Effect of Pressure on the Release of Radioactive Glycine and Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid from Spinal Cord Synaptosomes

Abstract

Exposure to high hydrostatic pressure produces neurological changes referred to as the high-pressure nervous syndrome (HPNS). Manifestations of HPNS include tremor, EEG changes, and convulsions. These symptoms suggest an alteration in synaptic transmission, particularly with inhibitory neural pathways. Because spinal cord transmission has been implicated in HPNS, this study investigated inhibitory neurotransmitter function in the cord at high pressure. Guinea pig spinal cord synaptosome preparations were used to study the effect of compression to 67.7 atmospheres. This study suggest that decreased tonic inhibitory regulation at the level of the spinal cord contributes to the hyperexcitability observed in animals with compression to high pressure. Key Words: Glycine efflux-gamma-Aminobutyric acid release-High-pressure nervous syndrome-Amino acid transport-Spinal cord. Reprints.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1987
Accession Number
ADA202690

Entities

People

  • Andrew J. Dutka
  • Joel S. Colton
  • Sara C. Gilman

Organizations

  • Naval Medical Research Center

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amino Acids
  • Animals
  • Biomedical Research
  • Brain
  • Chambers
  • Chemistry
  • Data Analysis
  • High Pressure
  • Hydrostatic Pressure
  • Hyperbaric Chambers
  • Laboratory Animals
  • Navy
  • Neurochemistry
  • Neurotransmitters
  • Peripheral Nervous System
  • Rodents
  • Spinal Cord

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Neuroscience