Fig. 5. PDCs are more excitable and sensitive than the soma in DA neurons.
(A) A transmitted image of a dissociated DA neuron with the locations of glutamate uncaging sites (red). To get the same effect from glutamate uncaging, the soma needed a larger uncaging area than the proximal dendritic regions. (B) Relationship between the uncaged areas and the maximum firing frequencies in the soma (red) and PDCs (black). (C) A transmitted image of a dissociated DA neuron with the locations of GABA-uncaging areas (red). GABA-uncaging on the soma or proximal dendritic region induced firing inhibitions with different latency times (∆t). Red triangles indicate the uncaging times. The uncaging areas are the same. (D) GABA uncaging on the proximal dendritic region immediately inhibited spontaneous firing, in contrast with the effects on the soma. Dots indicate spikes of action potentials in DA neurons. (E) Comparison of the latency of GABA-induced firing inhibitions between the soma and PDCs (**p < 0.001, n = 6). Values are presented as mean ± SE. PDCs, proximal dendritic compartments; DA, dopamine.
© Korean J Physiol Pharmacol
