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Effect of muscarinic ligands on the electrical activity recorded from the hippocampus: a quantitative approach

British Journal of PharmacologyPublished 1 June 1984Open access
Paul Bevan
Citations14
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score2.34
SNIP1.51
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TL;DR

The results show that, in halothane anaesthetized rats, a muscarinic RSA occurs which is unrelated to movement or behavioural arousal.

Abstract

The electrical activity of the hippocampus was recorded from the CA 1 region in rats anaesthetized with halothane and the effects of compounds assessed following their intravenous injection. Quantification of the effects was achieved following on-line fast Fourier transformation of the signal. The electrical activity recorded from the hippocampus of the halothane-anaesthetized rat demonstrated identical characteristics to that recorded from the freely-moving animal. Three types of activity could be distinguished: rhythmical slow wave activity (RSA or theta); large amplitude slow wave activity (LIA); and small amplitude fast wave activity. Muscarinic agonists induced RSA with a consequent reduction in power. The effects were dose-dependent and were reversibly antagonized by scopolamine, but not methyl-scopolamine, indicating that the effects are mediated centrally by muscarinic receptors. The results show that, in halothane anaesthetized rats, a muscarinic RSA occurs which is unrelated to movement or behavioural arousal.

Keywords

NeuroscienceBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology