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  • Title: The Effects of Different Concentrations of the α2-Adrenoceptor Agonist Medetomidine on Basal Excitatory Synaptic Transmission and Synaptic Plasticity in Hippocampal Slices of Adult Mice.
    Author: Ribeiro PO, Antunes LM, Nunes CS, Silva HB, Cunha RA, Tomé ÂR.
    Journal: Anesth Analg; 2015 May; 120(5):1130-1137. PubMed ID: 25658314.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: α2-Adrenoceptor agonists are used frequently in human and veterinary anesthesia as sedative/analgesic drugs. However, they can impair cognition. Little is known about the concentration-dependent effects of α2-adrenoceptor agonists on synaptic plasticity, the neurophysiological basis of learning and memory. Therefore, we investigated the effects of different concentrations of medetomidine, an α2-adrenoceptor agonist, on basal excitatory synaptic transmission and on 2 forms of synaptic plasticity: paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) and long-term potentiation (LTP). METHODS: Evoked field excitatory postsynaptic potentials were recorded in Schaffer fibers-CA1 pyramidal cell synapses of mouse hippocampal slices, and the initial field excitatory postsynaptic potentials slope was measured. For basal synaptic transmission and PPF, increasing concentrations of medetomidine (1-200 μM) were applied to each slice. For LTP experiments, individual slices were used for each tested concentration of medetomidine (0.1-0.4 μM), where LTP induction and LTP maintenance were measured. RESULTS: The lower tested concentrations of medetomidine decreased LTP in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas greater concentrations were required to decrease fiber volley amplitude and basal excitatory synaptic transmission. PPF was only affected by the greatest concentration (200 μM). CONCLUSIONS: Medetomidine decreased LTP in the mouse hippocampus, in accordance with the ability of medetomidine to induce memory deficits.
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