Abstract: Cellular physiology workstations for automated data acquisition and perfusion control are described. The cellular physiology workstation may be used for physiological and electrophysiological experiments. Methods for employing such cellular physiology workstations in physiological and electrophysiological experiments are also disclosed. The cellular physiology workstations comprise one or more recording chambers each for holding one or more cells to be measured. One or more cells are place in each recording chamber. Perfusions means, such as an automatic perfusion system is connected to the recording chamber to perfuse the cells with a plurality of solutions containing different concentration of one or more agents to be tested. Biosensors, such as patch clamps, electrodes, or microscopes are positioned to detect a response from the cell. The cellular physiology workstation may optionally comprise injecting means for introducing an injection solution into the cell before and during analysis.

Abstract: Cellular physiology workstations for automated data acquisition and perfusion control are described. The cellular physiology workstation may be used for physiological and electrophysiological experiments. Methods for employing such cellular physiology workstations in physiological and electrophysiological experiments are also disclosed. The cellular physiology workstations comprise one or more recording chambers each for holding one or more cells to be measured. One or more cells are place in each recording chamber. Perfusions means, such as an automatic perfusion system is connected to the recording chamber to perfuse the cells with a plurality of solutions containing different concentration of one or more agents to be tested. Biosensors, such as patch clamps, electrodes, or microscopes are positioned to detect a response from the cell. The cellular physiology workstation may optionally comprise injecting means for introducing an injection solution into the cell before and during analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying a subunit specific modulator of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The method involves providing a plurality of NMDA receptors which differ in their subunit identity. The receptors are contacted with a neurotransmitter recognition site ligand in the presence and absence of a candidate modulator. Receptor activity is then assayed, with an increase or decrease in activity in at least one, but not all members of the plurality of NMDA receptors, in the presence but not the absence of a candidate modulator, being an indication that the candidate modulator is a subunit specific modulator. The subunit identity of the subset of the NMDA receptors to determine the subunit specificity of the candidate modulator. Various combinations of NMDA receptor subunits are provided.

Abstract: Cellular physiology workstations for automated data acquisition and perfusion control are described. The cellular physiology workstation may be used for physiological and electrophysiological experiments. Methods for employing such cellular physiology workstations in physiological and electrophysiological experiments are also disclosed. The cellular physiology workstations comprise one or more recording chambers each for holding one or more cells to be measured. One or more cells are place in each recording chamber. Perfusions means, such as an automatic perfusion system is connected to the recording chamber to perfuse the cells with a plurality of solutions containing different concentration of one or more agents to be tested. Biosensors, such as patch clamps, electrodes, or microscopes are positioned to detect a response from the cell. The cellular physiology workstation may optionally comprise injecting means for introducing an injection solution into the cell before and during analysis.

Abstract: Cellular physiology workstations for automated data acquisition and perfusion control are described. The cellular physiology workstation may be used for physiological and electrophysiological experiments. Methods for employing such cellular physiology workstations in physiological and electrophysiological experiments are also disclosed. The cellular physiology workstations comprise one or more recording chambers each for holding one or more cells to be measured. One or more cells are place in each recording chamber. Perfusions means, such as an automatic perfusion system is connected to the recording chamber to perfuse the cells with a plurality of solutions containing different concentration of one or more agents to be tested. Biosensors, such as patch clamps, electrodes, or microscopes are positioned to detect a response from the cell. The cellular physiology workstation may optionally comprise injecting means for introducing an injection solution into the cell before and during analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying a subunit specific modulator of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The method involves providing a plurality of NMDA receptors which differ in their subunit identity. The receptors are contacted with a neurotransmitter recognition site ligand in the presence and absence of a candidate modulator. Receptor activity is then assayed, with an increase or decrease in activity in at least one, but not all members of the plurality of NMDA receptors, in the presence but not the absence of a candidate modulator, being an indication that the candidate modulator is a subunit specific modulator. The subunit identity of the subset of the NMDA receptors to determine the subunit specificity of the candidate modulator. Various combinations of NMDA receptor subunits are provided.

Abstract: Cellular physiology workstations for automated data acquisition and perfusion control are described. The cellular physiology workstation may be used for physiological and electrophysiological experiments. Methods for employing such cellular physiology workstations in physiological and electrophysiological experiments are also disclosed. The cellular physiology workstations comprise one or more recording chambers each for holding one or more cells to be measured. One or more cells are place in each recording chamber. Perfusions means, such as an automatic perfusion system is connected to the recording chamber to perfuse the cells with a plurality of solutions containing different concentration of one or more agents to be tested. Biosensors, such as patch clamps, electrodes, or microscopes are positioned to detect a response from the cell. The cellular physiology workstation may optionally comprise injecting means for introducing an injection solution into the cell before and during analysis.

