EFFECTS OF KETAMINE AND OF HIGH PRESSURE ON THE RESPONSES TO γ‐AMINOBUTYRIC ACID OF THE RAT SUPERIOR CERVICAL GANGLION in vitro

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Abstract
1 The method of Brown & Marsh (1974) for recording of surface potentials from the rat superior cervical ganglion has been adapted for use in a high pressure chamber in order to study the effects of high pressure of helium and the possible interactions with the effects of general anaesthetics. 2 Helium pressure of 130 atm did not alter the amplitude of the responses recorded from the ganglion in response to γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) application (9.7 and 19.4 μm) but the amplitude of responses to a nicotinic agonist were depressed. 3 Ketamine, at concentrations between 18 and 180 μm, considerably potentiated the responses of the ganglion to GABA. 4 Helium pressure (130 atm) did not reverse the potentiation of GABA by ketamine. 5 The results are discussed in connection with the ability of ketamine to oppose the behavioural effects of high pressure.