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Excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the nucleus rotundus of pigeons

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2009

Hong-Feng Gao ,
Gang-Yi Wu ,
Barrie J. Frost  and
Shu-Rong Wang
Hong-Feng Gao
Affiliation:
Institute of Biophysics, Academia Sinica, Beijing 100101, China
Gang-Yi Wu
Affiliation:
Institute of Biophysics, Academia Sinica, Beijing 100101, China
Barrie J. Frost
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, CanadaK7L 3N6
Shu-Rong Wang
Affiliation:
Institute of Biophysics, Academia Sinica, Beijing 100101, China
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Abstract

Rotundal neurons in pigeons (Columba livia) were examined for the effects of glutamate and its agonists NMDA and AMPA, antagonists CPP and CNQX, as well as of GABA and its antagonist bicuculline, on visual and tectal stimulation-evoked responses. Glutamate applied by iontophoresis excited all 48 rotundal cells tested, and this excitation was blocked by CNQX but not by CPP in 98% of cases, with 2% of cells being blocked by either CNQX or CPP. Out of 21 cells excited by AMPA, 20 were also excited by NMDA, indicating that AMPA and NMDA receptors may coexist in most rotundal cells. Action potentials were evoked in 36 additional cells by electrical stimulation applied to the tectum and they were also blocked by CNQX but not CPP. Visual responses recorded from a further eight luminance units and 21 motion-sensitive units were also blocked by CNQX and not CPP. On the other hand, GABA inhibited visual responses as well as responses evoked by tectal stimulation. An inhibitory period following tectal stimulation was eliminated by bicuculline. Taken together, these results indicate that glutamate may be an excitatory transmitter acting predominantly through non-NMDA receptors (AMPA receptors) in tectorotundal transmission. Meanwhile, GABA may be an inhibitory transmitter in the pigeon nucleus rotundus.

Keywords

Neurotransmitter, Receptor, Microiontophoresis, Nucleus rotundus, Pigeon
Type
Research Articles
Information
Visual Neuroscience , Volume 12 , Issue 5 , September 1995 , pp. 819 - 825
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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