Increased inter-spike intervals and fast after-hyperpolarization of action potentials in rat hippocampal pyramidal cells accompanied with altered calbindin immunoreactivity 10-12 months after global forebrain ischemia.

In vivo electrophysiological recordings of CA1/CA2 pyramidal cells were performed 10-12 months after global forebrain ischemia (four-vessel occlusion, 15 mm) and were compared to levels of calbindin expression. Ischemic animals were subdivided in non-sclerotic ischemic (NSI) and sclerotic ischemic (SI) groups depending on the absence or presence of hippocampal sclerosis. A decreased excitability was observed in neurons from both groups, as shown by significant prolongation of inter-spike intervals (ISI) of evoked action potentials and by increased amplitude of fast after-hyperpolarization (fAHP). The ratio of calbindin-positive CA1/CA2 pyramidal cells decreased from 59% in control to 33% and 8% in NSI and SI animals, respectively. These results suggest that decreased excitability of CA1/CA2 pyramidal cells represents a protective mechanism against ischemia-induced neurodegeneration and might be related to decreased calbindin expression.