Abstract
This review deals with the mechanisms responsible for fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the hypothalamus. We present data supporting the hypothesis that glutamate, or a closely related amino acid, is the primary transmitter responsible for fast excitatory input to hypothalamic neurons, including neuroendocrine cells. The key result to support this hypothesis is that excitatory amino acid (EAA) antagonists consistently block both evoked and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in the supraoptic, paraventricular and suprachiasmatic nuclei. Recent data obtained with selective EAA antagonists suggest that non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor mediate fast synaptic transmission in these hypothalamic nuclei. Further research is required to test this hypothesis for other cell types in the mammalian hypothalamus.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 13-20 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Biomedical Research |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | SUPPL. 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 1989 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology