Cholinergic Suppression (cholinergic + suppression)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Cholinergic suppression of excitatory synaptic responses in layer II of the medial entorhinal cortex

HIPPOCAMPUS, Issue 2 2007
Bassam N. Hamam
Abstract Theta-frequency (4,12 Hz) electroencephalographic activity is thought to play a role in mechanisms mediating sensory and mnemonic processing in the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus, but the effects of acetylcholine on excitatory synaptic inputs to the entorhinal cortex are not well understood. Field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) evoked by stimulation of the piriform (olfactory) cortex were recorded in the medial entorhinal cortex during behaviors associated with theta activity (active mobility) and were compared with those recorded during nontheta behaviors (awake immobility and slow wave sleep). Synaptic responses were smaller during behavioral activity than during awake immobility and sleep, and responses recorded during movement were largest during the negative phase of the theta rhythm. Systemic administration of cholinergic agonists reduced the amplitude of fEPSPs, and the muscarinic receptor blocker scopolamine strongly enhanced fEPSPs, suggesting that the theta-related suppression of fEPSPs is mediated in part by cholinergic inputs. The reduction in fEPSPs was investigated using in vitro intracellular recordings of EPSPs in Layer II neurons evoked by stimulation of Layer I afferents. Constant bath application of the muscarinic agonist carbachol depolarized membrane potential and suppressed EPSP amplitude in Layer II neurons. The suppression of EPSPs was not associated with a substantial change in input resistance, and could not be accounted for by a depolarization-induced reduction in driving force on the EPSP. The GABAA receptor-blocker bicuculline (50 ,M) did not prevent the cholinergic suppression of EPSPs, suggesting that the suppression is not dependent on inhibitory mechanisms. Paired-pulse facilitation of field and intracellular EPSPs were enhanced by carbachol, indicating that the suppression is likely due to inhibition of presynaptic glutamate release. These results indicate that, in addition to well known effects on postsynaptic conductances that increase cellular excitability, cholinergic activation in the entorhinal cortex results in a strong reduction in strength of excitatory synaptic inputs from the piriform cortex. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Modulation of rabbit sinoatrial node activation sequence by acetylcholine and isoproterenol investigated with optical mapping technique

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2009
D. V. Abramochkin
Abstract Aims:, Changes in the rabbit sinoatrial node (SAN) activation sequence with the cholinergic and adrenergic factors were studied. The correlation between the sinus rhythm rate and the leading pacemaker site shift was determined. The hypothesis concerning the cholinergic suppression of nodal cell excitability as one of the mechanisms associated with pacemaker shift was tested. Methods:, A high-resolution optical mapping technique was used to register beat-to-beat changes in the SAN activation pattern under the influence of the cholinergic and adrenergic factors. Results:, Acetylcholine (10 ,m) and strong intramural parasympathetic nerve stimulation caused a pacemaker shift as well as rhythmic slowing and the formation of an inexcitable region in the central part of SAN. In this region the generation of action potentials was suppressed. The slowing of the sinus rhythm (which exceeded 12.8 ± 3.1% of the rhythm control rate) always accompanied the pacemaker shift. Isoproterenol (10, 100 nm, 1 ,m) and sympathetic postganglionic nerve stimulation also evoked a pacemaker shift but without formation of an inexcitable zone. The acceleration of the sinus rhythm, which exceeded 10.5 ± 1.3% of the control rate of the rhythm, always accompanied the shift. Conclusions:, Both cholinergic and adrenergic factors cause pacemaker shifts in the rabbit SAN. While modest changes in the sinus rhythm do not coincide with the pacemaker shift, greater changes always accompany the shift and may be caused by it, according to one hypothesis. The formation of an inexcitable zone at the place where the leading pacemaker is situated is one of the mechanisms associated with pacemaker shift. [source]


Suppression of excitatory cholinergic synaptic transmission by Drosophila dopamine D1-like receptors

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 9 2007
Ning Yuan
Abstract The physiological function of dopamine is mediated through its G-protein-coupled receptor family. In Drosophila, four dopamine receptors have been molecularly characterized so far. However, due largely to the absence of a suitable preparation, the role of Drosophila dopamine receptors in modulating central synaptic transmission has not been examined. The present study investigated mechanisms by which dopamine modulates excitatory cholinergic synaptic transmission in Drosophila using primary neuronal cultures. Whole-cell recordings demonstrated that cholinergic excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were down-regulated by focally applied dopamine (10,500 µm). The vertebrate D1 specific agonists SKF38393 and 6-chloro-APB (10 µm) mimicked dopamine-mediated suppression of cholinergic synaptic transmission with higher potency. In contrast, the D2 agonists quinpirole and bromocriptine did not alter cholinergic EPSCs, demonstrating that dopamine-mediated suppression of cholinergic synaptic transmission is specifically through activation of Drosophila D1-like receptors. Biophysical analysis of miniature EPSCs indicated that cholinergic suppression by activation of D1-like receptors is presynaptic in origin. Dopamine modulation of cholinergic transmission is not mediated through the cAMP/protein kinase A signaling pathway as cholinergic suppression by dopamine occurred in the presence of the protein kinase A inhibitor H-89. In addition, an adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, led to an increase, not a decrease, of cholinergic EPSC frequency. Finally, we showed that activation of D1-like receptors decreased the frequency of action potentials in cultured Drosophila neurons by inhibiting excitatory cholinergic transmission. All our data demonstrated that activation of D1-like receptors in Drosophila neurons negatively modulates excitatory cholinergic synaptic transmission and thus inhibits neuronal excitability. [source]


Cholinergic suppression of excitatory synaptic responses in layer II of the medial entorhinal cortex

HIPPOCAMPUS, Issue 2 2007
Bassam N. Hamam
Abstract Theta-frequency (4,12 Hz) electroencephalographic activity is thought to play a role in mechanisms mediating sensory and mnemonic processing in the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus, but the effects of acetylcholine on excitatory synaptic inputs to the entorhinal cortex are not well understood. Field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) evoked by stimulation of the piriform (olfactory) cortex were recorded in the medial entorhinal cortex during behaviors associated with theta activity (active mobility) and were compared with those recorded during nontheta behaviors (awake immobility and slow wave sleep). Synaptic responses were smaller during behavioral activity than during awake immobility and sleep, and responses recorded during movement were largest during the negative phase of the theta rhythm. Systemic administration of cholinergic agonists reduced the amplitude of fEPSPs, and the muscarinic receptor blocker scopolamine strongly enhanced fEPSPs, suggesting that the theta-related suppression of fEPSPs is mediated in part by cholinergic inputs. The reduction in fEPSPs was investigated using in vitro intracellular recordings of EPSPs in Layer II neurons evoked by stimulation of Layer I afferents. Constant bath application of the muscarinic agonist carbachol depolarized membrane potential and suppressed EPSP amplitude in Layer II neurons. The suppression of EPSPs was not associated with a substantial change in input resistance, and could not be accounted for by a depolarization-induced reduction in driving force on the EPSP. The GABAA receptor-blocker bicuculline (50 ,M) did not prevent the cholinergic suppression of EPSPs, suggesting that the suppression is not dependent on inhibitory mechanisms. Paired-pulse facilitation of field and intracellular EPSPs were enhanced by carbachol, indicating that the suppression is likely due to inhibition of presynaptic glutamate release. These results indicate that, in addition to well known effects on postsynaptic conductances that increase cellular excitability, cholinergic activation in the entorhinal cortex results in a strong reduction in strength of excitatory synaptic inputs from the piriform cortex. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]