Galanin decreases the activity of locus coeruleus neurons in vitro.
A brain slice preparation was used to examine the effects of galanin on the spontaneous firing rate of locus coeruleus noradrenergic neurons. Galanin (10(-9)-10(-7) M), added to the bath, inhibited the firing of 14 out of 19 neurons in a concentration-dependent manner. The observed effect was quite variable, ranging from 20 to 100% at 10(-7) M. Experiments performed in low-Ca2+, high-Mg2+ medium also showed a significant inhibition by galanin (10(-7) M) in three out of five neurons, which suggests that the peptide acts directly.
Seutin
V
V
Laboratory of Pharmacology, University of Liège, Belgium.
Verbanck
P
P
Massotte
L
L
Dresse
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D019004:Galanin; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008125:Locus Coeruleus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D010455:Peptides; D019004:Galanin; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium