Efflux of potassium from neurones excited by glutamate and aspartate causes a depolarization of cultured glial cells.
The time course of the depolarization of cultured astrocytes and neurones by glutamate and aspartate corresponds well with the increase of the extracellular K+ concentration ([K +]0) measured with an ion-sensitive microelectrode placed in the close vicinity of the cells tested. It is concluded that the depolarization of glial cells is caused by an efflux of K+ from neighbouring neurones during their excitation by the amino acids.
D000818:Animals; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005971:Glutamates / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats
D005971:Glutamates; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D011188:Potassium