[Abstract Title]. - Society for Neuroscience

Support: TUBITAK-0301-COST
TUBITAK (104S228)
Title: Effects of serotonin on the frog slowly-adapting Type I mechanoreceptive fibers
Authors: S. MUTLU, *B. GUCLU;
Biomed. Engin. Inst., BOGAZICI UNIVERSITY, Istanbul, Turkey
Abstract: It was previously hypothesized that serotonin may be involved with mechanoelectric
transduction in the Merkel cell-neurite complex. We recorded single-unit electrophysiological
responses from the dorsal cutaneous nerves of the common water frog‟s (Rana ridibunda) skin
perfused in a tissue bath. Static mechanical stimulation was applied at suprathreshold levels by
von Frey hairs calibrated at 0.16, 0.4, 1, 1.4, and 2 g-bending forces. After classification of
slowly adapting Type-I fibers, the effect of serotonin was tested at three concentrations: 10 µM
(n=8), 100 µM (n=8), 1000 µM (n=6). The spike rate increased as a linear function of the
stimulus level at baseline and all tested concentrations. Additionally, serotonin had significant
effects on the spike rate in general. Spike rate increased significantly at 10 µM (paired t-test;
p