Activity-dependent K+ accumulation in the developing rat optic nerve

Barry W. Connors*, Bruce R. Ransom, David M. Kunis, Michael J. Gutnick

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

142 Scopus citations

Abstract

Potassium-sensitive microelectrodes were used to study activity-dependent changes of extracellular potassium ion concentration ([K+] o) in rat optic nerves of different postnatal ages (1 day to adulthood). The maximum level to which [K+]o rose with optimal frequencies of stimulation depended on age: mean maximum evoked [K +]o was 17.2 mM in 1- to 3-day-old optic nerves and 9.8 mM in adult nerves. The ceiling [K+]o seen in immature optic nerves, which is uniquely large for a mammalian central nervous system structure, may result from a relatively enhanced rate of evoked K+ release.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1341-1343
Number of pages3
JournalScience
Volume216
Issue number4552
DOIs
StatePublished - 1982
Externally publishedYes

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