Pharmacological characterisation of excitatory synaptic transmission in the cat red nucleus in vivo

doi:10.1016/0006-8993(94)91047-2

Brain Research

Volume 649, Issues 1–2, 27 June 1994, Pages 43-52

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(94)91047-2 Get rights and content

Abstract

Extracellular recordings were made from the magnocellular neurones of the red nucleus (mRN) in anaesthetised cats. A study was made of the effects of selective excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists on excitatory monosynaptic responses evoked from the sensorimotor cortex (SMC) and cerebellar interpositus nucleus (IPN). Iontophoretically applied CNQX and NBQX antagonised both SMC and IPN responses whereas,d-AP5 inhibited the SMC response but was ineffective to the IPN. At currents that selectively antagonised NMDA responses, CPPene had no effect on either SMC or IPN responses. 7-chlorokynurenate inhibited both SMC and IPN responses but required currents that antagonised both AMPA and NMDA responses and was therefore acting in a non-selective manner. Iontophoretically applied glycine was inhibitory to both agonist and synaptic responses, whilstd-serine potentiated NMDA responses but did not enhance monosynaptic responses of the SMC. However in the presence of either 7-chlorokynurenate or high currents of CNQX that reduced the SMC synaptic activation of the mRN neurones,d-serine attenuated the inhibitory action of these antagonists. It is concluded that monosynaptic responses from the SMC are mediated by both NMDA and non-NMDA receptors whereas the monosynaptic responses evoked from the IPN are mediated only by non-NMDA receptors. The lack of effect of CPPene is consistent with the postulate that two NMDA receptor subtypes are present on mRN neurones.

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The present study investigates changes in red nucleus (RN) neuronal activity and the role of glutamate receptors (GluRs) after simulated microgravity (tail-suspension) in the rat using single-unit recording and microinjection. The results showed that tail-suspension for 3, 7, and 14 days could induce a significant decrease in spontaneous firing rate of RN neurons in a time-dependent manner. Unilateral microinjection of glutamate into the RN significantly increased the firing rate of RN neurons, but the increased firing rate was significantly reduced following tail-suspension time. Microinjection of the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 or the non-NMDA receptor antagonist DNQX into the RN blocked this excitatory effect induced by glutamate. However, microinjection of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) antagonist (±)-MCPG into the RN had no effect. These results suggest that simulated microgravity can reduce excitability of RN neurons following a functional impairment of glutamate receptors. NMDA and non-NMDA receptors, but not mGluRs, are involved in the mediation of glutamate-evoked excitation of RN neurons. The decrease in excitability of RN neurons may be involved in simulated microgravity-induced muscle atrophy.
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We studied the synaptic input from the nucleus interpositus of the cerebellum to the magnocellular division of the red nucleus (RNm) in the mouse using combined electrophysiological and neuroanatomical methods. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made from brain slices (125–150 μm) cut in a horizontal plane oriented to pass through both red nucleus and nucleus interpositus. Large cells that were visually selected and patched were injected with Lucifer Yellow and identified as RNm neurons.
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Pharmacological characterisation of excitatory synaptic transmission in the cat red nucleus in vivo

Abstract

Brain Res.

Neurosci. Lett.

Brain Res.

Neurosci. Lett.

Brain Res.

Eur. J. Pharmacol.

Exp. Neurol.

Neurosci. Lett.

Eur. J. Pharmacol.

Brain Res.

Brain Res.

Eur. J. Pharmacol.

Neuroscience

Brain Res.

Eur. J. Pharmacol.

Effects of glutamate, aspartate and two presumed antagonists on feline rubrospinal neurones

Pflüger's Archiv.

Identification of a novelN-methyl-d-aspartate receptor population in the rat medial thalamus

J. Neurochem.

The Brain Stem of the Cat

Excitatory amino acid receptors in the vertibrate central nervous system

Pharmacol. Rev.

Amino acid receptor mediated excitatory synaptic transmission in the cat red nucleus

J. Physiol.

Role of excitatory amino acid receptors in mono- and polysynaptic excitation in the cat spinal cord

Exp. Brain Res.