POTENTIATION OF N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE CURRENTS BY ISOPROTERENOL IN THEACUTELY DISSOCIATED RAT AMYGDALAR NEURONS

Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in the acutely dissociated amygdalar neurons were performed to investigate the effect of isoproterenol (Is o) on NMDA currents. Bath application of Iso selectively enhanced the NMDA currents without affecting the AMPA currents. Iso potentiated the NMDA currents to the same extent at various holding potentials and th e reversal potential for the NMDA response was not altered. These resu lts suggest that adrenergic innvervations in this area may play an imp ortant role in synaptic plasticity.