 1 2 2 )mV和 (- 5 3 5 5± 0 94 )mV(n =10 ,P <0 0 1) ,但不改变失活曲线的斜率因子。结论 :H2 O2 作为体内氧化代谢产物可能与一些神经系统疾病的发生有关…     

焦亚硫酸钠对大鼠海马CA1区神经元钠电流的影响

目的：探讨SO2 及其体内衍生物（亚硫酸盐和亚硫酸氢盐）对中枢神经元钠通道的影响。 方法: 采用全细胞膜片钳技术研究了焦亚硫酸钠（SMB）对大鼠海马CA1区神经元钠电流的影响及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)相应的保护作用。 结果： ① 焦亚硫酸钠可剂量依赖性地增大全细胞钠电流，剂量为2 μmol/L和20 μmol/L时，钠电流分别增大（22.36±3.28）% 和（65.05±5.75）%（n=10）。② 10　μmol/L的焦亚硫酸钠不影响钠电流的激活过程，却非常显著地影响其失活过程，使失活曲线显著右移，作用前后的半数失活电压分别为（-82.38±0.54）mV和（-69.39±0.41）mV (n=10, P<0.01), 但失活曲线的斜率因子未见改变。③ SOD(1×106 U/L)、CAT(2×106 U/L) 及GPx (1×104 U/L) 均可使SMB（10 μmol/L）增大的钠电流部分恢复。 结论： SMB增大钠电流并抑制其失活过程，从而影响神经细胞的兴奋性，这一效应可能与硫中心或氧中心自由基的损伤作用有关。     

COX-2抑制剂对幼鼠痫性发作海马神经元突触活动的影响

目的：观察环氧合酶-2（cyclooxygenase-2,COX-2）抑制剂硝基苯-甲磺酸（NS-398）对幼鼠痫样放电的作用及其对海马CA1锥体神经元突触电活动的影响,研究NS-398在幼鼠痫性发作中的作用。方法：用生后第14天龄SD大鼠制作海马组织脑切片,记录其CA1区锥体神经元场电位,以群峰电位（PS）个数和波幅作为指标来评价脑片放电的变化。给脑片用不同浓度青霉素,建立离体海马脑片痂样放电模型,在脑片灌流液中用不同浓度NS-398,观察对PS个数和波幅的影响。全细胞记录模式下,观察NS-398对海马CA1锥体神经元递质释放和突触活动的影响。分别记录自发性兴奋性突触后电流（sEPSC）和自发性抑制性突触后电流（sIPSC）,观察NS-398对其波幅和频率的影响。结果：NS-398浓度为10μmol／L时,对青霉素诱发的痼样放电没有多大的抑制效应;当浓度为20gmol／L时,有明显的抑制作用;为30μmol／L时抑制作用很强,明显降低PS的波幅和减少其频率。NS-398能明显抑制致痴大鼠海马锥体神经元sEPSC的频率,但是对其波幅及衰减时间没有明显的影响;同时NS-398能明显增强致痫大鼠海马脑片锥体神经元sIPSC的频率,明显延长sIPSC的衰减时间,对波幅影响不大。结论：COX-2抑制剂NS-398能减少sEPSC的放电和增强sIPSC的抑制功能,导致兴奋性神经递质的释放减少,降低神经元的兴奋性,从而抑制神经元异常放电。     

咖啡因对急性分离大鼠DRG神经元GABA-激活电流的调制作用(英文)

应用全细胞膜片钳记录大鼠新鲜分离背根神经节(DRG)神经元GABA-激活电流,观察咖啡因对GABA-激活电流(IGABA)的调制作用。结果显示:大部分受检细胞(97.4%,113/116)对外加GABA敏感。1-1000μmol/LGABA引起一剂量依赖性、有明显去敏感作用的内向电流。预加咖啡因(0.01-100μmol/L)30s后再加GABA能明显抑制GABA(100μmol/L)激活电流的幅值。预加咖啡因后GABA量效曲线明显下移;GABA-激活电流的最大值较之对照下降约57%;而Kd值(30μmol/L)几乎不变。该结果提示此种抑制为非竞争性的。预加氨茶碱(theophylline)亦可明显抑制GABA激活电流,同一浓度(10μmol/L)下氨茶碱的抑制作用较咖啡因的抑制作用强。预加安定(diazepam,1μmol/L)对GABA(10μmol/L)激活电流有增强作用,而预加咖啡因(10μmol/L)有拮抗安定增强IGABA的作用。胞内透析H-8后,几乎可以完全消除咖啡因对IGABA的抑制作用。本结果表明咖啡因在初级传入末稍可能产生对抗突触前抑制的效应。     

