Methyl-laudanosine: A new pharmacological tool to investigate the function of small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels

in Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (The) (2002), 302(3), 1176-1183

Small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (SK channels) underlie the prolonged postspike afterhyperpolarization (AHP) observed in many central neurons and play an important role in modulating ... [more ▼]

Small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (SK channels) underlie the prolonged postspike afterhyperpolarization (AHP) observed in many central neurons and play an important role in modulating neuronal activity. However, a lack of specific and reversible blockers of these channels hampers their study in various experimental conditions. Because previous work has shown that bicuculline salts block these channels, we examined whether related alkaloids, namely laudanosine quaternary derivatives, would produce similar effects. Intracellular recordings were performed on rat midbrain dopaminergic neurons and hippocampus CA1 pyramidal cells. Binding experiments were performed on rat cerebral cortex membranes. Laudanosine, methyl-laudanosine, and ethyl-laudanosine blocked the apamin-sensitive AHP of dopaminergic neurons with mean IC(50) values of 152, 15, and 47 microM, respectively. The benzyl and butyl derivatives were less potent. Methyl-laudanosine had no effect on the I(h) current, action potential parameters, or membrane resistance of dopaminergic cells, or on the decrease in input resistance induced by muscimol, indicating a lack of antagonism at GABA(A) receptors. Interestingly, 100 microM methyl-laudanosine induced a significant increase in spiking frequency of dopaminergic neurons but not of CA1 pyramidal cells, suggesting the possibility of regional selectivity. Binding experiments on laudanosine derivatives were in good agreement with electrophysiological data. Moreover, methyl-laudanosine has no affinity for voltage-gated potassium channels, and its affinity for SK channels (IC(50) 4 microM) is superior to its affinity for muscarinic (IC(50) 114 microM) and neuronal nicotinic (IC(50) > or =367 microM) receptors. Methyl-laudanosine may be a valuable pharmacological tool to investigate the role of SK channels in various experimental models. [less ▲]

Progres recents dans la pharmacologie des hypnotiques et anxiolytiques

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2001), 56(3), 159-64

Recent studies on the respective contribution of GABAA receptor subunits in the various pharmacological effects of benzodiazepines suggest that the sedative and amnesic properties of diazepam are mediated ... [more ▼]

Recent studies on the respective contribution of GABAA receptor subunits in the various pharmacological effects of benzodiazepines suggest that the sedative and amnesic properties of diazepam are mediated by enhancement of gabaergic transmission in neurons expressing the alpha 1 subunit while the anxiolytic effect is selectively mediated by alpha 2 subunit. These findings suggest that a separation of the pharmacological properties of benzodiazepines is possible and that drugs with increased clinical specificity could be developed. [less ▲]

Methodological issues in a cost of dementia study in Belgium (the National Dementia Economic Study)

in Acta Neurologica Belgica (1999), 99

Spontaneous Apamin-Sensitive Hyperpolarizations in Dopaminergic Neurons of Neonatal Rats

in Journal of Neurophysiology (1998), 80(6), 3361-4

Spontaneous apamin-sensitive hyperpolarizations in dopaminergic neurons of neonatal rats. J. Neurophysiol. 80: 3361-3364, 1998. Intracellular recordings from substantia nigra slices revealed the existence ... [more ▼]

