CONDUCTION-BLOCKING CONCENTRATIONS OF ANESTHETICS INCREASE WITH NERVE AXON DIAMETER - STUDIES WITH ALCOHOL, LIDOCAINE AND TETRODOTOXIN ON SINGLE MYELINATED FIBERS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 201  (2) , 340-349
Abstract
The equilibrium blocking concentrations of benzyl alcohol, lidocaine and tetrodotoxin just sufficient to block nerve impulse conduction were determined on myelinated single fibers of the bullfrog [Rana catesbeiana]. For all 3 anesthetics, the fastest conducting fibers (45 m/s; about 18 .mu. diameter) required about 4 times higher blocking concentrations than the slowest fibers (8 m/s; about 3 .mu. diameter). The drugs did not affect the frog sciatic nerve length constant (2 mm), using tetrodotoxin to block the action potential. In agreement with Uehara''s single fiber study using urethane, smaller myelinated fibers appear to be more sensitive to anesthetic blockade.

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