HIV-1包膜糖蛋白gp120对大鼠海马脑片电生理特性的影响

目的探讨人类免疫缺陷病毒I型(HIV-1)的包膜糖蛋白gp120对大鼠海马脑片CA1区神经元电生理特性及突触传递的影响。方法用盲法全细胞记录技术,观察gp120对大鼠海马脑片CA1区神经元电生理特性及对高频电刺激Schaffer侧支引起的鼠海马长时程增强效应(LTP)的影响。结果①在电流钳,gp120可使终末去极化电流激发快速动作电位的数目增加;②在电压钳,gp120对大鼠海马CA1区神经元的全细胞电流无明显作用;③将gp120(100 pmol/L)与海马脑片共孵育1h后,在钳制电压为-60 mV时,发现HFS后海马CA1区的兴奋性突触后电流(EPSC)显著减小,LTP的强度减少到(108.5±8.0)%(n=11,P<0.01)。结论gp120可使海马神经元的兴奋性增加,并可能通过抑制海马CA1区的LTP诱发参与艾滋病痴呆(HIV-1 associated dementia,HAD)的病理生理过程。     

Adenosine A1 receptor-mediated presynaptic inhibition of GABAergic transmission in immature rat hippocampal CA1 neurons

In the mechanically dissociated rat hippocampal CA1 neurons with native presynaptic nerve endings, namely "synaptic bouton" preparation, the purinergic modulation of spontaneous GABAergic miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) was investigated using whole-cell recording mode under the voltage-clamp conditions. In immature neurons, adenosine (10 microM) reversibly decreased GABAergic mIPSC frequency without affecting the mean current amplitude. The inhibitory effect of adenosine transmission was completely blocked by 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX, 100 nM), a selective Alpha(1) receptor antagonist, and was mimicked by N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA, 1 microM), a selective Alpha(1) receptor agonist. However, CPA had no effect on GABAergic mIPSC frequency in postnatal 30 day neurons. N-ethylmaleimide (10 microM), a guanosine 5'-triphosphate binding protein uncoupler, and Ca(2+)-free external solution removed the CPA-induced inhibition of mIPSC frequency. K(+) channel blockers, 4-aminopyridine (100 microM) and Ba(2+) (1 mM), had no effect on the inhibitory effect of CPA on GABAergic mIPSC frequency. Stimulation of adenylyl cyclase with forskolin (10 microM) prevented the CPA action on GABAergic mIPSC frequency. Rp-cAMPS (100 microM), a selective PKA inhibitor, also blocked the CPA action. It was concluded that the activation of presynaptic Alpha(1) receptors modulates the probability of spontaneous GABA release via cAMP- and protein kinase A dependent pathway. This Alpha(1) receptor-mediated modulation of GABAergic transmission may play an important role in the regulation of excitability of immature hippocampal CA1 neurons.     

Distinct mechanisms of presynaptic inhibition at GABAergic synapses of the rat substantia nigra pars compacta

