Differential Modulation of Single Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels by Cholinergicand Adrenergic Agonists in Adult Hippocampal Neurons

摘要

The hippocampal formation has been a popular preparation with cellularneurophysiologists. The widespread use of the in vitro hippocampal slice preparation is at least partially due to its unique structure in which the cell bodies of the primary cell types and their major synaptic connections are arranged in layers transverse to the long axis of the hippocampus. The major intrinsic synaptic pathways (perforant path, mossy fibers, and Schaffer collaterals), therefore, are largely preserved in transverse slices. In an attempt to overcome some of the difficulties associated with the application of traditional voltage-clamp techniques to cortical neurons, we have developed an adult hippocampal slice preparation in which the neurons, after treatment with proteolytic enzymes, are physically exposed and amenable to the use of patch-clamp recording techniques.