Corticoliberin protects neurons from the negative influences of "dysfunctins" in living olfactory cortex slices.

The protective effects of corticoliberin on living rat olfactory cortex slices during perfusion with "dysfunctins" extracted from cerebrospinal fluid of drug addicts were studied. Isolated perfusion of slices with medium containing "dysfunctins" led to irreversible suppression of the amplitude of individual components of focal potentials induced by electrical stimulation of the lateral olfactory tract. The maximum level of depression was seen for the AMPA and NMDA components of EPSP. Preliminary perfusion of slices with medium containing corticoliberin (100 nM) for 15 min partially, and for 30 min completely protected processes mediated by activation of AMPA and NMDA receptor mechanisms from the negative influences of "dysfunctins." It is suggested that corticoliberin can induce its protective effects either via its own specific receptors or non-specifically via glutamate receptors. It is also possible that both of these mechanisms act in combination.