L M Grover

Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA

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Publications (15)74.21 Total impact

  • Article: Venlafaxine treatment stimulates expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein in frontal cortex and inhibits long-term potentiation in hippocampus.
    J D Cooke, L M Grover, P R Spangler
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    ABSTRACT: Antidepressant action may involve stimulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF also regulates long-term potentiation (LTP). We hypothesized that the 5-HT and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, venlafaxine, would stimulate BDNF expression and alter LTP more effectively than the selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, citalopram. To test this, we administered venlafaxine or citalopram to rats for 1 or 3 weeks; control rats received vehicle only. We measured BDNF protein in hippocampal and frontal cortex homogenates, and serum. We assessed LTP in area cornu ammonis region 1 (CA1) of in vitro hippocampal brain slices. We also examined input/output function to determine if basal synaptic transmission in area CA1 was altered. Compared to vehicle control, frontal cortex BDNF protein was significantly greater after three, but not one, weeks of venlafaxine treatment. In contrast, citalopram (1 or 3 weeks) did not stimulate BDNF. The stimulatory effect of venlafaxine treatment on BDNF was superimposed on a general time-dependent decrease in expression which was seen in both vehicle control and citalopram-treated animals. LTP was significantly impaired in slices from venlafaxine-treated rats after both 1 and 3 weeks of treatment, but LTP appeared normal in slices from citalopram-treated and vehicle control rats. The LTP impairment caused by venlafaxine treatment was independent of changes in BDNF: LTP was impaired after only 1 week of treatment, prior to any effect on BDNF, and LTP magnitude was not correlated with BDNF protein concentration. Input/output function was significantly but equally reduced after 3 weeks of citalopram, venlafaxine, or control treatment. Decreased BDNF protein in citalopram and vehicle control animals, and decreased input/output function may be consequences of individual housing of animals, which we used to ensure proper dosing. Venlafaxine stimulation of BDNF and inhibition of LTP may be related to the reported effectiveness of venlafaxine in treatment of depression.
    Neuroscience 06/2009; 162(4):1411-9. · 3.38 Impact Factor
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    Article: Fitting experimental data to models that use morphological data from public databases.
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    ABSTRACT: Ideally detailed neuron models should make use of morphological and electrophysiological data from the same cell. However, this rarely happens. Typically a modeler will choose a cell morphology from a public database, assign standard values for Ra, Cm, and other parameters and then do the modeling study. The assumption is that the model will produce results representative of what might be obtained experimentally. To test this assumption we developed models of CA1 hippocampal pyramidal neurons using 4 different morphologies obtained from 3 public databases. The multiple run fitter in NEURON was used to fit parameter values in each of the 4 morphological models to match experimental data recorded from 19 CA1 pyramidal cells. Fits with fixed standard parameter values produced results that were generally not representative of our experimental data. However, when parameter values were allowed to vary, excellent fits were obtained in almost all cases, but the fitted parameter values were very different among the 4 reconstructions and did not match standard values. The differences in fitted values can be explained by very different diameters, total lengths, membrane areas and volumes among the reconstructed cells, reflecting either cell heterogeneity or issues with the reconstruction data. The fitted values compensated for these differences to make the database cells and experimental cells more similar electrotonically. We conclude that models using fully reconstructed morphologies need to be calibrated with experimental data (even when morphological and electrophysiological data come from the same cell), model results should be generated with multiple reconstructions, morphological and experimental cells should come from the same strain of animal at the same age, and blind use of standard parameter values in models that use reconstruction data may not produce representative experimental results.
    Journal of Computational Neuroscience 07/2006; 20(3):349-65. · 2.51 Impact Factor
  • Article: Evidence for involvement of group II/III metabotropic glutamate receptors in NMDA receptor-independent long-term potentiation in area CA1 of rat hippocampus.
