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. 1974 Sep;241(2):309–325. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1974.sp010658

The effects of physostigmine on synaptic transmission in the inferior mesenteric ganglion of guinea-pigs

J C Bornstein
PMCID: PMC1331034  PMID: 4443920

Abstract

1. Synaptic potentials were recorded with intracellular electrodes from cells in the inferior mesenteric ganglion of the guinea-pig.

2. Half-widths of the synaptic potentials recorded fell into two groups: type L cells had long synaptic potentials (11·6-15·2 msec) and low thresholds (14·6 mV mean), type S cells had short synaptic potentials (6·1-9·3 msec) and high thresholds (29·9 mV mean).

3. Physostigmine (1·2 × 10-6 M) caused a significant increase in the half-width of both types of synaptic potential.

4. Physostigmine caused a significant increase in the half-width of spontaneous synaptic potentials and an increase in their amplitude.

5. Repetitive preganglionic stimulation, in the presence of physostigmine, led to a marked and prolonged depolarization in all cells. In most cells repetitive spontaneous firing of action potentials was then observed. This effect was blocked by atropine (1·4 × 10-7 M).

6. The effect of atropine on the half-width in a physostigmine-treated cell was inconsistent: although synaptic potentials in some cells were slightly shortened their half-widths were always greater than the control.

7. It is concluded that cholinesterase plays a role in limiting the time course of the synaptic potential, by limiting the duration of action of acetylcholine.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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