ISSN:
1432-1106
Keywords:
Fast excitatory postsynaptic potential
;
Vagal motoneurons
;
Cholinergic interneurons
;
Oesophagus
;
Rat
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract In rat brainstem slice preparations, intracellular recording from neurons (n = 39) in the compact formation of the nucleus ambiguus (AMBc) revealed spontaneous and miniature excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs; n = 11) that, along with acetylcholine-induced depolarization, were enhanced by physostigmine (10 μM; n = 2) and blocked by dihydro-β-erythroidine 1–5 pmol (n = 4). Retrograde neuronal tracing combined with choline acetyltransferase immunocytochemistry demonstrated that the AMBc receives a projection from a subpopulation of cholinergic neurons in the zona intermedialis reticularis parvicellularis. Electrical stimulation of this region in slices evoked fast EPSPs in AMBc neurons (n = 23) that were inhibited by dihydro-β-erythroidine 2–5 pmol (n = 8), but not by methscopolamine 1 pmol (n = 2). The present findings strongly support the existence of a cholinergic nicotinic synapse mediating fast transmission in brainstem vagal motoneurons.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00230441
Permalink
