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Acute Modulation of Voltage‐Gated Ca2+ Channels in Retinal Ganglion Cells by Gabapentin

The α2δ1 auxiliary subunits of voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) are important modulators of VGCC function. Gabapentin interacts with α2δ1 subunits. Thus, it is possible that gabapentin may prevent the deleterious effects of elevated Ca2+ levels in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in trauma and disease. The aim of this study was to establish the expression of α2δ1 VGCC auxiliary subunits in the retina and to determine the effects of gabapentin on VGCCs in RGCs. Immunohistochemistry was performed on rat retinal sections to determine the localization of α2δ1. Patch clamp was used to record Ca2+ currents (ICa) in isolated RGCs. ICa was measured in the absence and presence of gabapentin. Retinal sections exhibited α2δ1‐like immunoreactivity in RGC cell bodies and their primary dendrites. In isolated RGCs, acute administration of gabapentin reduced ICa compared to control. Pretreatment of RGCs with gabapentin reduced ICa compared to non‐pretreated cells. Also, acute administration of gabapentin to RGCs that had been pretreated further reduced ICa. Thus, modulation of α2δ1 VGCC subunits may prove to be an important target in the neuroprotection of damaged RGCs. Ongoing work is aimed to determine the mechanism of acute modulation of VGCCs by gabapentin.