Behavior of Stimulus Response Signals in a Rat Cortical Neuronal Network Under Xe Pressure

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biophysics

Background:

• Cultured neurons exhibit spontaneous and network-specific burst firing.
• Synchronous bursting in neuronal networks can be suppressed by xenon (Xe) gas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if xenon gas suppresses signal transmission between neurons.
• To understand the mechanism of xenon-induced suppression of neuronal bursting.

Main Methods:

• Neurons cultured on a multi-electrode array were stimulated electrically.
• Response signals were observed at other electrodes within 10 ms.
• The effect of xenon gas pressure on signal transmission was analyzed.

Main Results:

• Xenon exposure at pressures above 0.3 MPa delayed or abolished response signals, particularly those traversing multiple synaptic connections.
• Signal transmission via axon conduction was also suppressed under sufficient xenon pressure.
• Xenon appears to inhibit signal transduction at multiple points simultaneously.

Conclusions:

• Xenon-induced suppression of synchronized bursting is primarily due to reduced synaptic signal transduction.
• A decrease in the apparent number of active neurons contributes to network suppression.
• Xenon inhibits neuronal network activity by impairing synaptic connections.