Premium
Gabapentin inhibits excitatory synaptic transmission in the hyperalgesic spinal cord
Author(s) -
Patel Manoj K,
Gonzalez M Isabel,
Bramwell Steven,
Pinnock Robert D,
Lee Kevin
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1038/sj.bjp.0703530
Subject(s) - excitatory postsynaptic potential , gabapentin , neurotransmission , spinal cord , postsynaptic potential , postsynaptic current , neuropathic pain , neuroscience , chemistry , electrophysiology , nociception , medicine , anesthesia , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , pharmacology , biology , pathology , alternative medicine , receptor
In the present study we tested the effects of the antihyperalgesic compound gabapentin on dorsal horn neurones in adult spinal cord. Slices were taken from control and hyperalgesic animals suffering from streptozocin‐induced diabetic neuropathy. At concentrations up to 100 μ M , bath application failed to affect the resting membrane properties of dorsal horn neurones taken from both groups of animal. In contrast, bath application of gabapentin dramatically reduced the magnitude of the excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) in neurones taken from hyperalgesic animals without altering the magnitude of the EPSC in control animals. Using a paired pulse stimulation protocol, together with analysis of miniature EPSC's, it was possible to demonstrate that gabapentin mediated these effects via a pre‐synaptic site of action. British Journal of Pharmacology (2000) 130 , 1731–1734; doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0703530