Nickel modulates the electrical activity of cultured cortical neurons through a specific effect on N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor channels

▶Ni modulates spontaneous NMDA currents in cultured cortical neurons. ▶Ni increases amplitude and frequency of these currents. ▶Its action is consistent with a predominance of NR2B-containing receptors. ▶Ni also increases burst duration in neurons cultured on microelectrode arrays. ▶Ni effect and composition of the receptors shows no modification during time in vitro.