Facilitation of gamma-aminobutyric acid-induced depression by (+)PCMP and dexoxadrol in the cerebellar Purkinje neurons of the rat.

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the interaction of GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) with PCP (phencyclidine) and sigma receptor agonists in the cerebellum. Drugs were applied directly to a single cerebellar Purkinje neuron of urethane-anesthetized rats, through a multibarrel pipette. The PCP receptor agonist, (+)PCMP [1-(-1-phenylcyclohexyl)-3-methyl piperidine], significantly enhanced GABA-induced inhibition. On the other hand, its stereoisomer, (-)PCMP, had no such modulatory effect. Dexoxadrol, a sigma receptor agonist, similar to (+)PCMP, potentiated GABA-induced depression. Its stereoisomer, levoxadrol, although inhibiting the spontaneous firings of Purkinje neurons, did not alter the effect of GABA. In conclusion, the findings indicate that the electrophysiological mechanisms of PCP-induced facilitation of GABA-induced reactions are similar to those triggered by sigma agonists in the cerebellum.