Effects of Propofol on the Dynamic Properties of Sensory Information Processing in the Mouse Cerebellar Cortical Molecular Layer in vivo

Abstract

Propofol is a global central nervous system depressant that affects information processing in the central nervous system. However, the effects of propofol on sensory information processing in the cerebellar cortical molecular layer are unknown. In this study, we examined the effects of propofol on the dynamics of sensory stimulation-evoked responses in the cerebellar molecular layer in urethane-anesthetized mice, using electrophysiological and pharmacological methods. Our results showed that cerebellar surface perfusion of propofol (10-1,000 μmol/l) significantly decreased amplitude and area under the curve (AUC) of the sensory stimulation-evoked inhibitory component (P1) but increased the rise time and decay time of P1. In contrast, administration of propofol significantly enhanced the sensory stimulation-evoked excitatory component (N1), which exhibited increases in amplitude and AUC, as well as increases in rise time and decay time. By blocking the GABA_A receptor activity, propofol failed to increase the amplitude and the AUC of the excitatory postsynaptic component (N2) of PCs. Our present results suggest that propofol modulates the dynamic properties of the sensory information processing in the cerebellar molecular layer through the modulation of GABA_A receptors activity in the adult mouse.