Quisqualate receptor-mediated rhythmic bursting of rat hypothalamic neurons in dissociated cell culture.

Dissociated hypothalamic neurons from embryonic rat brain exhibit a level of spontaneous synaptic activity after 21 days in culture. When GABA-mediated responses are blocked by picrotoxin or bicuculline (20 microM), the neurons burst rhythmically. Rhythmic burst activity is generated in most cells by postsynaptic excitatory currents (EPSCs) through non-specific cationic channels rather than by intrinsic pacemaker currents. We present evidence that EPSCs are mediated by an excitatory amino acid and a quisqualate receptor type.