The role of GABA in modulating the Xenopus electroretinogram

Visual Neuroscience
A Arnarsson, Thor Eysteinsson

Abstract

We have recorded the electroretinogram (ERG) from the superfused eyecup of the Xenopus retina in order to assess the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and its agonists and antagonists, on individual ERG components. We found that GABA (0.5-10 mM) reduced the amplitudes of both the b- and d-waves of the Xenopus ERG. The GABA uptake blocker nipecotic acid (1 mM) had similar effects on b- and d-waves. GABA at 5 mM and 10 mM also caused an increase in the a-wave. The GABA antagonist picrotoxin (0.1-2 mM) and the GABA/a antagonist bicuculline (0.2 mM) both increased the amplitude of the b- and d-waves of the ERG. The GABA/b agonist baclofen (0.3 mM) reduced the amplitude of the ERG b-wave, enhanced the amplitude of the a-wave, and slightly reduced the amplitude and increased the peak time of the d-wave. The GABA/b antagonists phaclofen and saclofen had no reliable effects on the Xenopus ERG. Glutamate analogs known to affect specific types of retinal neurons were applied to modify the retinal circuitry and then the effects of GABA and its antagonists were examined under these modified conditions. 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB) increased the d-wave, and blocked the b-wave and the effect ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 29, 2001·British Journal of Pharmacology·R Barrett-Jolley
Jul 2, 2004·Journal of Neurophysiology·Kwoon Y WongJohn E Dowling
Jul 21, 2001·CNS Drugs·R Kälviäinen, I Nousiainen
Apr 8, 2004·Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology = Albrecht Von Graefes Archiv Für Klinische Und Experimentelle Ophthalmologie·Renate HanitzschAndreas Flade
Jul 25, 2000·Acta Physiologica Scandinavica·A Arnarsson, T Eysteinsson
Aug 4, 2015·Journal of Natural Medicines·Fazli WahidYou Young Kim
Oct 29, 2000·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Toxicology & Pharmacology : CBP·E PopovaP Kupenova
Mar 24, 2004·Experimental Eye Research·Anna MöllerEiríkur Steingrímsson

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