Muscarinic agonist-mediated induction of long-term potentiation in rat cerebral cortex.
A long-lasting potentiation (usually following an initial short depression) of neuronal evoked responses was induced in neurons of rat sensorimotor cortex after a single application of the muscarinic agonists, oxotremorine, McN-A-343, or oxotremorine-M. The potentiation was characterized as being of slow onset (several minutes), progressive development, long-lasting (for as long as two hours), and was evident for both glutamate- and acetylcholine-evoked neuronal discharges. Potentiation was manifested as an increase in the frequency and duration of the evoked neuronal discharges, in a dose-dependent fashion. Blockade could be achieved if a muscarinic antagonist (atropine, pirenzepine or gallamine) was applied prior to, but not after, development of the long-lasting potentiation. These results suggest that certain muscarinic agonists may be useful in reducing the memory deficits of patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Lin
Y
Y
Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201.
Phillis
J W
JW
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005971:Glutamates / Q000494:pharmacology; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010277:Parasympathomimetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D005971:Glutamates; D010277:Parasympathomimetics; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D000109:Acetylcholine