Plasticity in dendrites shown by continuous GABA administration in superior cervical ganglion of adult rat (original) (raw)

Nature volume 274, pages 72–74 (1978)Cite this article

Abstract

FINE structural investigations of the normal development of neurones have drawn attention to the transitory appearance of specialised postsynaptic membrane thickenings preceding the establishment of Gray type I synaptic contacts with axon terminals1–4. Non-innervated free postsynaptic membrane thickenings (f-post) occur more frequently in certain developmental stages and in certain laminae of the occipital cortex than in others5. Temporo–spatial aspects of the cortical development6–8 suggested to us that the maturation of inhibitory neurones might have an important impact on the formation of f-post. We describe here our investigations on the validity of this working hypothesis by searching for structural changes at the receptive surfaces of neurones in response to extracellularly applied _γ_-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a substance known to act in an inhibitory way on neurones9. The superior cervical ganglion (SCG) was selected as a comparatively simple neuronal system which has a uniform preganglionic input and probably no neuronal feedback to the spinal cord. We found that the dendrites of the ganglion cells responded to a prolonged infusion of GABA by the formation of non-innervated postsynaptic membrane thickenings, changes in shape and the accumulation of microvesicles.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 51 print issues and online access

$199.00 per year

only $3.90 per issue

Buy this article

USD 39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Additional access options:

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Mugnaini, E. Brain Res. 17, 169–179 (1970).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  2. Stelzner, D. J., Martin, A. H. & Scott, G. L. Z. Zellforsch. mikrosk. Anat. 138, 475–488 (1973).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  3. Westrum, L. E. J. Neurocytol. 4, 713–732 (1975).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  4. Hinds, J. W. & Hinds, P. L. J. comp. Neurol. 169, 41–61 (1976).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  5. Wolff, J. R. Architectonics of the Cerebral Cortex (eds Brazier, M. A. B. & Petsche, H.) 159–173 (Raven, New York, 1978).
    Google Scholar
  6. Rickmann, M., Chronwall, B. M. & Wolff, J. R. Anat. Embryol. 155, 285–307 (1977).
    Article Google Scholar
  7. Chronwall, B. M. & Wolff, J. R. Acta Anat. (in the press).
  8. Chronwall, B. M. & Wolff, J. R. Proc. A.S.I.-Conf. Amino Acids as Chemical Transmitters 297–303 (Plenum, New York, 1978).
    Book Google Scholar
  9. Krnjević, K. Nature 228, 119–124 (1970).
    Article ADS Google Scholar
  10. Dames, W., Joó, F. & Wolff, J. R. (in preparation).
  11. Pinching, A. J. Brain Res. 16, 277–281 (1969).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  12. Matthews, D. E., Cotman, C. & Lynch, G. Brain Res. 115, 23–41 (1976).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  13. Hámori, J., Láng, E. & Simon, L. Z. Zellforsch. mikrosk. Anat. 90, 37–52 (1968).
    Article Google Scholar
  14. Joó, F., Lever, J. D., Ivens, C., Morttram, D. R. & Presley, R. J. Anat. 110, 181–189 (1971).
    PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar
  15. Langley, J. N. J. Physiol., Lond. 23, 240–270 (1898).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  16. Ceccarelli, B., Clementi, F. & Mantegazza, P. J. Physiol., Lond. 216, 87–98 (1971).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  17. Ostberg, A. J. C., Raisman, G., Field, P. M., Iversen, L. L. & Zigmond, R. E. Brain Res. 107, 445–470 (1976).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  18. Sotelo, C. Expl Brain Res. 6, 294–305 (1968).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  19. Bertilsson, L., Suria, A. & Costa, E. Nature 260, 540–541 (1976).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  20. Wanieski, R. A. & Suria, A. Life Sci. 21, 1129–1142 (1977).
    Article Google Scholar
  21. Hámori, J. Neurobiology of Cerebellar Evolution and Developments (ed. Llinás, R.) 845–858 (American Med. Ass., Chicago, 1969).
    Google Scholar
  22. Sotelo, C. Brain Res. 62, 345–351 (1973).
    Article CAS Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. FERENC JOÓ: On leave from: Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Center, Szeged, Hungary.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Department of Neurobiology, Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Postbox, 968, Am Faβberg D-3400 Gottingen, FRG
    JOACHIM R. WOLFF, FERENC JOÓ & WENDELIN DAMES

Authors

  1. JOACHIM R. WOLFF
  2. FERENC JOÓ
  3. WENDELIN DAMES

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

WOLFF, J., JOÓ, F. & DAMES, W. Plasticity in dendrites shown by continuous GABA administration in superior cervical ganglion of adult rat.Nature 274, 72–74 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/274072a0

Download citation

This article is cited by