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Updated: Oct 23, 2026

Dual Electrophysiological Recordings of Synaptically-evoked Astroglial and Neuronal Responses in Acute Hippocampal Slices
Published on: November 26, 2012
Opposing effects of acetylcholine on the two classes of voltage-dependent calcium channels in hippocampal neurons
1Max-Planck-Institut für Psychiatrie, Abteilung Neurophysiologie, Planegg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Abstract:
Acetylcholine (Ach) was tested for its effect on calcium currents in primary cultures of embryonic rat hippocampal neurons. Ach reversibly depressed, in a dose-dependent way, the high voltage activated (HVA) Ca currents. The effect was antagonized by atropine. Our results suggest that a pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive GTP binding protein (G-protein) is involved in the signal transduction mechanism between the Ach receptor and the HVA Ca channel. Activating rather than depressive effects of Ach were observed on the low voltage-activated component of Ca currents. This effect was also antagonized by atropine but is not mediated by a PTX-sensitive G-protein.
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