OFF pathway is preferentially suppressed by the activation of GABA(A) receptors in carp retina

Brain Res. 1997 Jun 6;759(1):160-2. doi: 10.1016/s0006-8993(97)00340-5.

Abstract

This study examines the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the ON and OFF pathways in isolated, superfused carp retina. In most (76%) of amacrine cells bath-applied GABA preferentially suppressed the OFF response. The effect of GABA was blocked by bicuculline. Baclofen did not cause a similar effect. Furthermore, GABA produced a substantial suppression of the OFF bipolar cell response. We conclude that the preferential suppression of the OFF pathway may be due to a presynaptic inhibition mediated via GABA(A) receptors at the terminals of OFF bipolar cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Baclofen / pharmacology
  • Bicuculline / pharmacology
  • Carps / physiology*
  • GABA Agonists / pharmacology
  • GABA Antagonists / pharmacology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Neural Inhibition*
  • Neural Pathways / drug effects
  • Neural Pathways / physiology
  • Receptors, GABA-A / physiology*
  • Retina / cytology
  • Retina / drug effects
  • Retina / physiology*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / pharmacology

Substances

  • GABA Agonists
  • GABA Antagonists
  • Receptors, GABA-A
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Baclofen
  • Bicuculline