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Actions of the sodium channel inhibitor 202W92 on rat midbrain dopaminergic neurons
Author(s) -
Caputi Luigi,
Hainsworth Atticus,
Guatteo Ezia,
Tozzi Alessandro,
Stefani Alessandro,
Spadoni Francesca,
Leach Michael,
Bernardi Giorgio,
Mercuri Nicola B.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
synapse
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.809
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1098-2396
pISSN - 0887-4476
DOI - 10.1002/syn.10195
Subject(s) - excitatory postsynaptic potential , chemistry , riluzole , sodium channel , pharmacology , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , postsynaptic potential , dopaminergic , glutamatergic , glutamate receptor , neuroscience , dopamine , sodium , biochemistry , biology , receptor , organic chemistry
Excessive glutamatergic activity is implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD) and sodium channel blockade, resulting in inhibition of glutamate release, is a potential therapeutic approach to PD therapy. Beneficial effects of riluzole and lamotrigine have been reported in animal models of PD, but these compounds have relatively low potency as sodium channel inhibitors and also inhibit N and P/Q‐type calcium channels. 202W92, a structural analog of lamotrigine, is a potent sodium channel inhibitor, with no effect on N, P/Q‐type channels. Here we present the effects of 202W92 on single patch‐clamped dopaminergic neurons. 202W92 (≥10 μM) inhibited spontaneous action potential firing and reduced amplitude and frequency of evoked action potentials. It also inhibited the frequency of 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP)‐ and electrically evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) and GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs), with >80% inhibition at 10 μM (IC 50 1.5 μM). EPSC and IPSC amplitudes were partially inhibited. 202W92 did not affect postsynaptic responses to locally applied glutamate and GABA, nor spontaneously occurring mini‐IPSCs. These actions of 202W92 are compatible with sodium channel inhibition and depression of transmitter release. Synapse 48:123–130, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.