AN ACID-NEUROHUMORAL MECHANISM OF NERVE CELL ACTIVATION

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Abstract
The duration of respiratory after-discharges following faradic stimulations of either Bering''s nerve or the cutaneo-sensory saphenous nerve varied inversely with the duration of stimulation. Such findings are contrary to the direct relation of after-discharge to stimulation as found by Sherrington in spinal reflexes. These differences in respiratory and spinal after-discharges were attributed to the alkalinizing action of the reflexogenic hyperpnea. Since acetylcholine in alkaline media and in the presence of cholinesterase is very unstable it has been proposed that variations in cH may determine the duration of the life span of each deposit of acetylcholine produced by each impulse impinging on a nerve cell. Variations in the life span of individual deposits would in turn determine the rate and amt. of accumulation of acetylcholine at nerve cells under bombardment, as well as the rate at which accumulated acetylcholine disappeared when bombardment ceased. Prolonged hyperpnea which turned the tissues more alkaline than shorter hyperpneas might, therefore, be followed by shorter periods of after-hyperpnea. Findings conform with theory. The control of the longevity of acetylcholine deposits by variations in cH may prove to have an important role in neurophysiology.

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