title: Noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine in cerebellar nuclei of the rat: functional effects on neuronal firing.
abstract: The firing rate of single cerebellar nuclear neurons was studied during microiontophoretic application of noradrenaline (NA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and their agonists in deeply anesthetized rats. NA application depressed the neuronal firing rate more in the medial nucleus (MN) than in the interpositus (IN) and in the lateral nucleus (LN). These responses were mimicked by alpha(2) and, to a lesser extent, beta receptor agonists. 5-HT evoked inhibition in MN and various effects (inhibitory, excitatory, biphasic) in IN and LN. Excitatory responses were more numerous in the posterior than in the anterior zone of IN. Agonists at 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2) receptors mimicked inhibition only. In conclusion, NA and 5-HT exerted a similar action on MN neurons; in contrast, the effects of 5-HT on IN and LN were more differentiated than those exerted by NA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Mauro
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fretto
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caldera
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li Volsi
authors.forename: Flora
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Licata
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ciranna
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santangelo
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D002529:Cerebellar Nuclei / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D007478:Iontophoresis; D008839:Microelectrodes; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012701:Serotonin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D009638:Norepinephrine