Does adenosine participate in the mechanism of spreading depression?
It is known that depolarization of cortical cells in vivo during cortical spreading depression (CSD) is accompanied by accumulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP). Under similar conditions in vitro adenosine release has been demonstrated. The present study investigates the possible role of adenosine in the mechanism of CSD. Topically applied adenosine penetrated the cortical tissue and induced enhancement of cAMP levels up to 70% above control, but failed to elicit CSD. Threshold of K(+) to evoke CSD was not affected by adenosine. No EEG or slow potential changes were produced by adenosine. Thus adenosine does not seem to play an active role in the mechanism of CSD.
Ueda
M
M
Institute of Physiology, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechoslovakia.
Krivánek
J
J