CNQX

Potent and competitive AMPA and kainate receptor antagonist. Also antagonises NMDA receptors at the glycine site. Increases GABA_A receptor spontaneous postsynaptic currents (sPSCs). Shows neuroprotective actions. Water soluble, CNQX disodium salt also available.

The AMPA receptor antagonist CNQX is commonly used at concentrations of 10 μM to inhibit the actions of glutamate acting on AMPARs.

CNQX from Hello Bio reduces both spontaneous and evoked EPSCs in cortical neurons at concentrations of 1 μM with full AMPA receptor blockade at 10 μM (see Fig 1 above).

#Protocol 1: Evoked and spontaneous excitatory post synaptic currents (EPSCs)

• Whole cell voltage clamp recordings were obtained from layer V neurons of the mouse prelimbic cortex brain slice.
• EPSCs were evoked via a stimulating electrode placed in layers II/III delivering a single square (150 μs) pulse every 10 sec at an intensity that gave a reliable EPSC.
• Neurons were held at -70 to -60 mV (the reversal potential of GABA currents). EPSCs were continuously stimulated and recorded in response to 5 min applications of varying concentrations of CNQX until complete receptor inhibition.
• Spontaneous EPSCs were recorded before and after addition of CNQX by holding the neuron at -70 mV and recording for 10 sec.
• Recordings for EPSCs were made in the absence of GABA_A-R antagonists.