The effect of the convulsant agent, catechol, on neurotransmitter uptake and release in rat brain slices.
1 The effect of catechol on uptake and K+-stimulated release of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), D-aspartate, noradrenaline and acetylcholine has been studied in slices of cerebral cortex and thalamus. 2 Low concentrations of catechol did not influence the uptake of any of the neurotransmitters in either brain area. 3 Noradrenaline release was unaffected by catechol. 4 Acetylcholine release from both cortical and thalamic slices was inhibited by high concentrations of catechol. This phenomenon is unlikely to be related to catechol-induced convulsions. 5 Catechol (100 microM) inhibited GABA release from cortical slices by 28%. However, at a concentration of 10 microM catechol enhanced the release of D-aspartate from thalamic slices by over 100%. 6 Potentiated release of excitatory amino acid transmitters may contribute to the enhanced excitability of thalamic cells which occurs during sensory myoclonus induced by low doses of catechol.
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002396:Catechols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003292:Convulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
D000596:Amino Acids; D002396:Catechols; D003292:Convulsants; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000109:Acetylcholine; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium; D009638:Norepinephrine