INFLUENCE OF DRUGS ON RESPONSE OF A CRUSTACEAN SYNAPSE TO PRE-GANGLIONIC STIMULATION

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Abstract
The action of drugs on the transmission of impulses from a single prepd. giant fiber to 3d root motor fibers of an abdominal ganglion of the crayfish, Cambarus clarkii, was studied. The time necessary for "blocking" transmission of double shock responses set up in the giant at 240 per min. was detd. Amyl trimethylamine caused potentiation of the transmission; the time necessary for blocking was lengthened. Nicotine and eserine caused potentiation, followed by depression and complete block, which was reversible in the case of nicotine. Hexyldimethylamine in small doses caused depression only (shorter blocking times); with larger doses complete irreversible block was obtained. Acetylcholine did not enhance the action of a sub-threshold dose of eserine. Arsenate, arsenite, cyanide and fluoride, all in a concn. of 10-3 M, were without effect on synaptic transmission and on the action of nicotine on the synapse.