We investigated the mechanisms of presynaptic inhibition of GABAergic neurotransmission by group III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) and GABA(B) receptors, in dopamine (DA) neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Both the group III mGluRs agonist L-(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (AP4, 100 microM) and the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen (10 microM) reversibly depressed the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) to 48.5 +/- 2.7 and 79.3 +/- 1.6% (means +/- SE) of control, respectively. On the contrary, the frequency of action potential-independent miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs), recorded in tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 microM) and cadmium (100 microM) were insensitive to AP4 but were reduced by baclofen to 49.7 +/- 8.6% of control. When the contribution of voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) to synaptic transmission was boosted with external barium (1 mM), AP4 became effective in reducing TTX-resistant mIPSCs to 65.4 +/- 3.9% of control, thus confirming a mechanism of presynaptic inhibition involving modulation of VDCCs. Differently from AP4, baclofen inhibited to 58.5 +/- 6.7% of control the frequency mIPSCs recorded in TTX and the calcium ionophore ionomycin (2 microM), which promotes Ca2+-dependent, but VDCC-independent, transmitter release. Moreover, in the presence of alpha-latrotoxin (0.3 nM), to promote a Ca2+-independent vesicular release of GABA, baclofen reduced mIPSC frequency to 48.1 +/- 3.2% of control, while AP4 was ineffective. These results indicate that group III mGluRs depress GABA release to DA neurons of the SNc through inhibition of presynaptic VDCCs, while presynaptic GABA(B) receptors directly impair transmitter exocytosis.     

Regulation of synaptic input to hypothalamic presympathetic neurons by GABA(B) receptors

The hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) neurons projecting to the spinal cord and brainstem play an important role in the control of homeostasis and the sympathetic nervous system. Although GABA(B) receptors are present in the PVN, their function in the control of synaptic inputs to PVN presympathetic neurons is not clear. Using retrograde tracing and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in rat brain slices, we determined the role of presynaptic GABA(B) receptors in regulation of glutamatergic and GABAergic inputs to spinally projecting PVN neurons. The GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen (1-50 microM) dose-dependently decreased the frequency but not the amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs). The effect of baclofen on sEPSCs and sIPSCs was completely blocked by 10 microM CGP52432, a selective GABA(B) receptor antagonist. Baclofen also significantly reduced the frequency of both miniature excitatory and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs and mIPSCs). Furthermore, uncoupling pertussis toxin-sensitive G(i/o) proteins with N-ethylmaleimide abolished baclofen-induced inhibition of mEPSCs and mIPSCs. However, the inhibitory effect of baclofen on the frequency of mIPSCs and mEPSCs persisted in the presence of either Cd2+, a voltage-gated Ca2+ channel blocker, or 4-aminopyridine, a blocker of voltage-gated K+ channels. Our results suggest that activation of presynaptic GABA(B) receptors inhibits synaptic GABA and glutamate release to PVN presympathetic neurons. This presynaptic action of GABA(B) receptors is mediated by the N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive G(i/o) proteins, but independent of voltage-gated Ca2+ and K+ channels.     

Presynaptic GABAA receptors facilitate spontaneous glutamate release from presynaptic terminals on mechanically dissociated rat CA3 pyramidal neurons

Mossy fiber-derived giant spontaneous miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents have been suggested to be large enough to generate action potentials in postsynaptic CA3 pyramidal neurons. Here we report on the functional roles of presynaptic GABA(A) receptors on excitatory terminals in contributing to spontaneous glutamatergic transmission to CA3 neurons. In mechanically dissociated rat hippocampal CA3 neurons with adherent presynaptic nerve terminals, spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents were recorded using conventional whole-cell patch clamp recordings. In most recordings, unusually large spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents up to 500 pA were observed. These large spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents were highly sensitive to group II metabotropic glutamate receptor activation, and were still observed even after the blockade of voltage-dependent Na(+) or Ca(2+) channels. Exogenously applied muscimol (0.1-3 microM) significantly increased the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents including the large ones. This facilitatory effect of muscimol was completely inhibited in the presence of 10 microM 6-imino-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1(6H)-pyridazinebutanoic acid HBr, a specific GABA(A) receptor antagonist. Pharmacological data suggest that activation of presynaptic GABA(A) receptors directly depolarizes glutamatergic terminals resulting in the facilitation of spontaneous glutamate release. In the current-clamp condition, a subset of large spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic potentials triggered action potentials, and muscimol greatly increased the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic potential-triggered action potentials in postsynaptic CA3 pyramidal neurons. The results suggest that presynaptic GABA(A) receptors on glutamatergic terminals play an important role in the excitability of CA3 neurons as well as in the presynaptic modulation of glutamatergic transmission onto hippocampal CA3 neurons.     

