α5GABAA receptors regulate hippocampal sharp wave-ripple activity in vitro

► The effects of etomidate and L-655,708 which display selective but opposite actions at α5GABAARs were examined on hippocampal sharp waves and ripples in vitro. ► Etomidate suppressed both ripples and clustered occurrence of sharp waves. ► L-766,708 enhanced both ripples and clustered occurrence of sharp waves.