Pentobarbital differentially inhibits N-methyl-D-aspartate and kainate-stimulated [3H]noradrenaline overflow in rat cortical slices

1. This study examined the ability of pentobarbital to inhibit NMDA and kainate-stimulated 3H]noradrenaline (3H]NA) overflow in rat brain cortical slices. 2. Pentobarbital inhibited NMDA-evoked 3H]NA overflow at 100 microM and greater and inhibited kainate-evoked 3H]NA overflow at 10 microM and greater. 3. The ability of pentobarbital to inhibit concentration-response curves for NMDA and kainate-evoked overflow of 3H]NA were also examined. Pentobarbital (300 microM) caused a 20% reduction in NMDA and a 50% reduction in kainate-induced maximal responses.