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Effect of noradrenalin and serotonin on synaptic transmission in the rat spinal cord

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Abstract

Experiments on superfused isolated spinal cord preparations from rats aged 8–13 days showed that noradrenal in and serotonin have only a weak effect on monosynaptic reflex discharges but a substantial effect on polysynaptic motoneuronal discharges: noradrenalin potentiates whereas serotonin inhibits them. Both amines inhibit dorsal root potentials evoked by stimulation of high-threshold afferents. Potentiation of polysynaptic motoneuronal discharges induced by noradrenalin is connected with hyperpolarization of high-threshold afferents due to inhibition of the function of neurons in the substantia gelatinosa, and with increased excitability of interneurons participating in the generation of motoneuronal discharges. Serotonin inhibits polysynaptic motoneuronal discharges through its direct depolarizing effect on terminals of high-threshold afferents and depression of interneuron activity responsible for these discharges. Adrenergic and serotonin receptors, mediating these effects of noradrenalin and serotonin, were subjected to pharmacologic analysis.

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Authors
  1. I. I. Abramets
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  2. I. V. Komissarov
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Additional information

A. M. Gor'kii Donetsk Medical Institute. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 241–247, May–June, 1982.

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Abramets, I.I., Komissarov, I.V. Effect of noradrenalin and serotonin on synaptic transmission in the rat spinal cord. Neurophysiology 14, 175–180 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01065119

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01065119

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