title: Reduced sensitivity of the N-methyl-D-aspartate component of synaptic transmission to magnesium in hippocampal slices from immature rats.
abstract: This study describes the measurement of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-mediated excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) of the CA1 subregion of transverse hippocampal slices from immature and adult rats. Our methods permit extracellular measurement of NMDA-mediated depolarizations in the presence of magnesium (Mg2+) ions. In comparison to slices from adult rats (75-90 days old), NMDA EPSPs in hippocampus from immature rats (25-35 days old) were of significantly greater amplitude and were significantly less sensitive to magnesium. It is suggested that developmental plasticity may be related to changes in magnesium regulation of the NMDA channel complex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (Neurology), Duke University, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Morrisett
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Mott
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Swartzwelder
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010852:Picrotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D008274:Magnesium; D010852:Picrotoxin; D011810:Quinoxalines; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; C056723:FG 9041