title: Effect of amino acids and monoamines on the neuronal activity of suprachiasmatic nucleus in hypothalamic slice preparations.
abstract: Influences of amino acids and monoamines on the single unit discharges of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) were investigated using hypothalamic slice preparations. Iontophoretic application of GABA inhibited 90% and taurine inhibited 40% of SCN neurons, while glycine inhibited only 4%. L-glutamate excited about 50% of the neurons. Serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine inhibited 30, 22 and 26% of the SCN neurons, respectively. Amino acid effects were observed equally in both the ventrolateral part of the SCN and the remaining part of it, while monoamine effects were observed preferentially in the ventrolateral part of the SCN where the optic fibers and serotonin nerves terminated. These results suggest that amino acids and monoamines modulate the neuronal activity of the SCN through their direct effects.
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D001679:Biogenic Amines; D012701:Serotonin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid