Related Experiment Videos
Cholinergic neurotransmission in retinal spreading depression
Experimental Brain Research
|January 1, 1980
Summary
Cholinergic synapses play a key role in retinal spreading depression (SD). Acetylcholine (ACh) release and modulation by drugs like atropine and prostigmine influence SD propagation velocity and susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Neurochemistry
Background:
- Retinal spreading depression (SD) is a wave of neuronal depolarization.
- The role of cholinergic pathways in retinal SD is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of cholinergic synapses in retinal spreading depression (SD).
- To determine the effects of acetylcholine (ACh) and related drugs on SD.
Main Methods:
- Measuring ACh concentration during SD in superfused eye cups.
- Administering cholinergic (ACh, prostigmine) and anticholinergic (d-tubocurarine, atropine) drugs.
- Assessing the influence of these drugs on SD susceptibility and propagation velocity.
- Testing the effect of tetrodotoxin on ACh-induced effects.
Main Results:
- Acetylcholine (ACh) is released during retinal SD, with concentrations reaching 10(-4) mM.
- Cholinergic drugs modulate SD: ACh and prostigmine can elicit or potentiate SD, while d-tubocurarine and atropine can block ACh effects.
- ACh and prostigmine decrease SD propagation velocity, whereas anticholinergics can decrease velocity but block ACh effects when continuously present.
- Tetrodotoxin does not block the effects of ACh on SD.
Conclusions:
- Cholinergic synapses are demonstrably involved in retinal spreading depression.
- Acetylcholine plays a significant role in modulating the occurrence and propagation of retinal SD.
- The observed effects are independent of tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium channels, suggesting a distinct mechanism.