The effect of pentylenetetrazol on spike broadening and potassium inactivation

• Published in: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. C, Comparative pharmacology and toxicology Vol. 79; no. 2; p. 441
• Main Authors: Doerner, D, Pacheco, R M, Partridge, L D, Pacheco, M F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 1984
• Subjects: Action Potentials - drug effects; Animals; Electric Stimulation; Helix (Snails) - physiology; In Vitro Techniques; Ion Channels - drug effects; Lymnaea - physiology; Neurons - drug effects; Pentylenetetrazole - pharmacology; Potassium - metabolism; Synapses - drug effects; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0742-8413
• DOI: 10.1016/0742-8413(84)90228-7

The effect of the convulsant drug, pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) on spike broadening and potassium current inactivation was studied. PTZ was found to decrease the time taken for a cell to reach maximal broadening as well as causing a decrease in the total amount of broadening. Voltage clamp studies showed that in the presence of PTZ potassium current inactivated less but exhibited a faster time constant of inactivation. By exerting an effect on potassium inactivation and thereby spike broadening, PTZ may alter synaptic efficacy. Such an effect on synaptic efficacy may partially underlie the drug's convulsive activity.