Summary
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1.
The effects of prostaglandins on electrical activity of neurons in the canine area postrema were studied using the techniques of extracellular recording with iontophoresis.
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2.
Excitatory responses were obtained upon application of prostaglandins A1, B1, B2, E1, F1 α, and F2 α in between 24 and 50% of the cells studied. The excitation was very similar in pattern to that observed to apomorphine, biogenic amines, and several neuropeptides in that it had a relatively long latency, low maimal frequency, and prolonged duration.
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3.
Since the area postrema is known to play a central receptive role in initiating emesis to circulating toxins, these results suggest that prostaglandins may play a role in the initiation of some forms of emesis.
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Briggs, D.B., Carpenter, D.O. Excitation of neurons in the canine area postrema by prostaglandins. Cell Mol Neurobiol 6, 421–426 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00711410
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00711410