Abstract
The action of the commonly used antiepileptic drug phenytoin on frequency potentiation of synaptic potentials was studied at the frog neuromuscular junction. Whereas the drug, at concentrations of 0.1-0.3 mM, had only a slight effect on EPPs evoked by nerve stimulation at a frequency of 0.5 Hz, it strongly suppressed their potentiation during tetanic nerve stimulation at 30 Hz. The post-tetanic potentiation of the EPPs was also reduced by the drug. These effects occurred without a blockade of invasion of the nerve impulse into the presynaptic terminal during the tetanus, and thus indicate a specific frequency-dependent depressant action of the drug on neurally-evoked transmitter release.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 149-152 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Brain Research |
Volume | 304 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 18 Jun 1984 |
Keywords
- antiepileptic drug
- frequency potentiation
- frog
- neuromuscular junction
- phenytoin
- post-tetanic potentiation