BDNF AND NT-4 5 ENHANCE GLUTAMATERGIC SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION IN CULTURED HIPPOCAMPAL-NEURONS/

THE effects of BDNF and NT-4/5 on AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic tran smission were investigated with the patch clamp technique applied to e mbryonic and postnatal rat hippocampal neurones, cultured in serum-fre e medium. Spatially restricted application of neurotrophin-containing solution on to the recorded cells was performed and evoked as well as miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mepscs) were monitored. In approximately 25% of neurones tested a transient augmentation of evok ed synaptic currents and a transient increase in the frequency of meps cs occurred with a delay of 0.5-5 min after the onset of BDNF or NT-4/ 5 application. The amplitudes of the AMPA receptor mediated mepscs wer e unaffected, suggesting a presynaptic action of BDNF and NT-4/5.