Activity-dependent depression of nerve action potential by phenytoin

Gaby David, Michael E. Selzer, Yoel Yaari*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The action of the anticonvulsant drug phenytoin was investigated on the responsiveness of isolated amphibian and human nerves to repetitive stimulation. At low frequencies of stimulation (0.5-25 Hz) the drug (at a concentration of 0.1 mM) had no notable effect on the compound nerve action potential. By contrast, at higher rates of stimulation (50-300 Hz), it produced a progressive decrease in amplitude and integral of the compound action potential. This effect was positively correlated with the frequency of nerve activation and was markedly enhanced by elevating the extracellular K+ concentration. Thus, phenytoin induces a use- and frequency-dependent depression of axon conduction, which may contribute to its preferential suppression of the spread of high-frequency seizure discharge in the brain.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)163-168
Number of pages6
JournalNeuroscience Letters
Volume66
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 May 1986

Keywords

  • antiepileptic drug
  • frequency-dependence-action potential
  • frog
  • phenytoin
  • sciatic nerve
  • use-dependence

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Activity-dependent depression of nerve action potential by phenytoin'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this