Developmental changes in the alpha-adrenergic responses of rat periaqueductal grey neurons

The postnatal changes in alpha-adrenoceptor mediated postsynaptic actions in neurons of the rat midbrain periaqueductal grey (PAG) were examined using whole cell patch clamping techniques. Noradrenaline produced an alpha1-adrenoceptor-mediated inward current which was less in younger (P9-12) than in older rats (P21-30). The alpha1-adrenoceptor response increased between postnatal days 13 and 16. In contrast, alpha2-adrenoceptor, GABA-B and mu-opioid receptor-mediated outward currents remained unchanged between P7 and P30. These observations suggest that alpha1-adrenoceptor responses in the PAG undergo significant postnatal developmental upregulation. Thus, catecholaminergic modulation of the autonomic and nociceptive functions of the PAG are likely to undergo significant postnatal alterations.