Hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) is reduced by a coplanar PCB congener

Ozcan M., Yilmaz B., King W. M., Carpenter D. O.

NeuroToxicology, vol.25, no.6, pp.981-988, 2004 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 25 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2004
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.neuro.2004.03.014
  • Journal Name: NeuroToxicology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.981-988
  • Keywords: Electrophysiology, Learning, Memory, Mouse
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Neurotoxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is usually ascribed to the ortho-substituted congeners. We have examined the effects of acute perfusion of 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 77), a coplanar, dioxin-like congener, on long-term potentiation (LTP) in the Schaffer collateral-CA1 and the mossy fiber-CA3 pathways in mouse hippocampus. LTP in both pathways was blocked by PCB 77, with a threshold effect at a concentration of 1 μM. LTP is a useful model of learning and memory function in which a patterned stimulation of an afferent pathway produces a persistent increase in the efficacy of synaptic transmission. LTP is reduced by PCB mixtures and ortho-substituted congeners at concentrations comparable to those studied here. These observations provide evidence in support of the hypothesis that dioxin-like and non-dioxin-like PCB congeners are equally potent in causing the cognitive decrements seen in children exposed prenatally to PCBs. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.