A p38 MAPK inhibitor prevents PrP^Sc-induced reduction in spontaneous synaptic neurotransmitter release.

Hippocampal neurons were treated for 24 hrs with either mock-purified material, purified PrPSc, a p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB239063, 10 μM) alone, or the p38 MAPK inhibitor in the presence of purified PrPSc. Whole-cell patch clamping was used to record mEPSCs (A), the frequencies and amplitudes of which were quantitated (B,C). N = 15 cells from 3 independent experiments. ***p<0.001, **p<0.01, *p<0.05 by Student’s t-test; N.S., not significantly different.