Electrical Interactions Between Mammalian Cortical Neurons.

摘要

The purpose of our research has been to delineate mechanisms of neuronal communication in the mammalian brain. We have studied rapid mechanisms of communication, including electrical transmission and chemical synapses, with an emphasis on local interactions among cortical and hypothalamic neurons. In the hippocampus, we are completing our studies concerning the effects of altered osmolality of the extracellular fluid on synchronous bursting of population spikes in low-Ca2+ solutions (chemical synapses blocked). Electrophysiological studies on hypothalamic neurons have primarily evaluated the role of excitatory amino acids in fast synaptic transmission in the supraoptic, paraventricular and suprachiasmatic nuclei. Intracellular recordings have allowed direct analyses of EPSPs, and single-electrode voltage-clamp experiments have permitted analyses of synaptic currents. These experiments have provided direct evidence that glutamate is the primary fast excitatory transmitter throughout the hypothalamus. Keywords: Electrical interactions, Hippocampus, Hypothalamus suprachiasmatic nucleus, Excitatory amino acids. (JES)