title: Fast desensitization of glutamate activated AMPA/kainate receptors in rat thalamic neurones.
abstract: An essential part of the excitatory afferent input to the thalamus is mediated by glutamate receptors of the AMPA/kainate type. In contrast to other regions of the mammalian CNS, the biophysical properties of these receptors have not been investigated in thalamic neurones. Using a fast transmitter application system we studied L-glutamate activated currents of cultured neurones in the whole cell and outside-out patch configuration. Current-voltage relationships and dose-response curves of whole cell recordings were in close correspondence to results obtained from other brain areas. Analysis of outside-out patch currents revealed two types of desensitization time constants of 3.0 and 10.2 ms, with the former close to the time constant of decay of miniature glutamatergic synaptic currents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Neurobiochemistry, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lessmann
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gottmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004594:Electrophysiology; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007700:Kinetics; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018092:Kainic Acid Receptors / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology; D013788:Thalamus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018698:Glutamic Acid; D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D018092:Kainic Acid Receptors