    L M Grover, C Yan
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    ABSTRACT: Previous studies implicated metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-independent long-term potentiation (LTP) in area CA1 of the rat hippocampus. To learn more about the specific roles played by mGluRs in NMDA receptor-independent LTP, we used whole cell recordings to load individual CA1 pyramidal neurons with a G-protein inhibitor [guanosine-5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate), GDPbetaS]. Although loading postsynaptic CA1 pyramidal neurons with GDPbetaS significantly reduced G-protein dependent postsynaptic potentials, GDPbetaS failed to prevent NMDA receptor- independent LTP, suggesting that postsynaptic G-protein-dependent mGluRs are not required. We also performed a series of extracellular field potential experiments in which we applied group-selective mGluR antagonists. We had previously determined that paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) was decreased during the first 30-45 min of NMDA receptor-independent LTP. To determine if mGluRs might be involved in these PPF changes, we used a twin-pulse stimulation protocol to measure PPF in field potential experiments. NMDA receptor-independent LTP was prevented by a group II mGluR antagonist [(2S)-alpha-ethylglutamic acid] and a group III mGluR antagonist [(RS)-alpha-cyclopropyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine], but was not prevented by other group II and III mGluR antagonists [(RS)-alpha-methylserine-O-phosphate monophenyl ester or (RS)-alpha-methylserine-O-phosphate]. NMDA receptor-independent LTP was not prevented by either of the group I mGluR antagonists we examined, (RS)-1-aminoindan-1,5-dicarboxylic acid and 7-(hydroxyimino)cyclopropa[b]chromen-1a-carboxylate ethyl ester. The PPF changes which accompany NMDA receptor-independent LTP were not prevented by any of the group-selective mGluR antagonists we examined, even when the LTP itself was blocked. Finally, we found that tetanic stimulation in the presence of group III mGluR antagonists lead to nonspecific potentiation in control (nontetanized) input pathways. Taken together, our results argue against the involvement of postsynaptic group I mGluRs in NMDA receptor-independent LTP. Group II and/or group III mGluRs are required, but the specific details of the roles played by these mGluRs in NMDA receptor-independent LTP are uncertain. Based on the pattern of results we obtained, we suggest that group II mGluRs are required for induction of NMDA receptor-independent LTP, and that group III mGluRs are involved in determining the input specificity of NMDA receptor-independent LTP by suppressing potentiation of nearby, nontetanized synapses.
    Journal of Neurophysiology 01/2000; 82(6):2956-69. · 3.32 Impact Factor
  • Article: Blockade of GABAA receptors facilitates induction of NMDA receptor-independent long-term potentiation.
    L M Grover, C Yan
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    ABSTRACT: An N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-independent form of long-term potentiation (LTP), which depends on postsynaptic, voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs), has been demonstrated in area CA1 of hippocampus. GABA acting at GABAA receptors limits postsynaptic depolarization during LTP induction. Blockade of GABAA receptors should therefore enhance activation of postsynaptic VDCCs and facilitate the induction of this NMDA receptor-independent, VDCC-dependent LTP. In agreement with this hypothesis, pharmacological blockade of GABAA receptors in the in vitro rat hippocampal slice increased the magnitude of LTP resulting from a normally effective, high-frequency (200 Hz) tetanic stimulation protocol. In addition, GABAA receptor blockade allowed a lower frequency (25 Hz) and normally ineffective tetanic stimulation protocol to induce this form of LTP. Intracellular recordings from CA1 pyramidal cells revealed that blocking GABAA receptors during tetanic stimulation allowed greater postsynaptic depolarization, increased the number of postsynaptic action potentials fired during the tetanization, and also increased the duration of synaptically evoked action potentials. To mimic the increased action potential firing observed when GABAA receptors were blocked, we paired 25-Hz antidromic stimulation with 25-Hz orthodromic stimulation. Paired antidromic + orthodromic 25-Hz stimulation induced NMDA receptor-independent LTP, whereas neither antidromic nor orthodromic stimulation alone induced LTP. Increased action potential firing can therefore at least partially account for the facilitation of NMDA receptor-independent LTP caused by blockade of GABAA receptors. This conclusion is consistent with prior studies demonstrating that action potentials are particularly effective stimuli for the gating of VDCCs in CA1 pyramidal cell dendrites.
    Journal of Neurophysiology 07/1999; 81(6):2814-22. · 3.32 Impact Factor
  • Article: The modulation of excitatory synaptic transmission by adenosine in area CA1 of the rat hippocampus is temperature dependent.
