Mediation of thalamic sensory responses in vivo by ACPD-activated excitatory amino acid receptors.
The existence of the so-called metabotropic excitatory amino acid receptor has been known for some years. Various functions have been suggested for this receptor, but the lack of selective antagonists for (IS, 3R)-aminocyclopentane dicarboxylic acid (ACPD) has precluded the direct demonstration of a functional role for this receptor in synaptic processes. We describe here a specific antagonism of the excitatory responses of thalamic neurons to ACPD by two novel antagonists, and a parallel antagonism by these compounds of sensory synaptic responses to noxious stimuli of the same neurons. This provides the first direct pharmacological evidence for a functional role of ACPD-sensitive receptors in central neurotransmission, and indicates that these receptors may play an important part in central sensory processes.
Eaton
S A
SA
Department of Visual Science, Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.
Birse
E F
EF
Wharton
B
B
Sunter
D C
DC
Udvarhelyi
P M
PM
Watkins
J C
JC
Salt
T E
TE
D000818:Animals; D003515:Cycloleucine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000502:physiology; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017459:Receptors, Amino Acid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*; D013788:Thalamus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
D017459:Receptors, Amino Acid; D003515:Cycloleucine; C036361:1-amino-1,3-dicarboxycyclopentane