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Nicotinic Receptors pp 201–215Cite as

Slow Synaptic Transmission in the Central Nervous System

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Part of the book series: The Receptors ((REC,volume 26))

Abstract

New types of nicotinic connections with much slower kinetics than previously described have recently been discovered in several regions of the central nervous system (CNS). Slow nicotinic responses have been reported in the interpeduncular nucleus, hippocampus, neocortex, striatum, spinal cord, and thalamus. Studies have suggested that α4β2 containing nicotinic receptors may be the receptor subtype mediating the slow nicotinic synaptic events. These slow nicotinic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) appear to be the predominant nicotinic synaptic event in regions of the CNS (hippocampus and neocortex) that previously were thought to be dominated by α7 nicotinic receptors. Depending on the region of the CNS, slow nicotinic events may be mediated by classical synaptic transmission or volume transmission. Although the slow nicotinic EPSPs may vary subtly in kinetics and possible mechanisms of transmission, all known neuronal types that respond with slow nicotinic EPSPs are inhibitory. Thus slow nicotinic EPSPs may play an important role in controlling local and global network function through feedforward and feedback inhibition.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 980709, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA

    A. Rory McQuiston Ph.D.

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  1. A. Rory McQuiston Ph.D.
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Correspondence to A. Rory McQuiston Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurobiology SHEL 1006, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

    Robin A.J. Lester

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McQuiston, A.R. (2014). Slow Synaptic Transmission in the Central Nervous System. In: Lester, R. (eds) Nicotinic Receptors. The Receptors, vol 26. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1167-7_10

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