Elsevier

Brain Research Bulletin

Volume 3, Issue 5, September–October 1978, Pages 567-570
Brain Research Bulletin

Brief communication
Effects of urethane on hippocampal unit activity in the rat

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Abstract

MERCER, L. F., JR., N. R. REMLEY AND D. P. GILMAN. Effect of urethane on hippocampal unit activity in the rat. BRAIN RES. BULL. 3(5)567–570, 1978.—The effect of urethane on hippocampal single unit activity in rats paralyzed with gallamine triethiodide was examined to determine possible influences of urethane as an anesthetic for electrophysiological recordings. With intravenous injections of urethane (1.0 g/kg body weight), hippocampal units responded initially with a substantial decrease in spontaneous firing rate. Activity in some cells recovered partially after a period of approximately 45 min. The activity of the remainder of cells recorded remained depressed for periods of time up to 1.5 hr. Longer periods of depression were observed in some cells. The difference in susceptibility to urethane in the population of hippocampal cells may offer a selective alteration in patterns of spontaneous activity in the hippocampus and systems efferent to the hippocampus. A knowledge of such alterations may prove important in interpreting the results of electrophysiological recording in preparations under urethane anesthesia.

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This research was supported by the Texas Christian University Research Foundation. Address correspondence to Dr. L. F. Mercer, Jr., University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78284.

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