Developmental changes in the alpha-adrenergic responses of rat periaqueductal grey neurons.
The postnatal changes in alpha-adrenoceptor mediated postsynaptic actions in neurons of the rat midbrain periaqueductal grey (PAG) were examined using whole cell patch clamping techniques. Noradrenaline produced an alpha1-adrenoceptor-mediated inward current which was less in younger (P9-12) than in older rats (P21-30). The alpha1-adrenoceptor response increased between postnatal days 13 and 16. In contrast, alpha2-adrenoceptor, GABA-B and mu-opioid receptor-mediated outward currents remained unchanged between P7 and P30. These observations suggest that alpha1-adrenoceptor responses in the PAG undergo significant postnatal developmental upregulation. Thus, catecholaminergic modulation of the autonomic and nociceptive functions of the PAG are likely to undergo significant postnatal alterations.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010487:Periaqueductal Gray / Q000254:growth & development*; D051381:Rats; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha