Neuroscience 2002 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 240.6 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | DOPAMINE NEURONS MAKE EXCITATORY MONOSYNAPTIC CONNECTIONS ONTO N. ACCUMBENS NEURONS IN BRAIN SLICE. |
| Authors: |
Chuhma, N.*1,2,3
; Masson, J.1,2,4
; Zhuang, X.5,6,7
; Hen, R.8,9
; Rayport, S.1,2,3
1Psychiatry, Columbia Univ., New York, NY 2Neurobiology & Behavior, Columbia Univ., New York, NY 3Neuroscience, NYS Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 4Moleculaire, Cellulaire et Fonctionnelle, INSERM 288, Paris, France 5Neurobiology, Univ Chicago, Chicago, IL 6Pharmacology, Univ Chicago, Chicago, IL 7Physiology, Univ Chicago, Chicago, IL 8Pharmacology, Columbia Univ, New York, NY 9Neurobiology & Behavior, Columbia Univ, New York, NY |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Synaptic Transmission and Excitability - Neurotransmitters -- Glutamate |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Synaptic Transmission and Excitability<br />- Neurotransmitters<br />-- Catecholamines |
| Session: |
240. Neurotransmitters: glutamate--synaptic function Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Monday, November 4, 2002 9:00 AM-10:00 AM |
| Location: | Hall A2-B3 C-31 |
| Keywords: | VENTRAL TEGMENTAL AREA, GLUTAMATE, TRANSGENIC, PATCH CLAMP |
Several lines of evidence have suggested that dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) use glutamate as a cotransmitter. We used P8 - P19 transgenic mice with fluorescent DA neurons (DAT-YFP mice; see Masson et al., SFN 2001) to guide the preparation of horizontal brain slices (500 µm thick) encompassing the intact DA neuron projection to the n. accumbens (nAcc). Synaptic currents were recorded in nAcc medium-spiny GABAergic neurons with patch electrodes, under GABAA blockade with gabazine and with intracellular QX-314. Focal, extracellular stimulation of the VTA elicited a putative monosynaptic response with a fixed latency of 19.5 ± 0.9 msec and amplitude of 22.1 ± 2.1 pA (n = 17 cells). This was often followed by a barrage of polysynaptic EPSCs with a latency of 147.1 ± 16.6 msec and amplitude 36.5 ± 2.9 pA (n = 8 cells). The fast responses were reduced reversibly by bath application of the D2 agonist quinpirole (10 µM) to 58.8 ± 6.1% (n = 3 cells), arguing that they arise from DA neurons, and blocked completely with CNQX 50 µM, arguing that they are glutamatergic. Back propagated action currents with a latency of 17.7 ± 0.7 msec were also seen (n = 4 cells). DA neuron glutamatergic synapses add a new dimension to DA neuron signaling and may prove to be a novel plastic site underlying normal and pathological appetitive behaviors.
Supported by NIDA, NARSAD, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2002 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Orlando, FL: Society for Neuroscience, 2002. Online.
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