Post-junctional interactions between neuromuscular blocking agents and ethanol at the mouse neuromuscular junction.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Ethanol is known to have both pre-synaptic and post-synaptic effects at a range of loci in the mammalian nervous system, including the neuromuscular junction. However, the effects of ethanol on evoked synaptic transmission have not been previously studied at the mouse neuromuscular junction. Here, we report on the effects of ethanol on evoked neuromuscular transmission and the interaction of ethanol with non-depolarizing blocking drugs.

Experimental approach

Electrophysiological techniques to measure synaptic potentials and synaptic currents were employed in this study.

Key results

Ethanol (≥100 mM) produced increases in the amplitudes of both spontaneous and evoked synaptic events. Under conditions in which neuromuscular transmission was blocke

SUBMITTER: Searl TJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2990162 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature