Characteristics of Transmission Failure in the Squid Stellate Ganglion: A Study of A Simple Habituating System

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Abstract
When certain vertebrate and invertebrate interneurones are repeatedly stimulated through the sense organs, or by electric shocks delivered to sensory nerves, their response gradually fails. Typically the stimulus is delivered once every few seconds and the response consists of action potentials (e.g. Bell, Buendia, Sierra & Segundo, 1964; Horn & Hill, 1964, 1966; Horridge, Scholes, Shaw & Tunstall, 1965; Horn & Rowell, 1968) or excitatory postsynaptic potentials (Bruner & Tauc, 1966; Spencer, Thompson & Neilson, 1966; Segundo, Takenaka & Encabo, 1967 a). The physiological basis of this response decrement is not known though synaptic depression, desensitization of the postsynaptic membrane, accumulation of potassium ions in the extracellular clefts and build up of pre-and postsynaptic inhibition have all at one time or another been invoked.