Effects of GABA on acutely isolated neurons from the gustatory zone of the rat nucleus of the solitary tract

Junhui Du, Robert M. Bradley

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    11 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Responses of acutely isolated neurons from the rostral nucleus of the solitary tract (rNST) to GABA receptor agonists and antagonists were investigated using whole-cell recording in current clamp mode. The isolated neurons retain their morphology and can be divided into multipolar elongate and ovoid cell types. Most rNST neurons (97%), including all three cell types, respond to GABA with membrane hyperpolarization and a reduction in input resistance. The GABA(A) receptor agonist muscimol reduces neuronal input resistance in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen had no effect on any of the neurons tested. The GABA and muscimol reversal potentials were both found to be -75 mV. Both the GABA competitive antagonist picrotoxin and the GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline block the effect of GABA in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that GABA activates all neurons in the rNST and that inhibitory synaptic activity is important in brainstem processing of gustatory and somatosensory information.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)683-688
    Number of pages6
    JournalChemical Senses
    Volume23
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Dec 1998

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Physiology
    • Sensory Systems
    • Physiology (medical)
    • Behavioral Neuroscience

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