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. 1979 Feb;65(2):339–345. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1979.tb07835.x

Depolarization of neurones in the isolated olfactory cortex of the guinea-pig by γ-aminobutyric acid

DA Brown, CN Scholfield
PMCID: PMC1668608  PMID: 216454

Abstract

1 Effects of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on single neurones in slices of guinea-pig olfactory cortex maintained in vitro were recorded with single intracellular microelectrodes. The average resting potential of 52 cells was -75 mV and apparent input resistance ranged from 20 to 200 MΩ.

2 Superfusions of GABA over the slice invariably depolarized the neurones and reduced their input resistance. The minimum effective concentration was 50 to 200 μM.

3 The reversal potential for the depolarization produced by 0.1 mM GABA (Eg) was -66 ± 2 mV. At concentrations >0.1 mM the reversal potential became progressively more positive (-55 to -50 mV).

4 Reduction of external chloride, with isethionate as the substitute anion, increased the amplitude of the depolarization.

5 GABA reduced the amplitude of the excitatory postsynaptic potential produced by lateral olfactory tract stimulation, and occluded or reversed the subsequent depolarizing recurrent inhibitory postsynaptic potential.

6 Action potentials elicited by injection of depolarizing current or by focal antidromic stimulation were slowed and reduced in amplitude by GABA.

7 The effects of GABA on membrane conductance (potency = 1) were duplicated by 3-aminopropanesulphonic acid (potency = 20), β-alanine (0.5), β-amino-n-butyric acid (0.5), glycine (0.3) and L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid (0.2). For a given conductance change, 3-aminopropanesulphonic acid, glycine and β-alanine produced less depolarization than did GABA.

8 It is concluded that the action of GABA on the neurones is compatible with a role in mediating recurrent postsynaptic inhibition.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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