title: Second-by-second analysis of alpha 7 nicotine receptor regulation of glutamate release in the prefrontal cortex of awake rats.
abstract: These experiments utilized an enzyme-based microelectrode selective for the second-by-second detection of extracellular glutamate to reveal the alpha 7-based nicotinic modulation of glutamate release in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of freely moving rats. Rats received intracortical infusions of the nonselective nicotinic agonist nicotine (12.0 mM, 1.0 microg/0.4 microl) or the selective alpha 7 agonist choline (2.0 mM/0.4 microl). The selectivity of drug-induced glutamate release was assessed in subgroups of animals pretreated with the alpha 7 antagonist, alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BGT, 10 microM), or kynurenine (10 microM) the precursor of the astrocyte-derived, negative allosteric alpha 7 modulator kynurenic acid. Local administration of nicotine increased glutamate signals (maximum amplitude = 4.3 +/- 0.6 microM) that were cleared to baseline levels in 493 +/- 80 seconds. Pretreatment with alpha-BGT or kynurenine attenuated nicotine-induced glutamate by 61% and 60%, respectively. Local administration of choline also increased glutamate signals (maximum amplitude = 6.3 +/- 0.9 microM). In contrast to nicotine-evoked glutamate release, choline-evoked signals were cleared more quickly (28 +/- 6 seconds) and pretreatment with alpha-BGT or kynurenine completely blocked the stimulated glutamate release. Using a method that reveals the temporal dynamics of in vivo glutamate release and clearance, these data indicate a nicotinic modulation of cortical glutamate release that is both alpha 7- and non-alpha 7-mediated. Furthermore, these data may also provide a mechanism underlying the recent focus on alpha 7 full and partial agonists as therapeutic agents in the treatment of cortically mediated cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
authors.forename: Asa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Konradsson-Geuken
authors.forename: Clelland R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Gash
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Francois
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pomerleau
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Huettl
authors.forename: Greg A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Gerhardt
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bruno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D002138:Calibration; D002404:Catheterization; D002794:Choline / Q000494:pharmacology; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D007737:Kynurenine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008839:Microelectrodes; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
chemical_list: D002038:Bungarotoxins; C579165:Chrna7 protein, rat; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D018733:Nicotinic Antagonists; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor; D007737:Kynurenine; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D009538:Nicotine; D002794:Choline