The role of adenosine A2a receptors in regulating GABAergic synaptic transmission in striatal medium spiny neurons

Abstract

We demonstrated an adenosine A,, receptor-mediated disinhibition of medium spiny projection neurons using intracellular recording and the whole-cell patch-clamp recording applied to these cells, visually identified in thin rat striatal slices. The A,, receptor agonist 2-b-(2-carboxyethyl) phenylethylaminol-5'-Nethylcarboxamido adenosine (CGS-21680; 0.3-l 0 PM) suppressed GABAergic synaptic transmission onto these cells in a manner inhibited by the A,, receptor-selective antagonist (E)-8-(3,4-dimethoxystytyl)-l,3-dipropyl-7-methylxanthine (0.1-l .O PM).