Cholinergic modulation of epileptiform activity in the developing rat neocortex

The effects of carbachol on picrotoxin-induced epileptiform activity and membrane properties of neurons in the developing rat neocortex were examined in an in vitro slice preparation. Intracellular recordings were obtained in layer II-III neurons of slices prepared from rats 9-21 days of age. Epileptiform activity in 9- to 14-day-olds consisted of a sharply rising, sustained (10-30 s) membrane depolarization with superimposed action potentials. Bath application of carbachol (5-50 microM) raised the threshold for evoking epileptiform activity but, when such responses were evoked, their underlying depolarizations were increased in amplitude. Orthodromic stimulation in slices from 15- to 21-day-old animals evoked a prolonged epileptiform burst response that triggered an episode of spreading depression (SD). Carbachol reduced epileptiform responses and suppressed the occurrence of SD. It did not significantly affect the resting membrane potential or the height of the action potential but decreased the rheobase current needed to evoke an action potential and increased the input resistance. All effects of carbachol were antagonized by atropine (1 microM). These results indicate that carbachol has both pre- and postsynaptic effects in the developing neocortex and can significantly modulate neuronal excitability in the immature nervous system.