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Figure 5 | Molecular Brain

Figure 5

From: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors mediate activity-dependent down-regulation of potassium channel genes during the expression of homeostatic intrinsic plasticity

Figure 5

Inhibition of NMDARs or L-type VGCCs during chronic activity blockade increases intrinsic excitability to the same extent as chronic activity blockade alone. (A,B) Rat dissociated hippocampal neurons cultured at high density (DIV 12–14) were treated for 48 h with control (CTL-H2O, 0.1% H2O), TTX (0.5 μM), TTX (0.5 μM) + APV (100 μM), or TTX (0.5 μM) + Nif (20 μM). (A) Representative spike trains are shown. (B) Average AP firing rates (Hz) measured in pyramidal neurons treated for 48 h with CTL-H2O (n = 9), TTX (n = 10), TTX + APV (n = 10), or TTX + Nif (n = 9). Mean ± SEM (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 for CTL vs. TTX; ^p < 0.05, ^^p < 0.01 for CTL vs. TTX + APV; #p < 0.05, ##p < 0.01 for CTL vs. TTX + Nif). (C) A summary plot illustrating the effect of pharmacological treatments on instantaneous firing rates at 100 pA. Treatment of hippocampal neurons with TTX and co-treatment with either TTX and APV or TTX and Nif significantly increased AP firing frequency compared to CTL-H2O treatment. The average AP rates at 100 pA injection for APV and Nif treatments are from Figures 3B and 4B. Mean ± SEM (**p < 0.01).

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