Presynaptic GABAB receptors reduce transmission at parabrachial synapses in the lateral central amygdala by inhibiting N-type calcium channels

A. J. Delaney, J. W. Crane

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8 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

The nocioceptive information carried by neurons of the pontine parabrachial nucleus to neurons of the lateral division of the central amydala (CeA-L) is thought to contribute to the affective componentsof pain and is required for the formation of conditioned-fear memories. Importantly, excitatory transmission between parabrachial axon terminals and CeA-L neurons can be inhibited by a number ofpresynaptic receptors linked to Gi/o-type G-proteins, including ơ-adrenoceptors and GABAB receptors. While the intracellular signalling pathway responsible for ơ-adrenoceptor inhibition of synaptictransmission at this synapse is known, the mechanism by which GABAB receptors inhibits transmission has not been determined. The present study demonstrates that activation of presynaptic GABAB receptors reduces excitatory transmission between parabrachial axon terminals and CeA-L neurons by inhibiting N-type calcium channels. While the involvement of GƢƣ subunits in mediating the inhibitory effects of GABAB receptors on N-type calcium channels is unclear, this inhibition does not involve GƢƣ-independent activation of pp60C-src tyrosine kinase. The results of this study further enhance our understanding of the modulation of the excitatory input from parabrachial axon terminals to CeA-L neurons and indicate that presynaptic GABAB receptors at this synapse could be valuable therapeutic targets for the treatment of fear- and pain-related disorders.
Original languageEnglish
Article number19255
Pages (from-to)1-6
Number of pages6
JournalScientific Reports
Volume6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

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