Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Steroids and electrical activity in the brain

M Joëls1, W Hesen, H Karst

  • 1Department of Experimental Zoology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
|June 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) occupation stabilizes hippocampal CA1 neuronal function. However, additional glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activation can disrupt this stability, potentially leading to network vulnerability.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Science with Seymour Levine: on glucocorticoid action from birth to senescence.

Neurobiology of stress·2026
Same author

Effects of the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist eplerenone in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology·2024
Same author

The stressed brain of humans and rodents.

Acta physiologica (Oxford, England)·2018
Same author

Importance of the brain corticosteroid receptor balance in metaplasticity, cognitive performance and neuro-inflammation.

Frontiers in neuroendocrinology·2018
Same author

Mineralocorticoid receptor associates with pro-inflammatory bias in the hippocampus of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Journal of neuroendocrinology·2017
Same author

Forebrain glutamatergic, but not GABAergic, neurons mediate anxiogenic effects of the glucocorticoid receptor.

Molecular psychiatry·2016

Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Cellular Neuroscience
  • Neurophysiology

Background:

  • Corticosteroid hormones, like mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, influence brain function by binding to distinct receptors.
  • The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) has high affinity, while the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has lower affinity for these hormones.
  • Receptor occupation varies with physiological states, including rest, circadian rhythms, and stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term effects of MR and GR activation on neuronal excitability in the CA1 hippocampal field.
  • To elucidate the distinct roles of MR and GR in regulating synaptic transmission and neuronal electrical properties.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro electrophysiological recording techniques were employed to assess neuronal activity.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Neuronal responses to synaptic stimulation and biogenic amines were measured under varying conditions of MR and GR occupation.

    • Main Results:

    • Predominant MR occupation correlated with stable synaptic transmission and low ionic currents.
    • Concurrent MR and GR occupation led to a decline in synaptic response and increased ionic conductances.
    • Electrical properties when both receptors were unoccupied resembled those when both were activated, indicating a U-shaped corticosterone dependency.

    Conclusions:

    • MR occupation is crucial for maintaining information processing and circuit stability in the CA1 hippocampus.
    • GR activation, in addition to MR occupation, initially suppresses synaptic activity but may ultimately increase neuronal network instability and vulnerability.