    L M Grover, C Yan
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    ABSTRACT: We tested the possibility that extracellular adenosine concentration varies with tissue temperature by measuring the tonic adenosinergic inhibition of excitatory synaptic transmission at different temperatures in the in vitro rat hippocampus. Application of the A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) enhanced population excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) by antagonizing tonic adenosinergic inhibition; this effect was greatest at 25 degrees C, and was progressively reduced at 35 and 37.5 degrees C. These results demonstrate that tonic adenosinergic inhibition is inversely related to temperature. In a second experiment, an exogenous A1 agonist, N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA), was applied to slices to inhibit evoked EPSPs. CHA inhibition of EPSPs was greater at 35 than at 25 degrees C, demonstrating that the reduced adenosinergic inhibition at higher temperatures is not a result of reduced A1 receptor function.
    Neuroscience Letters 04/1999; 263(2-3):77-80. · 2.11 Impact Factor
  • Article: Evidence for postsynaptic induction and expression of NMDA receptor independent LTP.
    L M Grover
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    ABSTRACT: Whole cell/patch-clamp and extracellular field potential recordings were used to study the induction and expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor independent long-term potentiation (LTP) in area CA1 of the in vitro rat hippocampus. Induction of NMDA receptor independent LTP was prevented by manipulations that inhibited postsynaptic depolarization during tetanic stimulation: direct hyperpolarization of postsynaptic neurons and bath application of an alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) and kainate receptor antagonist. NMDA receptor independent LTP also was blocked by intracellular application of the lidocaine derivative, N-(2,6-dimethylphenylcarbamoylmethyl)triethylammonium bromide (QX-314), to CA1 pyramidal neurons. These results complement the previous findings that NMDA receptor independent LTP was inhibited by postsynaptic injections of the calcium chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid and also was inhibited by a L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel antagonist (nifedipine). Collectively, these data make a strong case for the postsynaptic induction of this form of LTP. This paper also provides evidence for postsynaptic expression of NMDA receptor independent LTP. In an experiment where AMPA- and NMDA-receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) were isolated pharmacologically, LTP was found for only the AMPA-receptor-mediated EPSPs. In a separate experiment, paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) was measured during NMDA receptor independent LTP. Although there was an initial decrease in PPF, suggesting a posttetanic increase in the probability of glutamate release, the change in PPF decayed within 30-40 min of the tetanic stimulation, whereas the magnitude of the LTP was constant over this same time period. In addition, the LTP, but not the corresponding change in PPF, was blocked by the metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist (+/-)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine. These results are accounted for most easily by a selective increase in postsynaptic AMPA receptor function, but one type of presynaptic modification-an increase in the number of release sites without an overall change in the probability of release-also could account for these results (assuming that the level of glutamate release before LTP induction fully saturated NMDA, but not AMPA, receptors). One possible presynaptic modification, an increase in axon excitability, was ruled out by analysis of the presynaptic fiber volley, which was not increased at any time after LTP induction.
    Journal of Neurophysiology 04/1998; 79(3):1167-82. · 3.32 Impact Factor
  • Article: Metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist, (R,S)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenyglycine, blocks two distinct forms of long-term potentiation in area CA1 of rat hippocampus.
    Z Little, L M Grover, T J Teyler
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    ABSTRACT: The necessity of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) has recently been questioned. We examined the effect of (R,S)-alpha-methyl-4-caboxyphenylglycine (MCPG), a selective mGluR antagonist, on two independent forms of LTP. One form induced by a 25 Hz/1 s tetanus is solely N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent. The other form induced by four 200 Hz/0.5 s bursts in the presence of APV is NMDA receptor-independent. In both paradigms the presence of MCPG prevented the induction of LTP by afferent activation.
    Neuroscience Letters 01/1996; 201(1):73-6. · 2.11 Impact Factor
  • Article: Different mechanisms may be required for maintenance of NMDA receptor-dependent and independent forms of long-term potentiation.
