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Plasticity of synaptic GluN receptors is required for the Src-dependent induction of long-term potentiation at CA3-CA1 synapses

Li HB, Jackson MF, Yang K, Trepanier C, Salter MW, Orser BA, Macdonald JF. (2011) Hippocampus. 21(10):1053-61. Abstract The induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) of CA3-CA1 synapses requires activation of postsynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (GluNRs). At resting potential, the contribution of GluNRs is limited by their voltage-dependent block by extracellular Mg2+. High-frequency afferent stimulation is required to cause […]

The sedative but not the memory-blocking properties of ethanol are modulated by α5-subunit-containing γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors

Martin LJ, Zurek AA, Bonin RP, Oh GH, Kim JH, Mount HT, Orser BA. (2011) Behav Brain Res.217(2):379-85. Abstract The precise mechanisms underlying the memory-blocking properties of ethanol are unknown, in part because ethanol targets a wide array of neurotransmitter receptors and transporters. The aim of this study was to determine whether the memory loss caused by […]

Inhibition of learning and memory by general anesthetics

Wang DS, Orser BA. (2011) Can J Anaesth. 58(2):167-77. Abstract PURPOSE: Today’s general anesthetics were developed empirically according to their ability to produce memory blockade, analgesia, immobility, and unconsciousness. Thus, a major outstanding question remains: How do anesthetics produce their desirable behavioural end points at the molecular level? Understanding the mechanisms underlying memory blockade is […]

Pharmacological enhancement of δ-subunit-containing GABAA receptors that generate a tonic inhibitory conductance in spinal neurons attenuates acute nociception in mice

Bonin RP, Labrakakis C, Eng DG, Whissell PD, De Koninck Y, Orser BA. (2011) Pain. 152(6):1317-26. Abstract The development of new strategies for the treatment of acute pain requires the identification of novel nonopioid receptor targets. This study explored whether δ-subunit-containing GABAARs (δGABAARs) in neurons of the spinal cord dorsal horn generate a tonic inhibitory conductance […]

Intraoperative awareness: from neurobiology to clinical practice

Mashour GA, Orser BA, Avidan MS. (2011) Anesthesiology. 114(5):1218-33. Abstract Intraoperative awareness is defined by both consciousness and explicit memory of surgical events. Although electroencephalographic techniques to detect and prevent awareness are being investigated, no method has proven uniformly reliable. The lack of a standard intraoperative monitor for the brain likely reflects our insufficient understanding of consciousness […]

Functional modifications of acid-sensing ion channels by ligand-gated chloride channels

Chen X, Whissell P, Orser BA, MacDonald JF. (2011) PLoS One. 6(7):e21970. Abstract Together, acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) and epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) constitute the majority of voltage-independent sodium channels in mammals. ENaC is regulated by a chloride channel, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Here we show that ASICs were reversibly inhibited by […]

An anti-coagulation agent Futhan preferentially targets GABAA receptors in lungepithelia: implication in treating asthma

Chen X, Li M, Xiong ZG, Orser BA, Macdonald JF, Lu WY. (2011) Int J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol. 3(4):249-56. Abstract Futhan is a serine protease inhibitor and medicine in the treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and acute pancreatitis. It is metabolized quickly in vivo. Here we show that Futhan reversibly inhibits NMDA receptors in hippocampal […]