Neurotransmission in the Hippocampus

This volume provides an interdisciplinary approach to this central research topic. Firstly, the hippocampus is presented generally as a model for experiments on neurotransmission in the central nervous system; secondly, special features of synaptic organisation and synaptic transmission in this area of the brain are introduced. Of particular note is the wide-ranging methodological approach which includes light and electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry, Golgi/EM techniques, intracellular differentiation and intracellular colorings, histochemistry of transmitter enzymes and receptoraudiography. The reader thereby gains insight into the broad scope of methodological possibilities for the examination of such a complex problem as neurotransmission in the hippocampus.

1 Introduction.- 2 Neuronal Elements in the Hippocampus and Their Synaptic Connections.- 2.1 Hippocampal Neurons.- 2.2 Synaptic Connections of Identified Neurons in the Hippocampus.- 2.3 Functional Implications.- 3 Membrane Properties and Postsynaptic Responses of Hippocampal Neurons.- 3.1 Various Cell Types in the Slice Preparation.- 3.2 Short-Distance Excitatory Connections.- 3.3 GABAergic Inhibition.- 3.4 Cholinergic Excitation.- 3.5 Conclusions.- 4 The Enzyme Histochemistry of Neurotransmitter Metabolism.- 4.1 Enzymes Related to the Cholinergic Transmitter System.- 4.2 Enzymes Related to the Amino Acid Transmitter System.- 4.3 Conclusions.- 5 Receptor Autoradiography in the Hippocampus of Man and Rat.- 5.1 Quantitative Receptor Autoradiography as a Functional Approach.- 5.2 Distribution of Receptors in the Hippocampus of the Rat.- 5.3 Distribution of Binding Sites in the Human Hippocampus.- 5.4 Comparison of Receptor Distribution in the Hippocampus of Rat and Man.- Concluding Remarks.- Summary.- References.