    L M Grover, T J Teyler
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    ABSTRACT: In hippocampal area CA1, long-term potentiation (LTP) is induced by tetanic stimulation protocols that activate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. In addition, some stimulation protocols can induce LTP during NMDA receptor blockade. An initial signal in both NMDA receptor-dependent and independent LTPs is increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration in postsynaptic neurons. It therefore seems possible that subsequent steps leading to expression and maintenance of potentiation are shared whether or not LTP is induced through NMDA receptor activation. We tested this hypothesis by applying a broad spectrum protein kinase inhibitor, previously shown to inhibit NMDA receptor-dependent LTP. In agreement with earlier reports, we found that H-7 inhibited NMDA receptor-dependent LTP when applied either during tetanic stimulation, or beginning 30 min following tetanic stimulation. In contrast, NMDA receptor-independent LTP was not inhibited by H-7 applied during or following tetanic stimulation. We also tested for mutual occlusion between NMDA receptor-dependent and independent LTPs. Although induction of NMDA receptor-independent LTP did not occlude later induction of NMDA receptor-dependent LTP, induction of NMDA receptor-dependent LTP did occlude NMDA receptor-independent LTP. While the kinase inhibitor experiment showed a clear difference between NMDA receptor-dependent and independent LTPs, the occlusion experiments suggest an interaction between the signalling pathways for the two LTPs.
    Synapse 03/1995; 19(2):121-33. · 2.94 Impact Factor
  • Article: Presynaptic mechanism for heterosynaptic, posttetanic depression in area CA1 of rat hippocampus.
    L M Grover, T J Teyler
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    ABSTRACT: Conditioning stimulation applied to afferent fibers in stratum radiatum or stratum oriens of hippocampal area CA1 produced heterosynaptic, posttetanic depression (PTD) of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs). PTD amounted to a 60-80% reduction of EPSPs and recovered over a 5 min period. Conditioning stimulation also induced a posttetanic hyperpolarization (PTH) averaging 4 mV and decaying over a 1-1.5 min period. PTH was accompanied by a large reduction in input resistance. We sought to determine the pre- or postsynaptic locus of heterosynaptic PTD. Our results suggest that PTD reflects a presynaptic mechanism: (1) PTD was observed for both N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptor mediated EPSPs; (2) Direct depolarization of pyramidal cells, substituted for the synaptic depolarization induced by conditioning stimulation, did not elicit PTD; (3) PTD and PTH were differentially affected by pharmacological and postsynaptic manipulations; (4) Conditioning stimulation depressed responses to pressure applied glutamate, but the magnitude and duration were too small to account for PTD. Since afferent fiber volleys were not depressed following conditioning stimulation, while field EPSPs were, we conclude that conditioning stimulation suppresses synaptic release of glutamate.
    Synapse 11/1993; 15(2):149-57. · 2.94 Impact Factor
  • Article: Role of HCO3- ions in depolarizing GABAA receptor-mediated responses in pyramidal cells of rat hippocampus.
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    ABSTRACT: 1. Activation of GABAA receptors can produce both hyperpolarizing and depolarizing responses in CA1 pyramidal cells. The hyperpolarizing response is mediated by a Cl- conductance, but the ionic basis of the depolarizing response is not clear. We compared the GABAA receptor-mediated depolarizations induced by synaptically released gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA; depolarizing inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (dIPSPs)] with those produced by exogenous GABA (depolarizing GABA responses). Short trains of high-frequency (200 Hz) stimuli were used to generate dIPSPs. We found that dIPSPs generated by trains of stimuli and depolarizing responses to exogenous GABA were accompanied by a conductance increase and had a similar reversal potential, indicating a similar ionic basis for both responses. 2. We wished to determine whether an HCO3- current contributed to the GABAA-mediated depolarizations. We found that dIPSPs and depolarizing GABA responses were sensitive to perfusion with HCO3(-)-free medium. Interpretation of these data was complicated by the mixed nature of the responses: dIPSPs were invariably accompanied by conventional, Cl(-)-mediated fast hyperpolarizing IPSPs (fIPSPs), and response to exogenous GABA usually consisted of biphasic hyperpolarizing and depolarizing responses. However, it was sometimes possible to elicit responses to GABA that appeared purely depolarizing (monophasic depolarizing GABA responses). 3. We analyzed monophasic depolarizing GABA responses and found no change in reversal potential when slices were perfused with HCO(3-)-free medium. We also made whole-cell recordings from CA1 pyramidal cells, attempting to reduce [HCO3-]i, and compared the reversal potential for monophasic depolarizing GABA responses with similar responses recorded with fine intracellular microelectrodes. We found no difference in reversal potential. We also examined effects of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide (ACTZ) on depolarizing GABA responses. ACTZ reduced these responses but did not change their reversal potential. 4. Effects of HCO(3-)-free medium were not specific to GABAA receptor-mediated responses. GABAB receptor-mediated slow IPSPs (sIPSPs) were also reduced, as were excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs). Analyses of field potentials and spontaneous fIPSPs suggested a decrease in presynaptic excitability during perfusion with HCO(3-)-free medium. In addition, pyramidal cells showed decreased input resistance when perfused with HCO(3-)-free medium. 5. The sensitivity of GABAA receptor-mediated depolarizations to HCO(3-)-free medium can be explained by a decrease in presynaptic excitability and an increased resting conductance in postsynaptic neurons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
    Journal of Neurophysiology 06/1993; 69(5):1541-55. · 3.32 Impact Factor
  • Article: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-independent long-term potentiation in area CA1 of rat hippocampus: input-specific induction and preclusion in a non-tetanized pathway.