Opioid inhibition of GABAergic neurotransmission in mechanically isolated rat periaqueductal gray neurons

The descending pain control system is activated by opioid peptides mainly at the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG). Although activation of presynaptic opioid receptors has been reported to inhibit gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release, the exact electrophysiological mechanisms are controversial. To elucidate the mechanisms involved in the opioid modulation of presynaptic GABA release, we isolated single PAG neurons with functionally intact synaptic terminals by a mechanical dissociation in the absence of enzyme. With the conventional whole-cell recording mode under the voltage-clamp conditions, the spontaneous miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) were recorded. Bicuculline completely and reversibly blocked mIPSCs. A specific mu-opioid agonist, [d-Ala(2),N-Me-Phe(4),Gly(5)-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO), reversibly reduced the frequency of mIPSCs without any alteration of amplitude. The inhibitory effect of DAMGO was blocked by N-ethylmaleimide. Blockade of presynaptic Ca(2+) influx by cadmium or depletion of extracellular Ca(2+) did not alter the DAMGO inhibition. In addition, K(+) channels blockers, Ba(2+) or 4-aminopyridine, did not affect the DAMGO effect. The present study indicates that activation of presynaptic mu-opioid receptors coupled to G-proteins inhibits GABA release through unknown intracellular mechanisms downstream of Ca(2+) influx.     

Kainate acts at presynaptic receptors to increase GABA release from hypothalamic neurons.

Recent reports suggest that kainate acting at presynaptic receptors reduces the release of the inhibitory transmitter GABA from hippocampal neurons. In contrast, in the hypothalamus in the presence of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists [1-(4-methyl-7,8-methylenedioxy-5H-2,3-benzodiazepine (GYKI 52466) and D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5)], kainate increased GABA release. In the presence of tetrodotoxin, the frequency, but not the amplitude, of GABA-mediated miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) was enhanced by kainate, consistent with a presynaptic site of action. Postsynaptic activation of kainate receptors on cell bodies/dendrites was also found. In contrast to the hippocampus where kainate increases excitability by reducing GABA release, in the hypothalamus where a much higher number of GABAergic cells exist, kainate-mediated activation of transmitter release from inhibitory neurons may reduce the level of neuronal activity in the postsynaptic cell.     

Signaling mechanisms of angiotensin II-induced attenuation of GABAergic input to hypothalamic presympathetic neurons

The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is an important site for the regulation of sympathetic outflow. Angiotensin II (Ang II) can activate AT(1) receptors to stimulate PVN presympathetic neurons through inhibition of GABAergic input. However, little is known about the downstream pathway involved in this presynaptic action of Ang II in the PVN. In this study, using whole cell recording from retrogradely labeled PVN neurons in rat brain slices, we determined the signaling mechanisms responsible for the effect of Ang II on synaptic GABA release to spinally projecting PVN neurons. Bath application of Ang II reproducibly decreased the frequency of GABAergic miniature postsynaptic inhibitory currents (mIPSCs) in fluorescence-labeled PVN neurons. Ang II failed to change the frequency of mIPSCs in labeled PVN neurons treated with pertussis toxin. However, Ang II-induced inhibition of mIPSCs persisted in the presence of either CdCl(2), a voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel blocker, or 4-aminopyridine, a blocker of voltage-gated K(+) channels. Interestingly, inhibition of superoxide with superoxide dismutase or Mn(III) tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) prophyrin completely blocked Ang II-induced decrease in mIPSCs. By contrast, inhibition of hydroxyl radical formation with the ion chelator deferoxamine did not significantly alter the effect of Ang II. These findings suggest that the presynaptic action of Ang II on synaptic GABA release in the PVN is mediated by the pertussis toxin-sensitive G(i/o) proteins but not by voltage-gated Ca(2+) and K(+) channels. Ang II attenuates GABAergic input to PVN presympathetic neurons through reactive oxygen species, especially superoxide anions.     

alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on GABAergic interneurons evoke dendritic and somatic inhibition of hippocampal neurons.

