Work

Enkephalin hyperpolarizes interneurones in the rat hippocampus.

Year: 1988

Type: article

Abstract: 1. Intracellular recordings were made from pyramidal cells and from electrophysiologically identified interneurones in the CA1 region of the hippocampal slice preparation from the rat. 2. Enkephalin blocked the hyperpolarization of pyramidal cells evoked by application of glutamate to synaptically coupled inhibitory interneurones. 3. Enkephalin hyperpolarized interneurones, most probably by increasing potassium conductance; this action was blocked by the opiate antagonist, naloxone. 4. Activation of gamma-aminobutyric acid(B) receptors with baclofen in interneurones produced a similar hyperpolarization that was resistant to naloxone. 5. In addition to hyperpolarizing interneurones, enkephalin blocked the inhibitory postsynaptic potential recorded in these cells. 6. These results suggest that opiate receptors are selectively localized on inhibitory interneurones in the hippocampus and are coupled to potassium channels. Activation of these receptors causes a disinhibition of both pyramidal cells and inhibitory interneurones.

Source: The Journal of Physiology

DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.1988.sp017033

Authors: D V Madison, R A Nicoll

Institution: University of California, San Francisco

Language: English

Topic: Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke