Primary afferent depolarization. Distribution of the gamma-aminobutyric acid system in frog spinal cord

In the frog spinal cord primary afferent depolarization (PAD) constitutes a powerful inhibitory control mechanism. It has been suggested that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the transmitter substance involved in the genesis of PAD. In these studies we show that maximal glutamic acid decarboxylase...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neurochemical research 1980-09, Vol.5 (9), p.1037-1045
Main Authors: Glusman, S, Pacheco, M, McAdoo, D, Haber, B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Anura
Electric Stimulation
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - analysis
Neurons, Afferent - physiology
Spinal Cord - physiology
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Summary:In the frog spinal cord primary afferent depolarization (PAD) constitutes a powerful inhibitory control mechanism. It has been suggested that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the transmitter substance involved in the genesis of PAD. In these studies we show that maximal glutamic acid decarboxylase activity is localized roughly 400-600 micrometers from the dorsal surface, and that correlates well with the intraspinal distribution of field potentials associated with PAD. Measurements of GABA in serial spinal cord sections cut in a dorsal--ventral direction shows that high levels of GABA are seen at 400--600 micrometers, with a peak at 800 micrometers from the dorsal surface. Stimulation at frequencies shown to produce PAD augments the release of endogenous GABA from a superfused frog hemicord preparation.
ISSN:0364-3190
DOI:10.1007/BF00966141