Halothane blocks synaptic excitation of inhibitory interneurons

Misha Perouansky*, Eilon D. Kirson, Yoel Yaari

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Activation of principal hippocampal neurons is controlled by feedforward and feedback inhibition mediated by γ-aminobutyric acidergic interneurons. The effects of halothane on glutamate receptor-mediated synaptic excitation of inhibitory interneurons have not been reported yet. Methods: The effects of halothane on glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic currents and on spike threshold in visually identified interneurons were studied with tight-seal, whole-cell voltage- and current-clamp recordings in thin slices from adult mouse hippocampus. The excitatory postsynaptic currents were pharmacologically isolated into their N-methyl-D-aspartate and non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated components using selective antagonists. Results: Halothane (0.37-2.78 mM) reversibly blocked non-N- methyl-D-aspartate and N-methyl-D-aspartate excitatory postsynaptic currents in hippocampal oriens-alveus interneurons. Half-maximal inhibition was observed at similar concentrations (0.59 nM and 0.50 mM, respectively). Halothane inhibited synaptically generated action potentials at concentrations that did not elevate the spike threshold. Conclusions: Halothane blocks glutamate receptor-mediated synaptic activation of inhibitory interneurons in the mouse hippocampus.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1431-1438
Number of pages8
JournalAnesthesiology
Volume85
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anesthetics, volatile: halothane
  • Animals: mouse
  • Brain: hippocampus
  • Central nervous system, neuron: interneuron, pyramidal cell
  • Central nervous system, receptors: glutamate; N-methyl-D-aspartate, non-N-methyl-D- aspartate
  • Central nervous system: excitatory postsynaptic currents
  • Measurement technique: hippocampal slice; patchclamp

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