GABAergic interneurons in the hippocampus express high levels of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, but because of the diverse roles played by hippocampal interneurons, the impact of activation of these receptors on hippocampal output neurons (i.e., CA1 pyramidal cells) is unclear. Activation of hippocampal interneurons could directly inhibit pyramidal neuron activity but could also produce inhibition of other GABAergic cells leading to disinhibition of pyramidal cells. To characterize the inhibitory circuits activated by these receptors, exogenous acetylcholine was applied directly to CA1 interneurons in hippocampal slices, and the resulting postsynaptic responses were recorded from pyramidal neurons or interneurons. Inhibitory currents mediated by GABA(A) receptors were observed in 27/131 interneuron/pyramidal cell pairs, but no instances of disinhibition of spontaneous inhibitory events or GABA(B) receptor-mediated responses were observed. Two populations of bicuculline-sensitive GABA(A) receptor-mediated currents could be distinguished based on their kinetics and amplitude. Anatomical reconstructions of the interneurons in a subset of connected pairs support the hypothesis that these two populations correspond to inhibitory synapses located either on the somata or dendrites of pyramidal cells. In 11 interneuron/interneuron cell pairs, one presynaptic neuron was observed that produced strong inhibitory currents in several nearby interneurons, suggesting that disinhibition of pyramidal neurons may also occur. All three types of inhibitory responses (somatic-pyramidal, dendritic-pyramidal, and interneuronal) were blocked by the alpha7 receptor-selective antagonist methyllycaconitine. These data suggest activation of these functionally distinct circuits by alpha7 receptors results in significant inhibition of both hippocampal pyramidal neurons as well as interneurons.     

Protracted postnatal development of inhibitory synaptic transmission in rat hippocampal area CA1 neurons

In the CNS, inhibitory synaptic function undergoes profound transformation during early postnatal development. This is due to variations in the subunit composition of subsynaptic GABA(A) receptors (GABA(A)Rs) at differing developmental stages as well as other factors. These include changes in the driving force for chloride-mediated conductances as well as the quantity and/or cleft lifetime of released neurotransmitter. The present study was undertaken to investigate the nature and time course of developmental maturation of GABAergic synaptic function in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. In neonatal [postnatal day (P) 1-7] and immature (P8-14) CA1 neurons, miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) were significantly larger, were less frequent, and had slower kinetics compared with mIPSCs recorded in more mature neurons. Adult mIPSC kinetics were achieved by the third postnatal week in CA1 neurons. However, despite this apparent maturation of mIPSC kinetics, significant differences in modulation of mIPSCs by allosteric agonists in adolescent (P15-21) neurons were still evident. Diazepam (1-300 nM) and zolpidem (200 nM) increased the amplitude of mIPSCs in adolescent but not adult neurons. Both drugs increased mIPSC decay times equally at both ages. These differential agonist effects on mIPSC amplitude suggest that in adolescent CA1 neurons, inhibitory synapses operate differently than adult synapses and function as if subsynaptic receptors are not fully occupied by quantal release of GABA. Rapid agonist application experiments on perisomatic patches pulled from adolescent neurons provided additional support for this hypothesis. In GABA(A)R currents recorded in these patches, benzodiazepine amplitude augmentation effects were evident only when nonsaturating GABA concentrations were applied. Furthermore nonstationary noise analysis of mIPSCs in P15-21 neurons revealed that zolpidem-induced mIPSC augmentation was not due to an increase in single-channel conductance of subsynaptic GABA(A)Rs but rather to an increase in the number of open channels responding to a single GABA quantum, further supporting the hypothesis that synaptic receptors may not be saturated during synaptic function in adolescent neurons. These data demonstrate that inhibitory synaptic transmission undergoes a markedly protracted postnatal maturation in rat CA1 pyramidal neurons. In the first two postnatal weeks, mIPSCs are large in amplitude, are slow, and occur infrequently. By the third postnatal week, mIPSCs have matured kinetically but retain distinct responses to modulatory drugs, possibly reflecting continued immaturity in synaptic structure and function persisting through adolescence.