    L M Grover, T J Teyler
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    ABSTRACT: We previously reported that an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-independent component of long-term potentiation with an apparent delayed onset can be induced in area CA1 of the hippocampus. Here we show that some but not all of this delay in onset can be accounted for by a transient heterosynaptic depression. We also show that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-independent long-term potentiation is induced only in the input pathway tetanized, and not in a second pathway. However, prior induction of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-independent long-term potentiation in one pathway precludes later induction in an independent pathway. Calcium entry through dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channels may be a critical step for induction of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-independent long-term potentiation in area CA1 [Grover L. M. and Teyler T.J. (1990) Nature 347, 477-479]. Since the distribution [Westenbroek R. E. et al. (1990) Nature 347, 281-284] of dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channels in CA1 neuron dendrites does not suggest a basis for input-specific induction of long-term potentiation, an additional process may confer the specificity we observed. Tetanic stimulation of afferents into area CA1 can elicit several processes: a transient heterosynaptic depression, and a transient homosynaptic potentiation, as well as N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-dependent and -independent long-term potentiation.
    Neuroscience 08/1992; 49(1):7-11. · 3.38 Impact Factor
  • Article: Hyperpolarizing and depolarizing GABAA receptor-mediated dendritic inhibition in area CA1 of the rat hippocampus.
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    ABSTRACT: 1. gamma-Aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor-mediated inhibition of pyramidal neuron dendrites was studied in area CA1 of the rat hippocampal slice preparation with the use of intracellular and extracellular recording and one-dimensional current source-density (CSD) analysis. 2. Electrical stimulation of Schaffer collateral/commissural fibers evoked monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and population EPSPs, which were followed by biphasic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs). In the presence of the excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX) and D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV), stimulation in stratum radiatum evoked monosynaptic fast, GABAA and late, GABAB receptor-mediated IPSPs and fast and late positive field potentials recorded in s. radiatum. 3. Fast monosynaptic IPSPs and fast positive field potentials evoked in the presence of DNQX and APV were reversibly abolished by the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline methiodide (BMI; 30 microM) and were not changed by the GABAB receptor antagonist P-[3-aminopropyl]-P-diethoxymethylphosphinic acid (CGP 35,348; 0.1-1.0 mM). CGP 35,348 (0.1 mM) reversibly blocked late monosynaptic IPSPs and late positive field potentials. These results suggest that fast field potentials are GABAA receptor-mediated population IPSPs (GABAA, fast pIPSPs) and that late field potentials are GABAB receptor-mediated population IPSPs (GABAB, late pIPSPs). 4. Fast pIPSPs were reversibly abolished when the extracellular Cl- concentration [( Cl-]o) was reduced from 132 to 26 mM in parallel with a depolarizing shift in the reversal potential of fast IPSPs. Paired or repetitive stimulation in s. radiatum reversibly depressed fast pIPSPs and fast IPSPs. Paired-pulse depression of fast pIPSPs was reversibly antagonized by CGP 35,348 (0.4-0.8 mM). 5. Laminar analysis of s. radiatum-evoked fast pIPSPs and one-dimensional CSD analysis revealed active current sources in s. radiatum and passive current sinks in s. oriens and s. lacunosum moleculare. S. radiatum sources were abolished by pressure application of BMI in s. radiatum but not in s. oriens. Stimulation in s. oriens, s. pyramidale, or s. lacunosum moleculare evoked GABAA current sources horizontal to the stimulation site. Changes in the dendritic location of inhibitory current with changes in stimulus location paralleled changes in the distribution of excitatory current. 6. In the presence of 4-aminopyridine (50-100 microM), DNQX and APV long-lasting depolarizing GABAA receptor-mediated responses (LLDs) occurred spontaneously or could be evoked. Current sinks associated with s. radiatum-evoked LLDs were located in the same dendritic area as sources associated with hyperpolarizing fast IPSPs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
    Journal of Neurophysiology 12/1991; 66(5):1538-48. · 3.32 Impact Factor
  • Article: An integrated multielectrode electrophysiology system.
