Actions of norepinephrine in the rat hippocampus

M. Segal, H. Markram, G. Richter-Levin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Acting at postsynaptic α1- and β1-receptors, norepinephrine (NE) exerts a complex action in rat hippocampus. It is currently believed that β1-receptor activation enhances excitability of recorded neurons, whereas α1 activation suppresses reactivity to afferent stimulation. These reported effects of α-agonists are not consistent with α1 effects found elsewhere in the brain. We have conducted experiments in the anesthetized rat and found that an amphetamine-induced increase in the dentate gyrus population spike can be blocked by a β-antagonist but also by an α1-antagonist. We have conducted experiments in the brain slide preparation and found that an α-agonist, phenylephrine (PHE), selectively enhances responses to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) but not to quisqualate. We propose that the product of activation of both α- and β-receptor types will enhance reactivity of hippocampal cells to afferent stimulation.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProgress in Brain Research
Pages323-330
Number of pages8
EditionC
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1991
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameProgress in Brain Research
NumberC
Volume88
ISSN (Print)0079-6123
ISSN (Electronic)1875-7855

Keywords

  • dentate gyrus
  • hippocampus
  • norepinephrine
  • α-receptor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience (all)

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