The release of endogenous acetylcholine from the medial septum/diagonal band of rat brain |
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Authors: | R H Metcalf R J Boegman R J Riopelle S K Ludwin |
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Institution: | Department of Pharmacology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ont., Canada. |
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Abstract: | This study sought to establish whether cholinergic neurons in the medial septum/vertical limb of the diagonal band (ms/vdB) release endogenous acetylcholine (ACh) locally, and whether the release was modulated by presynaptic feedback mechanisms. Release of ACh from slices of the ms/vdB was assessed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Potassium depolarization resulted in a 20- to 25-fold increase in ACh release above spontaneous levels. Omission of Ca2+ from the incubation medium decreased this release by 91%. In the presence of 4 microM atropine, potassium-induced ACh release was enhanced by 48%. These results indicate that ACh is released in the ms/vdB by a Ca2+-dependent and atropine-sensitive process. |
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