Bursting firing of action potentials in central snail neurons elicited by d-amphetamine: role of the electrogenic sodium pump

Comp Biochem Physiol C Pharmacol Toxicol Endocrinol. 1995 May;111(1):131-41. doi: 10.1016/0742-8413(94)00097-d.

Abstract

The effects of d-amphetamine on central neurons were studied electrophysiologically in the identifiable RP4 neuron of the African snail, Achatina fulica Ferussac. d-Amphetamine elicited bursting activity from the central RP4 neuron in a concentration-dependent manner. The bursting activity was not blocked in a high magnesium (30 mM) medium, or after a continuous perfusion of propranolol, prazosin, haloperidol, phenobarbital, hexamethonium, d-tubocurarine, atropine, or calcium-free solution containing EDTA or verapamil. These results suggested that the bursting activity elicited by d-amphetamine was not due to: (1) the synaptic effects of neurotransmitters; or (2) the cholinergic or adrenergic receptors of the excitable membrane. However, the bursting activity elicited by d-amphetamine was blocked in the presence of ouabain or in the medium containing potassium-free, low sodium solutions. d-Amphetamine did not elicit the bursting activity of the LP4 neuron in the same ganglia preparation, and did not alter the GABA-elicited currents of the snail neuron. It is concluded, therefore, that d-amphetamine induced a potassium- and sodium-dependent bursting activity of central neurons. The bursting activity of the central neuron may be associated with the sodium pump of the neuron.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Atropine / pharmacology
  • Dextroamphetamine / toxicity*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Edetic Acid / pharmacology
  • Esophagus / metabolism
  • Haloperidol / pharmacology
  • Hexamethonium / pharmacology
  • Magnesium / pharmacology
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Ouabain / pharmacology
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Phenobarbital / pharmacology
  • Potassium / pharmacology
  • Prazosin / pharmacology
  • Propranolol / pharmacology
  • Snails
  • Sodium / pharmacology
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / drug effects
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / physiology*
  • Temperature
  • Tubocurarine / pharmacology
  • Verapamil / pharmacology

Substances

  • Hexamethonium
  • Ouabain
  • Atropine
  • Edetic Acid
  • Sodium
  • Propranolol
  • Verapamil
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase
  • Magnesium
  • Haloperidol
  • Potassium
  • Dextroamphetamine
  • Tubocurarine
  • Prazosin
  • Phenobarbital