GABA-induced responses in electrophysiologically characterized neurons within the rat rostro-ventrolateral medulla in vitro

Rostro-ventrolateral medulla (RVL) neurons were recorded using conventional intracellular recording techniques in brain slices maintained in vitro at 32 degrees C and classified into 3 major groups. The first group included neurons having endogenous pacemaker-like (PL) activity with regular firing frequency (mean = 8 Hz) and a linear current-voltage relationship (I-V). The second group of neurons were slowly and irregularly firing (IF) or quiescent, presenting membrane potential oscillations and their I-V usually displayed an inward rectification. These neurons had a relatively longer action potential duration. The third group included silent neurons (S) with no apparent membrane oscillations and they differed from the first two groups by having relatively shorter action potential duration and amplitude and lower cell input resistance. When recorded with KB-filled electrodes, the majority of silent neurons displayed a time-dependent inward rectification. With KAc-filled electrodes, irregular slow hyperpolarizing and depolarizing spontaneous potentials could be recorded primarily on PL and IF neurons, respectively. Moreover, fast spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) were detected in about 15% of PL and S neurons. They generally exhibited a regular pattern and were depolarizing when KCl-filled electrodes were used for recording. The amplitude of these inhibitory PSPs was reversibly reduced by the GABA(A) antagonists bicuculline, SR 95531 and picrotoxin. With KAc-filled electrodes, pressure-applied GABA (20 mM) evoked complex responses. In PL neurons, it consisted of a fast hyperpolarization followed by a slower depolarization that were both sensitive to SR 95531 and picrotoxin. The response was terminated by a long-lasting hyperpolarization that was reduced, but not abolished, by the GABA(B) antagonist CGP 35348. In IF and S neurons, GABA application usually produced a fast followed by a slow monophasic hyperpolarization and depolarization, respectively. The fast component of these responses was sensitive to the GABA(A) antagonists. Pressure application of isoguvacine (10 mM) always induced monophasic responses in all types of neurons recorded. Baclofen (1-30 mu M) reduced the firing frequency and hyperpolarized PL and IF neurons, an effect that was antagonized by CGP 35348 (50-100 mu M); however, it had little effect on silent neurons. It is concluded that RVL neurons have heterogeneous electrophysiological characteristics. Their predominant synaptic input and GABA responsiveness might be additional criteria to identify the excitatory and inhibitory elements in the RVL circuitry. All neuronal types seem to have functional GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors; however, only a subpopulation is under tonic inhibitory control in vitro, probably from local GABAergic pacemaker interneurons. Our results further emphasize the role of GABA as an important neurotransmitter in the RVL network.