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    ABSTRACT: An integrated system for recording and analyzing electrophysiological data from multiple channels is described. The system uses an MS-DOS microcomputer, a 16-channel amplifier, and multiple-tipped electrode arrays designed for use in intact and slice preparations. The system is designed for applications where the collection and analysis of multiple-channel electrophysiological data is desirable, including the construction of current source density (CSD) profiles from field potential data. The software incorporates on-line averaging, CSD and freeze-frame capabilities to guide the experiment in progress. Additional off-line analyses include multiple unit activity, power spectra, and automatic scans of data files for peak amplitude, area, latency, and slope within user-defined latency windows. All data and analyses can be exported to commercial statistical/graphical programs for the creation of publication-ready figures.
    Journal of Neuroscience Methods 03/1991; 36(2-3):177-84. · 1.98 Impact Factor
  • Article: Two components of long-term potentiation induced by different patterns of afferent activation.
    L M Grover, T J Teyler
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    ABSTRACT: Long-term potentiation (LTP) of excitatory synaptic transmission could be a mechanism underlying memory. Induction of LTP requires Ca2+ influx into postsynaptic neurons through ion channels gated by NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors in hippocampus (area CA1 and dentate gyrus) and neocortex. Here we report that a component of LTP not requiring the activation of NMDA receptors can be induced in area CA1. The component is dependent on tetanus frequency, requires increases in postsynaptic intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, and is suppressed by an antagonist of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels.
    Nature 11/1990; 347(6292):477-9. · 36.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: Venlafaxine treatment stimulates expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein in frontal cortex and inhibits long-term potentiation in hippocampus
    J.D. Cooke, L.M. Grover, P.R. Spangler
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Antidepressant action may involve stimulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF also regulates long-term potentiation (LTP). We hypothesized that the 5-HT and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, venlafaxine, would stimulate BDNF expression and alter LTP more effectively than the selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, citalopram. To test this, we administered venlafaxine or citalopram to rats for 1 or 3 weeks; control rats received vehicle only. We measured BDNF protein in hippocampal and frontal cortex homogenates, and serum. We assessed LTP in area cornu ammonis region 1 (CA1) of in vitro hippocampal brain slices. We also examined input/output function to determine if basal synaptic transmission in area CA1 was altered. Compared to vehicle control, frontal cortex BDNF protein was significantly greater after three, but not one, weeks of venlafaxine treatment. In contrast, citalopram (1 or 3 weeks) did not stimulate BDNF. The stimulatory effect of venlafaxine treatment on BDNF was superimposed on a general time-dependent decrease in expression which was seen in both vehicle control and citalopram-treated animals. LTP was significantly impaired in slices from venlafaxine-treated rats after both 1 and 3 weeks of treatment, but LTP appeared normal in slices from citalopram-treated and vehicle control rats. The LTP impairment caused by venlafaxine treatment was independent of changes in BDNF: LTP was impaired after only 1 week of treatment, prior to any effect on BDNF, and LTP magnitude was not correlated with BDNF protein concentration. Input/output function was significantly but equally reduced after 3 weeks of citalopram, venlafaxine, or control treatment. Decreased BDNF protein in citalopram and vehicle control animals, and decreased input/output function may be consequences of individual housing of animals, which we used to ensure proper dosing. Venlafaxine stimulation of BDNF and inhibition of LTP may be related to the reported effectiveness of venlafaxine in treatment of depression.
    Neuroscience.

Institutions

  • 2006
    • Ohio University
      • Department of Biological Sciences
      Athens, OH, USA
  • 1995–2000
    • Marshall University
      Huntington, WV, USA
  • 1990–1996
    • Northeast Ohio Medical University
      Ravenna, OH, USA