title: 5-Hydroxytryptamine hyperpolarizes CA3 hippocampal pyramidal cells through an increase in potassium conductance.
abstract: The firing rate of hippocampal pyramidal cells recorded from the CA3 subfield is inhibited by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) or by electrical stimulation of the ascending serotonergic fibers from the raphe. The mechanism of action of this inhibitory effect produced by 5-HT has not been determined. Intracellular recording techniques in the hippocampal slice preparation were used to measure the effect of 5-HT perfusion on membrane properties of CA3 pyramidal cells. In 15 out of 16 cells tested, 5-HT elicited a pronounced hyperpolarization concomitant with a decrease in membrane resistance. The hyperpolarization was not altered with either potassium chloride or potassium methylsulphate electrodes; the hyperpolarization by 5-HT was not present when electrodes were filled with cesium chloride. The reversal potential of the 5-HT mediated response was determined to be-105.5 mV in 3 mM KCl buffer using single electrode voltage clamp techniques. Based on these results we conclude that the mechanism of action of the 5-HT inhibition of CA3 hippocampal pyramidal cell excitability is due to an increase in potassium conductance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL 60153.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010477:Perfusion; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011903:Raphe Nuclei / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels; D012701:Serotonin