High-temperature, but not high-pressure, conditions alter neuronal activity.
We describe the effect of high pressure and high temperature on neuronal activity. Increased intracranial pressure is generally a pathological sign observed in intracerebral hemorrhage, brain edema, and brain tumor, yet little is known about how the hyperbaric pressure per se affects neuronal activity. Using a pressure/temperature-changeable perfusion chamber, we carried out functional multineuron calcium imaging to record spontaneous spiking activity simultaneously from about 100 neurons in hippocampal slice cultures. High-pressure conditions (up to 100 mmHg) did not alter the network excitability, whereas high-temperature conditions (up to 40 degrees C) increased synchronized network activity. Thus, neurons are sensitive to feverish conditions, but the acute hyperbaric circumstance itself is unlikely to exert a detrimental effect on neuronal function.
Mizunuma
Mika
M
Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan.
Takahashi
Naoya
N
Usami
Atsushi
A
Matsuki
Norio
N
Ikegaya
Yuji
Y
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007427:Intracranial Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar