N-Methyl-d-aspartate antagonist applied to the spinal cord hindlimb enlargement reduces the amplitude of flexion reflex in the turtle

Paul S.G. Stein, Carla P. Schild

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

APV (d(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate), an NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartate) antagonist, was applied in situ onto segments of the hindlimb enlargement of the turtle spinal cord. APV reduced the response amplitude of the flexion reflex. In contrast, APV did not alter the responsiveness of the rostral scratch reflex. Afferents for the flexion reflex enter the spinal cord via the dorsal roots of the middle segment of the hindlimb enlargement; afferents for the rostral scratch reflex enter the spinal cord via dorsal roots located anterior to the hindlimb enlargement. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that sensory interneuron NMDA receptors, synaptically activated either directly or indirectly by nearby cutaneous afferent axons, play a role in the spinal cord processing of cutaneous information.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)379-383
Number of pages5
JournalBrain Research
Volume479
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 13 1989

Keywords

  • Amino acid antagonist d(-)-2-Amino-5-phosphonuvalerate
  • Flexion reflex
  • N-Methyl-d-aspartate
  • Scratch reflex

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'N-Methyl-d-aspartate antagonist applied to the spinal cord hindlimb enlargement reduces the amplitude of flexion reflex in the turtle'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this