Facilitatory actions of guanidine on synaptic transmission in mammalian brain slices

Galvan, Martin; Grafe, Peter and Ten Bruggencate, Gerrit (1980): Facilitatory actions of guanidine on synaptic transmission in mammalian brain slices. In: Experimental Neurology, Vol. 67, No. 1: pp. 234-246

Abstract

Guanidine administration may be beneficial in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and related diseases; however, the actions of guanidine on the mammalian central nervous system have not been investigated. We studied the effects of this compound on neuronal properties and synaptic transmission in isolated slices of guinea pig olfactory cortex using intra- and extracellular recording mothods. Addition of guanidine to the superfusate (≥300 μ ) produced the following effects. (a) Excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials, evoked by stimulation of the lateral olfactory tract, were increased in amplitude and duration; (b) the amplitude and frequency of spontaneously occurring postsynaptic potentials was significantly increased; (c) membrane potential and input resistance remained virtually unchanged; and (d) the duration of the lateral olfactory tract compound action potential was prolonged. These results suggest that guanidine enhances the release of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the mammalian cortex and this effect may be beneficial in human central nervous system diseases in which the efficiency of synaptic transmission is reduced.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Medicine
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health