Spontaneous apamin-sensitive hyperpolarizations in dopaminergic neurons of neonatal rats. J. Neurophysiol. 80: 3361-3364, 1998. Intracellular recordings from substantia nigra slices revealed the existence of spontaneous hyperpolarizations (amplitude 2-8 mV, duration 100-400 ms) at -60 mV in most dopaminergic neurons of neonatal (9-15 days) but not adult rats. These events were blocked by apamin (300 nM) and bicuculline methochloride (100-300 microM), which blocks apamin-sensitive currents. They were unaffected by the selective gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) antagonists SR95531 (100 microM) and picrotoxin (30-50 microM), the GABAB antagonist CGP35348 (300 microM), the D2 antagonist haloperidol (1 microM), and the metabotropic antagonist MCPG (1 mM). The hyperpolarizations were strongly attenuated or abolished when recording electrodes contained 200 mM 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. They were resistant to tetrodotoxin in the majority of the cells. They had some voltage dependency and were in some cases transiently potentiated when cells were briefly depolarized by current injection. We conclude that dopaminergic neurons have developmentally regulated physiological properties. These spontaneous hyperpolarizations might affect the firing rate of these cells, which was found to be lower in neonates than in adults. [less ▲]

Effect of potassium channel openers on the firing rate of hippocampal pyramidal cells and A10 dopaminergic neurons in vitro

in Archives of Physiology & Biochemistry (1997), 105

Dibenzoazepine analogues : the electrophysiological properties of JL3, a potential atypical antidepressant

in European Journal of Pharmacology (1996), 310

Comparative effect of various potassium channel openers on the firing rate of hippocampal and dopaminergic neurons in vitro

in Pflügers Archiv : European Journal of Physiology (1995), 430

Apport de l'électrophysiologie à l'étude de la tianeptine et d'autres antidépresseurs

in Presse Médicale (La) (1991), 37

Electrophysiological effects of ethanol on monoaminergic neurons: an in vivo and in vitro study.

in Alcoholism, Clinical & Experimental Research (1990), 14(5), 728-35

Monoaminergic neurons have been shown to play a role in both the intoxicating and chronic effects of ethanol. We present here the results of a study about the acute effects of ethanol on serotonergic ... [more ▼]

Monoaminergic neurons have been shown to play a role in both the intoxicating and chronic effects of ethanol. We present here the results of a study about the acute effects of ethanol on serotonergic raphe nucleus, noradrenergic locus coeruleus, and dopaminergic ventral tegmental area. These nuclei were investigated electrophysiologically by recording the spontaneous firing rate of single neurons using glass microelectrodes, both in vivo in chloral hydrate anesthetized rats and in vitro in brain slices. Ethanol was perfused intravenously at a rate ranging from 0.2 mg/kg/min to 0.2 g/kg/min in vivo, and at concentrations between 10(-8) M and 1 M in vitro. We observed that each monoaminergic nucleus had its own pattern of responses to acute ethanol perfusion, and that high and low concentrations have different actions, suggesting a biphasic effect. For example, in slices, ethanol concentrations higher than 10 mM induce an excitation in most raphe and ventral tegmental area neurons, and an inhibition of firing in locus coeruleus neurons. The results were comparable in the in vivo model, but much more heterogenous. We conclude that the effect of ethanol on the monoaminergic neurons is specific of the type of neuron, and that a biphasic effect is commonly found. [less ▲]

Action of Rilmenidine on Locus Ceruleus and Dorsal Raphe Cells in Vivo and in Vitro

in American Journal of Cardiology (1988), 61(7), 32-34

The effect of rilmenidine (S 3341) and clonidine on the firing rate of locus ceruleus (LC) and dorsal raphe (DR) cells was studied in vivo after systemic and microiontophoretic administration. The effect ... [more ▼]

The effect of rilmenidine (S 3341) and clonidine on the firing rate of locus ceruleus (LC) and dorsal raphe (DR) cells was studied in vivo after systemic and microiontophoretic administration. The effect of the 2 drugs was also studied in vitro on brain slices containing LC cells. Rilmenidine and clonidine inhibited the firing of LC and DR neurons. Complementary experiments performed with yohimbine and prazosin demonstrated that the effect of LC is related to an agonistic action on alpha 2 somatodendritic receptors, whereas the effect observed on DR cells is indirect. On LC cells, clonidine is 30 to 60 times as potent as rilmenidine. These observations may be related to less sedative effects of rilmenidine than of clonidine. [less ▲]