Abstract: Cellular physiology workstations for automated data acquisition and perfusion control are described. The cellular physiology workstation may be used for physiological and electrophysiological experiments. Methods for employing such cellular physiology workstations in physiological and electrophysiological experiments are also disclosed. The cellular physiology workstations comprise one or more recording chambers each for holding one or more cells to be measured. One or more cells are place in each recording chamber. Perfusions means, such as an automatic perfusion system is connected to the recording chamber to perfuse the cells with a plurality of solutions containing different concentration of one or more agents to be tested. Biosensors, such as patch clamps, electrodes, or microscopes are positioned to detect a response from the cell. The cellular physiology workstation may optionally comprise injecting means for introducing an injection solution into the cell before and during analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor-mediated ion channel activity (NMDA receptor activity), comprising contacting a neuronal cell (e.g., hippocampal neuron, spinal cord cell) with an effective amount (e.g., 1 to 500 .mu.M) of a derivative of pregnenolone sulfate. Derivatives of pregnenolone sulfate that inhibit NMDA receptor activity include pregnenolone sulfate derivatives in which the A ring includes at least one double bond; PS in which the A ring is fully unsaturated; PS derivatives in which the double bond at the C5-C6 position is reduced; and PS in which the moiety at the C3, C5, C6, C7, C11, C17, C20 and/or C21 position is modified. It further relates to PS derivatives which have modifications at other positions (e.g., C10, C10, C13, C18, C19), alone or in combination, and are inhibitors of NMDA receptor activity. The present invention also relates to a method of modulating or altering (e.g.

Abstract: The 5'-flanking region and core regulatory domains that underlie neuronal specific expression of the human .gamma.-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA.sub.A) receptor .beta.1 subunit gene are identified herein. Sequence analysis, mapping of transcriptional initiation sites, and transfection of reporter gene constructs into primary cultures demonstrate that neuronal and region specific activity resides in a TATA-less minimal promoter of 186 bp, comprising an initiator, the major transcriptional start site, a presumptive TFIID binding site, and an enhancer. Enhancer sequence contained within a 26 bp region at the 5'-end of the minimal promoter is essential for activity but not for tissue specificity. Moreover, .beta.1 promoter activity is subject to autologous inhibition, indicating that GABA-induced receptor mRNA downregulation results from an inhibition of gene transcription.

Abstract: Cellular physiology workstations for automated data acquisition and perfusion control are described. The cellular physiology workstation may be used for physiological and electrophysiological experiments. Methods for employing such cellular physiology workstations in physiological and electrophysiological experiments are also disclosed. The cellular physiology workstations comprise one or more recording chambers each for holding one or more cells to be measured. One or more cells are place in each recording chamber. Perfusion device, such as an automatic perfusion system is connected to the recording chamber to perfuse the cells with a plurality of solutions containing different concentration of one or more agents to be tested. Biosensors, such as patch clamps, electrodes, or microscopes are positioned to detect a response from the cell. The cellular physiology workstation may optionally comprise injecting device for introducing an injection solution into the cell before and during analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor-mediated ion channel activity (NMDA receptor activity), comprising contacting a neuronal cell (e.g., hippocampal neuron, spinal cord cell) with an effective amount (e.g., 1 to 500 .mu.M) of a derivative of pregnenolone sulfate. Derivatives of pregnenolone sulfate that inhibit NMDA receptor activity include pregnenolone sulfate in which the A ring includes at least one double bond or is fully unsaturated, the double bond at the C5-C6 position is reduced, the moiety at the C3, C10, C11 or C13 position is modified, alone or in combination. It further relates to pregnenolone sulfate derivatives which have modifications at other positions (e.g., C5, C7, C10, C16, C17, C18, C19, C20, C21), alone or in combination, and are inhibitors of NMDA recepteor activity. The pregnenolone sulfate derivatives differ from pregnenolone sulfate at least one position.

Abstract: The subject application discloses methods for modulating NMDA-mediated ion transport, and inhibiting non-NMDA glutamate-induced ion transport, in neuronal cells. The methods involve contacting a neuronal cell with an effective amount of the neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate, or pharmacologically effective derivatives thereof.

Abstract: The subject application discloses methods for modulating NMDA-mediated ion transport, and inhibiting non-NMDA glutamate-induced ion transport, in neuronal cells. The methods involve contacting a neuronal cell with an effective amount of the neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate, or pharmacologically effective derivatives thereof.