Search results for "hippocampal neuron"

Progressive effect of beta amyloid peptides accumulation on CA1 pyramidal neurons: a model study suggesting possible treatments

2012

Several independent studies show that accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides, one of the characteristic hallmark of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), can affect normal neuronal activity in different ways. However, in spite of intense experimental work to explain the possible underlying mechanisms of action, a comprehensive and congruent understanding is still lacking. Part of the problem might be the opposite ways in which Aβ have been experimentally found to affect the normal activity of a neuron; for example, making a neuron more excitable (by reducing the A- or DR-type K(+) currents) or less excitable (by reducing synaptic transmission and Na(+) current). The overall picture is therefore confus…

Role of endocannabinoids and TRPV1 channels in the bioelectric activity of hippocampal neurons

It has been reported that endocannabinoid system is an important player in the regulation of neuronal bioelectrical activity, relying on receptor-mediated mechanisms. Amongst these, Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1r) and Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) are both modulated by endocannabinoids, involved in the transduction of stimuli in the pre-synaptic neuron and prompt downstream pathways in the post-synaptic neuron. To investigate the role of CB1r/TRPV1 interplay, we applied whole-cell patch clamp technique to visualize the eventual variations in terms of membrane current and action potentials induced by pharmacological manipulation in rat hippocampal neurons. We modul…