Tonic GABA(A) receptor-mediated currents in human brain.

• GABA(A) receptors can mediate both phasic (synaptic) and tonic (extrasynaptic) forms of inhibition. It has been proposed that tonic inhibition plays a critical part in controlling neuronal and network excitability. Although tonic GABA(A) receptor-mediated currents have been well characterized in rodents, their existence in human tissue has yet to be demonstrated. Here we show that tonic currents can be recorded from human tissue obtained from patients undergoing temporal lobectomies. Tonic GABA(A) receptor-mediated currents were present in pyramidal cells and interneurons in layer V-VI of temporal neocortex and granule cells in the dentate gyrus. These tonic currents have cell type-specific pharmacologies, opening up the possibility of targeted therapeutics.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Fysiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Physiology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kirurgi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Surgery (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Animals

Anti-Anxiety Agents

pharmacology

Cerebral Cortex

cytology

metabolism

Dentate Gyrus

cytology

metabolism

Desoxycorticosterone

analogs & derivatives

pharmacology

Electrophysiology

GABA Antagonists

pharmacology

Humans

Interneurons

cytology

metabolism

Membrane Potentials

Neurons

cytology

drug effects

metabolism

Picrotoxin

pharmacology

Pyridazines

pharmacology

Receptors

GABA-A

metabolism

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)