Comparison of bicyclic phosphorous esters with bicuculline and picrotoxin as antagonists of presynaptic inhibition in the rat cuneate nucleus

Summary The effects of 2 of a series of bicyclic phosphorous esters, the ethyl (EPTBO) and isopropyl (IPTBO) compounds, were compared with those of the GABA antagonists, picrotoxin and bicuculline, on presynaptic inhibition in the rat cuneate nucleus. Both EPTBO and IPTBO were found to be effective, reversible antagonists of presynaptic inhibition, with IPTBO approximately 10 times more potent than EPTBO and equipotent with bicuculline, EPTBO equipotent with picrotoxin.The authors are grateful to Dr J. F. Collins, Department of Chemistry, Sir John Cass School of Science and Technology, 31 Jewry Street, London, for the gift of bicyclic phosphorous esters.     

Variation of nuclear size of neurons of the ventromedial nucleus in relation to spermatogenesis in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus)

Zusammenfassung Nachweis, dass bei ausgewachsenen Totenkopfaffen (Saimiri sciureus) die Zellkerndurchmesser im Nucleus ventromedialis hypothalami in der Periode der hochaktiven Spermiogenese kleiner sind als zu Beginn der Brunstperiode. Da das limbische System mit diesem Kern zusammenhängt, sind direkte Einflüsse nicht auszuschliessen.     

Volume changes in the cell nuclei of the ventromedial nucleus of the rabbit following hemorrhage

Zusammenfassung Der Einfluss der starken Blutentnahme auf die Grösse der Zellkerne im Nucleus ventromedialis (VMN) wurde am Kaninchenhypothalamus untersucht und mit der Kerngrösse im Nc. ceruleus und im cerebellaren Cortex verglichen. Es wurde festgestellt, dass die morphologischen Veränderungen im VMN in drei Phasen verlaufen: 1. schnelle Kernverkleinerung, 2. Plateauphase und 3. Kernvergrösserung. Als Kontrollen wurden Tiere mit implantierten Carotiskanülen ohne Blutentnahme verwendet.     

Monosynaptic inhibition of thalamic neurons produced by stimulation of the substantia nigra

Summary Electrical stimulation to the substantia nigra (Pars reticulata) produced a monosynaptic inhibition of the neurons of the ventromedial necleus of the thalamus in anesthetized cats.     

GABAergic inhibition of neurons in the ventral tegmental area

Summary Stimulation of the nucleus accumbens evokes a potent inhibition in neurons of the ventral tegmental area. GABA is likely to act as a transmitter in this descending inhibitory system.     

Identification of GABA accumulating neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus]

A possible GABAergic innervation of the nucleus raphe dorsalis (NRD) was investigated by measuring glutamate decarboxylase activity in the NRD after lesioning the afferents of this nucleus. The slight decrease found in the enzymatic activity suggests that these afferents have a minor participation in the GABA innervation of the NRD and implies the existence of an intrinsic GABAergic system in this nucleus. This local innervation was demonstrated by radio-autography and shows fibers, axonal varicosities and cell bodies which accumulate 3H GABA in the caudal part of this nucleus.     

GABAergic inhibition of neurons in the ventral tegmental area.

Stimulation of the nucleus accumbens evokes a potent inhibition in neurons of the ventral tegmental area. GABA is likely to act as a transmitter in this descending inhibitory system.     

Ultrastructure of neurons of nucleus preopticus and pars lateralis of the nucleus lateralis tuberis in Gambusia (Teleosta poeciliidae)]

The nucleus preopticus (NPO) and the pars lateralis of the nucleus lateralis tuberis (NLT) have been examined at the ultrastructural level. In the NPO two types of large neurons occur, both containing 140-150 nm secretory granules. The pars lateralis of the NLT contains only one cell type with similar granules. Both of these nuclei may be the source of type A fibres innervating the gonadotropic cells of Gambusia.     

Behavior modifications induced by unilateral administration of picrotoxin into rat substantia nigra]

Intranigral injection of picrotoxin in Rats induced contralateral rotation and stereotyped behaviour. These responses were significantly altered following neuroleptic treatment (haloperiod, pimozide) or ipsilateral striatal electrolytic destruction. The present results provide behavioural evidence for gamma-aminobutyric acid-mediated inhibition of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway.     

Intracellular analysis of antidromically and synaptically activated nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis neurons

Résumé On a enregistré les potentiels electriques monoet poly-synaptiques (EPSPs) des cellules du nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis en stimulant le nucleus interpositus (NI), le brachium conjunctivum (BC) et le pédoncule cérébelleux. Les expériences de collision ont montré que des axones des cellules NRTP activent leurs neurones via BC. Quelques potentiels postsynaptiques exitateurs induits par le nucleus interpositus ont été inversés par un courant dépolarisant appliqué au voisinage de la microélectrode de dérivation, ce qui indique que les terminaisons synaptiques d'axones NI se trouvent près du sommet des cellules NRTP.

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This work was supported by NIH Grants Nos. Ns 00405, RR 5384 and NSF Grant No. GB 35532.