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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1341-1343 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Science |
Volume | 216 |
Issue number | 4552 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1982 |
Externally published | Yes |