N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE RECEPTORS CONTRIBUTE TO AFFERENT SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION IN THE MEDIAL VESTIBULAR NUCLEUS OF YOUNG-RATS

In the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN), the non-N-methyl-D-aspartate ( NMDA) subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors has been reported as o perating at synapses between ipsilateral vestibular afferents and neur ons. In the present study, we addressed the question of whether or not NMDA receptors contribute to afferent synaptic transmission in the MV N and if so, to what degree. Using nystatin-perforated or conventional whole-cell patch clamp methods in brainstem slices of young rats (pos tnatal day 4-6), we found that NMDA receptors contribute to a substant ial extent to afferent synaptic transmission in the MVN of young rats.