GABAB receptors presynaptically modulate excitatory synaptic transmission in the rat supraoptic nucleus in vitro

1. The effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid-B (GABAB)-receptor activation on excitatory synaptic transmission in the rat supraoptic nucleus (SON) was examined using the nystatin perforated-patch whole cell recording technique in coronal hypothalamic slices. 2. Stimulation of the hypothalamic region dorso-medial to the SON elicited glutamate and GABAA-receptor-mediated synaptic responses in electrophysiologically identified magnocellular neurosecretory cells. 3. Bath application of the GABAB-receptor agonist, +/- -baclofen reversibly reduced pharmacologically isolated, glutamate-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in a concentration-dependent manner. At the concentrations used, baclofen altered neither the postsynaptic conductances of these cells nor their response to bath applied alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA). 4. The baclofen-induced synaptic depression was accompanied by an increase in paired pulse facilitation (PPF). This increase in PPF, as well as the synaptic depression, was blocked by the GABAB-receptor antagonists CGP36742 and saclofen. 5. In addition to blocking the actions of baclofen in this nucleus, CGP36742 caused an increase in the evoked EPSC amplitude without altering postsynaptic cell conductances or responses induced by bath-applied AMPA. Contrary to the action of CGP36742, saclofen caused a baclofen-like depression of the evoked EPSC, suggesting that it may act as a partial GABAB receptor agonist. 6. These results indicate that the activation of presynaptic GABAB receptors reduces fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the SON. They further suggest that presynaptic GABAB receptors may be tonically activated in vitro. Thus GABAB receptors may influence the level of activity and excitation of SON neurons and hence modulate the secretion of the regulatory neuropeptides vasopressin and oxytocin.