Effects of 4-aminopyridine on sharp wave-ripples in rat hippocampal slices

Neuroreport. 2008 Mar 5;19(4):491-6. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0b013e3282f79c61.

Abstract

Sharp wave-ripple complexes (SPW-Rs) are characterized by approximately 60 ms field potential transients superimposed by ripple oscillations of approximately 200 Hz. In chronic epileptic rodents and humans, faster ripples have been recorded showing frequencies of up to 500 Hz. In this study, we tested whether the blockade of K currents by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) contribute to the generation of high-frequency ripples, as changes in K channel expression have been observed in chronic epileptic tissue. We showed that 4-AP significantly increased the amplitudes and incidence of induced SPW-Rs without significantly changing their ripple frequency. alpha-Dendrotoxin or BDS-I did not mimick these changes suggesting that 4-AP acts via Kv1.4 channels. Thus, the incidence of SPW-Rs, but not the ripple frequency is regulated by 4-AP-sensitive potassium currents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 4-Aminopyridine / pharmacology*
  • Action Potentials / drug effects*
  • Action Potentials / physiology
  • Animals
  • Biological Clocks / drug effects
  • Biological Clocks / physiology
  • Evoked Potentials / drug effects
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology
  • Female
  • Hippocampus / drug effects*
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Kv1.4 Potassium Channel / drug effects
  • Kv1.4 Potassium Channel / metabolism
  • Male
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Organ Culture Techniques
  • Potassium / metabolism
  • Potassium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Potassium Channels / drug effects*
  • Potassium Channels / metabolism
  • Pyramidal Cells / drug effects
  • Pyramidal Cells / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Kv1.4 Potassium Channel
  • Potassium Channel Blockers
  • Potassium Channels
  • 4-Aminopyridine
  • Potassium