Atropine inhibits associative potentiation in the hippocampus.
The effects of the muscarinic receptor blocker atropine on associative long-term potentiation were studied in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus. Focal excitatory post-synaptic potentials (EPSP) were recorded in living slices. Local application of atropine (0.1 mM) significantly inhibited associative long-term potentiation (40-60 min after tetanization) in the "weak" input (str. radiatum 128 +/- 10% compared with 168 +/- 9% in controls). Long-term potentiation at the "strong" input (str. oriens) was increased relative to the control (from 137 +/- 13% to 158 +/- 4%). These results indicate that endogenous acetylcholine aids the development of long-term potentiation in synapses with low levels of activation.
Sokolov
M V
MV
Laboratory for Neuronal Mechanisms of Plastic Processes, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow.
Kleshchevnikov
A M
AM
D000818:Animals; D001285:Atropine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats
D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D001285:Atropine