Abstract
We investigated whether N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA)-induced slow current in substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons might be of presynaptic or postsynaptic origin. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings were made from adult rat spinal cord slices to examine the effect of NMDA receptor upon miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in SG neurons. At a holding potential of −70 mV, bath application of NMDA (10 μM, 30 s), an NMDA receptor agonist, affected neither the frequency nor the mean amplitude of mEPSCs, while NMDA induced a slow excitatory membrane current which persisted in the presence of tetrodotoxin. On the other hand, AP-5 (an NMDA receptor antagonist) had no noticeable effects on mEPSCs in the SG neurons tested, while it markedly depressed the NMDA-induced slow currents. The NMDA-induced slow currents varied with the changing of holding potentials (from −70 to 0 mV). The results suggested that the NMDA-induced slow currents in SG neurons were of postsynaptic origin.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.