Article date: 1989/1/1
PubMed ID: 2797441
Journal name: Neuroscience (ISSN: 0306-4522)
ABSTRACT
The effects of gamma-hydroxybutyrate have been studied on the membrane properties of pars compacta neurons within the guinea-pig substantia nigra maintained in vitro. The effects of gamma-hydroxybutyrate are to (i) lower input resistance, (ii) hyperpolarize the cell membrane in a dose-dependent manner and (iii) facilitate calcium conductances. These effects are resistant to the blockade of sodium channels with tetrodotoxin and blockade of potassium channels with tetraethylammonium or 4-aminopyridine. Furthermore, these effects are only partially blocked by high doses of the GABA receptor antagonist bicuculline: indeed the effects of the GABA receptor agonist muscimol can be differentiated from those of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in that the latter is sensitive to application of barium ions. The results suggest that gamma-hydroxybutyrate acts to increase utilization of calcium, which in turn leads to an initiation of calcium-dependent events. The functional consequences of these effects of gamma-hydroxybutyrate are discussed with regard to its possible endogenous modulatory actions.
Author List: Harris N C, Webb C, Greenfield S A
Publication Types: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Substances mentioned in the article: Hydroxybutyrates; Tetrodotoxin; Sodium Oxybate; Bicuculline;
Mesh terms: Animals; Bicuculline/pharmacology; Female; Guinea Pigs; Hydroxybutyrates/pharmacology; In Vitro Techniques; Membrane Potentials/drug effects; Sodium Oxybate/pharmacology; Substantia Nigra/drug effects; Tetrodotoxin/pharmacology;