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Author(s) -
Lai, SK,
Yung, WH,
Wong, TP,
Shum, DKY,
Chan, YS
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05436.x
Subject(s) - citation , library science , neurochemistry , psychology , computer science , neuroscience , neurology
To investigate the role of ionotropic glutamate receptors
(AMPAR and NMDAR) in the development of central
vestibular neurons, whole-cell patch-clamp experiments were
performed in spinal vestibular neurons of postnatal (P1 16)
Sprague Dawley rats. The profiles of AMPAR- and NMDARmediated
EPSCs evoked by electrical stimulation of the
ipsilateral vestibular nerve were also studied. From P1 to P3,
glutamatergic transmission is primarily mediated by
NMDARs. The relative contribution of AMPARs versus
NMDARs at vestibular afferent synapses increased during
the first two weeks of life. Using minimal stimulation
paradigm, we found that silent NMDAR-only synapses were
present only up to P5. From P5 to P7, there was a significant
increase in the quantal amplitude of AMPAR-mediated
eEPSCs, as confirmed with the use of extracellular strontium
instead of calcium, thereby increasing the AMPAR/NMDAR
ratio. These age-dependent increase of AMPARs towards the
end of the first postnatal week coincides with the disappearance
of NMDAR-only synapses. Taken together, our findings
provide evidence on the developmental shift in AMPAR and NMDAR of glutamatergic synapses, contributing to functional
maturation of central vestibular neurons in postnatal rats.
Acknowledgment: Supported by HKRGC.link_to_subscribed_fulltex