Age-Dependent Changes in the Occurrence and Segregation of GABA and Acetylcholine in the Rat Superior Cervical Ganglia.

The occurrence, inhibitory modulation, and trophic effects of GABA have been identified in the peripheral sympathetic nervous system. We have demonstrated that GABA and acetylcholine (ACh) may colocalize in the same axonal varicosities or be segregated into separate ones in the rat superior cervical ganglia (SCG). Neurotransmitter segregation varies with age and the presence of neurotrophic factors.

Long-term potentiation and its neurotrophin-dependent modulation in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat are influenced by KCNQ channel function.

Ganglionic long-term potentiation (gLTP) in the rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) is differentially modulated by neurotrophic factors (Nts): brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF). KCNQ/M channels, key regulators of neuronal excitability, and firing pattern are modulated by Nts; therefore, they might contribute to gLTP expression and to the Nts-dependent modulation of gLTP. In the SCG of rats, we characterized the presence of the KCNQ2 isoform and the effects of opposite KCNQ/M channel modulators on gLTP in control condition and under Nts modulation.

Presence of Functional Neurotrophin TrkB Receptors in the Rat Superior Cervical Ganglion.

Sympathetic neurons express the neurotrophin receptors TrkA, p75NTR, and a non-functional truncated TrkB isoform (TrkB-Tc), but are not thought to express a functional full-length TrkB receptor (TrkB-Fl). We, and others, have demonstrated that nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) modulate synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity in neurons of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) of the rat. To clarify whether TrkB is expressed in sympathetic ganglia and contributes to the effects of BDNF upon sympathetic function, we characterized the presence and activity of the neurotrophin receptors expressed in the adult SCG compared with their presence in neonatal and cultured sympathetic neurons.

Segregation of Acetylcholine and GABA in the Rat Superior Cervical Ganglia: Functional Correlation.

Sympathetic neurons have the capability to segregate their neurotransmitters (NTs) and co-transmitters to separate varicosities of single axons; furthermore, in culture, these neurons can even segregate classical transmitters. In vivo sympathetic neurons employ acetylcholine (ACh) and other classical NTs such as gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). Herein, we explore whether these neurons in vivo segregate these classical NTs in the superior cervical ganglia of the rat.