Novel neurosteroid hypnotic blocks T-type calcium channel-dependent rebound burst firing and suppresses long-term potentiation in the rat subiculum.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hypnotics and general anaesthetics impair memory by altering hippocampal synaptic plasticity. We recently reported on a neurosteroid analogue with potent hypnotic activity [(3β,5β,17β)-3-hydroxyandrostane-17-carbonitrile; 3β-OH], which does not cause developmental neurotoxicity in rat pups. Here, we investigated the effects of 3β-OH on neuronal excitability in the subiculum, the major output structure of the hippocampal formation, and synaptic plasticity at two key hippocampal synapses in juvenile rats.

Methods

Biophysical properties of isolated T-type calcium currents (T-currents) in the rat subiculum were investigated using acute slice preparations. Subicular T-type calcium channel (T-channel) subtype mRNA expression was compared using qRT-PCR. Using electrophys

SUBMITTER: Joksimovic SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6549045 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature