Aspartate and glutamate as possible neurotransmitters of cells in layer 6 of the visual cortex

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Abstract
Two approaches were used to identify possible neurotransmitters used by cells in the visual cortex of the rat: measurement of the efflux of endogenous compounds in conditions of synaptic release and localization of these compounds to particular cell classes using neurotransmitter-specific histochemical techniques. The acidic amino acids aspartate and glutamate may be cortical neurotransmitters, as shown by calcium-dependent release from endogenous stores and by uptake specific to pyramidal cells in layer 6 of the cortex. These substances may have a role in the function of layer 6 cells, which are responsible for the recurrent projection from the cortex to the lateral geniculate nucleus and for the projection within the cortex from layer 6-4.