Release of aspartate and glutamate caused by chloride reduction in synaptosomal incubation media.

Release of the amino acid neurotransmitter candidates aspartate and glutamate from synaptosomes can be stimulated by reduction of [Cl-] in the incubation medium by replacement with the impermeant anions propionate and isethionate. Replacement by the permeant anion Br- is without effect on amino acid release. This release offers a biochemical method of studying the Cl-ion channel in CNS membrane.