title: Hippocampal GABAergic transmission: a new target for adenosine control of excitability.
abstract: Physiological network functioning in the hippocampus is dependent on a balance between glutamatergic cell excitability and the activity of diverse local circuit neurons that release the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Tuners of neuronal communication such as adenosine, an endogenous modulator of synapses, control hippocampal network operations by regulating excitability. Evidence has been recently accumulating on the influence of adenosine on different aspects of GABAergic transmission to shape hippocampal function. This review addresses how adenosine, through its high-affinity A1(A1R) and A2Areceptors (A2AR), interferes with different GABA-mediated forms of inhibition in the hippocampus to regulate neuronal excitability. Adenosine-mediated modulation of phasic/tonic inhibitory transmission, of GABA transport mechanisms and its interference with other modulatory systems are discussed together with the putative implications for neuronal function in physiological and pathological conditions. This article is part of a mini review series: 'Synaptic Function and Dysfunction in Brain Diseases'.
authors: Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.|Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors: Diogo M
authors: DM
authors: Rombo
authors: Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.|Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors: Joaquim A
authors: JA
authors: Ribeiro
authors: Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.|Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors: Ana M
authors: AM
authors: Sebastião
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D059330:GABAergic Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018047:Receptors, Purinergic P1 / Q000378:metabolism; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D018047:Receptors, Purinergic P1; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000241:Adenosine
keywords: GABAergic transmission; adenosine receptors; hippocampus; interneurons; neuronal excitability