Recurrent inhibition in the rat neostriatum

During intracellular recording, in the neostriatum of rats anesthetized with urethane, the triggering of an action potential in the recorded neuron by a depolarizing pulse of current resulted in inhibition in that same neuron. This inhibition was evident through its ability to reduce the amplitude of EPSPs evoked from stimulation of substantia nigra. The shunting of SN EPSPs was shown not to be due to action potential currents. The inhibition is antagonized by the GABA blocking agent bicuculline. Intracellular labeling of recorded neurons revealed them as medium spiny neurons. It is concluded that the extensive axon collaterals of spiny projection neurons mediate recurrent inhibition, a portion of which involves autaptic synapses of a neuron back onto itself.