Mutual excitation among dorsal root ganglion neurons in the rat.
Intracellular recordings were obtained from primary sensory neurons in excised dorsal root ganglia (DRGs). Most (90%) neurons sampled became depolarized during periods of repetitive stimulation of a branch of the dorsal root (DR) which contained only axons of neighboring neurons. DR stimulation also evoked a transient rise in extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o), following similar kinetics. Thus, the mutual excitation among DRG neurons may be mediated by [K+]o. Activity-dependent cross-excitation in DRGs could contribute to neuropathic sensory abnormalities often triggered by nerve injury or disease.
Utzschneider
D
D
Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06516.
Kocsis
J
J
Devor
M
M
D000818:Animals; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008839:Microelectrodes; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D011188:Potassium