Biomaterial Database

Neurones with synchronous bursting discharges in organ cultures of the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus area. 1978

B H Gähwiler, and P Sandoz, and J J Dreifuss

Explants of the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus area from newborn rats were cultured. Ultrastructural studies revealed the existence of typical neurosecretory granules in neuronal perikarya as well as in axons. Large nerve cells that were spontaneously active discharged at an average firing rate of 7.2 +/- 4.4 (S.D., n = 98) spikes/sec and 42% of these neurones displayed a phasic firing pattern as shown by the existence of peaks in their autocorrelograms. The firing of 59% of the neurones was synchronous with the activity of other nerve cells. In some neurones, only the onsets of bursts were correlated, whereas in others periods of high correlation alternated with periods of no correlation. The relative proportion of rhythmically or synchronously firing hypothalamic neurones was not altered when a neurohypophysial explant was co-cultured. Field stimulation in the cultures resulted in a short-latency excitation followed by an inhibition which was found to be bicuculline-sensitive. The existence of functional synapses was furthermore demonstrated by intracellular recordings of postsynaptic potentials.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007031	Hypothalamus	Ventral part of the DIENCEPHALON extending from the region of the OPTIC CHIASM to the caudal border of the MAMMILLARY BODIES and forming the inferior and lateral walls of the THIRD VENTRICLE.	Lamina Terminalis,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Area,Area, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Areas, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Preoptico Hypothalamic Area,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Areas
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D009924	Organ Culture Techniques	A technique for maintenance or growth of animal organs in vitro. It refers to three-dimensional cultures of undisaggregated tissue retaining some or all of the histological features of the tissue in vivo. (Freshney, Culture of Animal Cells, 3d ed, p1)	Organ Culture,Culture Technique, Organ,Culture Techniques, Organ,Organ Culture Technique,Organ Cultures
D003594	Cytoplasmic Granules	Condensed areas of cellular material that may be bounded by a membrane.	Cytoplasmic Granule,Granule, Cytoplasmic,Granules, Cytoplasmic
D000200	Action Potentials	Abrupt changes in the membrane potential that sweep along the CELL MEMBRANE of excitable cells in response to excitation stimuli.	Spike Potentials,Nerve Impulses,Action Potential,Impulse, Nerve,Impulses, Nerve,Nerve Impulse,Potential, Action,Potential, Spike,Potentials, Action,Potentials, Spike,Spike Potential
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013495	Supraoptic Nucleus	Hypothalamic nucleus overlying the beginning of the OPTIC TRACT.	Accessory Supraoptic Group,Nucleus Supraopticus,Supraoptic Nucleus of Hypothalamus,Accessory Supraoptic Groups,Group, Accessory Supraoptic,Groups, Accessory Supraoptic,Hypothalamus Supraoptic Nucleus,Nucleus, Supraoptic,Supraoptic Group, Accessory,Supraoptic Groups, Accessory,Supraopticus, Nucleus
D051381	Rats	The common name for the genus Rattus.	Rattus,Rats, Laboratory,Rats, Norway,Rattus norvegicus,Laboratory Rat,Laboratory Rats,Norway Rat,Norway Rats,Rat,Rat, Laboratory,Rat, Norway,norvegicus, Rattus