[Duration-tuning of the neurons in the inferior colliculus of guinea pigs and the role of gamma-aminobutyric acid mediated inhibition].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate duration tuning in the inferior colliculus (IC) of guinea pigs and the role of GABA-mediated inhibition on this tuning.

METHODS

Totally 23 healthy albino guinea pigs of either sex were employed in this study. After anesthesia, spikes of neurons in inferior colliculus were recorded using five-barrel glass-pipettes. The characteristic frequency was determined by recording iso-intensity response curves at moderate intensity level (40-70 dB SPL) and duration tuning was measured with signals of fixed intensity and varied durations. GABA-A receptor antagonist, bicuculline, was applied to neurons by means of in vivo micro-iontophoresis through one channel in the five-barrel glass-pipettes.

RESULTS

IC neurons of guinea pigs, especially for those who showed sustained temporal response pattern, showed stronger duration tuning in their transient response peak to signal onset. Among 207 neurons recorded, totally 93 neurons were found to show clear duration selectivity. The duration selectivity was eliminated or turned to be weaker in most of the neurons in which the effect of bicuculline was observed successfully.

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike what was reported in bats, duration selectivity may be a transient process for most of IC neurons in guinea pigs. Duration selectively of IC neurons in the guinea pig was also largely dependent on the GABAergic inhibition.