Neurophysiological effects of corticotropin-releasing factor in the undergoing sections of the olfactory area of the rat cerebral cortex

Abstract

Application of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CPF) in concen­trations of 10-9-10-8 M on the rat olfactory cortex slices induced activation of the pre- and postsynaptic excitatory components of the focal potentials recorded in the slices. The amplitude and du­ration of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionic and N-methyl-D-aspartate components of postsynaptic evoking potentials increased upon exposure to CRF, while the amplitude of GABAB-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potentials was sup­pressed. At higher concentrations of CRF (10-8 M) epileptiform charges were recorded in the cells. CRF effects were reversible and eliminated after washing. A long (90 min) exposure induced the phenomena similar to long-term posttetanic potentiation. The findings suggest that CRF has pronounced activating properties and ajfects the glutamatergic and GABAergic systems.