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Heat generation associated with synaptic transmission in the mammalian superior cervical ganglion
Author(s) -
Kusano K.,
Tasaki I.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.490250214
Subject(s) - superior cervical ganglion , neurotransmission , neuroscience , transmission (telecommunications) , ganglion , biology , computer science , anatomy , telecommunications , genetics , receptor
By use of a thermal detector constructed with a thin polyvinylidene fluoride film (PVDF), heat production in the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) of the guinea pig was examined. A single electric shock applied to the preganglionic nerve evokes a temperature rise of approximately 1.5 × 10 −6 deg. The thermal responses summate when the preganglionic nerve is stimulated repetitively. The amplitude of the thermal response is increased when the preparation is treated with a high Ca 2+ medium. Treatment with agents that block ganglionic transmission (high Mg 2+ , d‐tubocurarine, hexamethonium, TTX) reversibly suppresses thermal response. It is thus concluded that the thermal responses described in this paper are generated by the physio‐chemical events underlying postsynaptic electrogenesis in the SCG cells.