Effect of hydrocortisone on synaptic transmission in surviving rat olfactory cortex slices

A study has been made of the effect of bath-applied hydrocortisone (10(-4) M) on excitatory transmission of the lateral olfactory tract (LOT), a superficial pyramidal cell synapse of the rat olfactory cortex slice. Populations EPSP and IPSP were depressed for 6-12 min and were then increased (60 min) by hydrocortisone. Recovery of evoked potentials was prolonged (40-60 min) when slices were washed with normal incubation medium. Habituation of synaptic potential during LOT repeated stimulation deteriorated as a result of hydrocortisone application in perfusion solution. The data obtained were considered to represent functions of adaption of the nervous system to a stressor.