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.
Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201.
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Lin
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JW
Phillis
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