Abstract
There are two types of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in the cerebral cortex. Fast inhibition is mediated by ionotropic gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)) receptors, and slow inhibition is due to metabotropic GABA(B) receptors. Several neuron classes elicit inhibitory postsynaptic potentials through GABA(A) receptors, but possible distinct sources of slow inhibition remain unknown. We identified a class of GABAergic interneurons, the neurogliaform cells, that, in contrast to other GABA-releasing cells, elicited combined GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptor-mediated responses with single action potentials and that predominantly targeted the dendritic spines of pyramidal neurons. Slow inhibition evoked by a distinct interneuron in spatially restricted postsynaptic compartments could locally and selectively modulate cortical excitability.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Action Potentials
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Animals
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Bicuculline / pharmacology
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Dendrites / physiology
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Evoked Potentials
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GABA Antagonists / pharmacology
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GABA-A Receptor Antagonists
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GABA-B Receptor Antagonists
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Interneurons / physiology*
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Interneurons / ultrastructure
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Neocortex / cytology
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Neocortex / physiology*
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Neural Inhibition*
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Organophosphorus Compounds / pharmacology
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Patch-Clamp Techniques
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Pyramidal Cells / physiology*
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Pyridazines / pharmacology
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Rats
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Rats, Wistar
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Receptors, GABA-A / physiology
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Receptors, GABA-B / physiology
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Somatosensory Cortex / cytology
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Somatosensory Cortex / physiology*
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Synapses / physiology
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Synapses / ultrastructure
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Synaptic Transmission*
Substances
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GABA Antagonists
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GABA-A Receptor Antagonists
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GABA-B Receptor Antagonists
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Organophosphorus Compounds
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Pyridazines
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Receptors, GABA-A
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Receptors, GABA-B
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CGP 35348
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gabazine
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Bicuculline