ISSN:
1432-1106
Keywords:
Excitant amino acids
;
Glycine
;
GABA
;
Strychnine
;
Picrotoxin
;
Brain stem neurones
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary A study has been made of the actions of microelectrophoretically administered amino acids and convulsants on spontaneous and glutamate- (or DLH-) induced firing of bulbar reticular neurones in unanaesthetized, decerebrate, cats. DLH was a more potent excitant than glutamate and aspartate on almost all the neurones tested. Although glutamate was usually more effective than aspartate, their relative potencies were often similar. Glycine, β-alanine and GABA depressed the majority of neurones tested (93%, 89% and 75%, respectively), and had no action on the remainder. Glycine was invariably more potent than β-alanine, which was usually more potent than GABA. Strychnine reversibly blocked the depressant actions of glycine and β-alanine but not that of GABA. Electrophoretically administered picrotoxin slightly reduced the depression caused by glycine and GABA on less than half the neurones tested. Intravenously injected picrotoxin (0.3–5 mg/kg) did not block the effects of these amino acids. A comparison of the results with those obtained in the spinal cord provides some evidence that glycine may be an inhibitory transmitter substance released on bulbar reticular neurones.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00234317
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