We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Ca<sup>2+</sup> Influx through NMDA-Gated Channels Activates ATP-Sensitive K<sup>+</sup> Currents through a Nitric Oxide-cGMP Pathway in Subthalamic Neurons.
- Authors
Ke-Zhong Shen; Johnson, Steven W.
- Abstract
Excessive burst firing of action potentials in subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons has been correlated with the brady kinesia and rigidity seen in Parkinson's disease. Consequently, there is much interest in characterizing mechanisms that promote burst firing, such as the regulation of NMDA receptor function. Using whole-cell recording techniques in rat brain slices, we report that inward currents evoked by NMDA are greatly potentiated by ATP-sensitiveK+(K-ATP) channel blocking agents in STN neurons but not in dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra. Moreover, we found that the ability of NMDA to evoke K-ATP current was blocked by inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase, guanylyl cyclase, and calcium/calmodulin. By altering firing patterns of STN neurons, this NMDA/K-ATP interaction may exert an important influence on basal ganglia output and thereby affect the clinical expression of Parkinson's disease.
- Subjects
SUBTHALAMUS; CALCIUM channels; NITRIC oxide; GUANYLATE cyclase; BASAL ganglia; PARKINSON'S disease
- Publication
Journal of Neuroscience, 2010, Vol 30, Issue 5, p1882
- ISSN
0270-6474
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3200-09.2010