Biomedical subjects

A Vehovszky

Publications and source records attributed to A Vehovszky.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Reliability and precision of neural spike timing: simulation of spectrally broadband synaptic inputs.

Spectrally broadband stimulation of neurons has been an effective method for studying their dynamic responses to simulated synaptic inputs. Previous studies with such stimulation were mostly based upon the direct intracellular injection of noisy current waveforms. In the present study we analyze and compare the firing output of various identified molluscan neurons to aperiodic, broadband current signals using three types of stimulus paradigms: 1. direct injection in current clamp mode, 2. conductance injection using electrotonic coupling of the input waveform to the neuron, and 3. conductance injection using a simulated chemical excitatory connection. The current waveforms were presented in 15 successive trials and the trial-to-trial variations of the spike responses were analyzed using peri-stimulus spike density functions. Comparing the responses of the neurons to the same type of input waveforms, we found that conductance injection resulted in more reliable and precise spike responses than direct current injection. The statistical parameters of the response spike trains depended on the spectral distribution of the input. The reliability increased with increasing cutoff frequency, while the temporal jitter of spikes changed in the opposite direction. Neurons with endogenous bursting displayed lower reproducibility in their responses to noisy waveforms when injected directly; however, they fired far more reliably and precisely when receiving the same waveforms as conductance inputs. The results show that molluscan neurons are capable of accurately reproducing their responses to synaptic inputs. Conductance injection provides an enhanced experimental technique for assessing the neurons' spike timing reliability and it should be preferred over direct current injection of noisy waveforms.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2002

Heterosynaptic modulation by the octopaminergic OC interneurons increases the synaptic outputs of protraction phase interneurons (SO, N1L) in the feeding system of Lymnaea stagnalis.

We examined the cholinergic synapses between protraction phase interneurons (SO or N1L) and their targets (N1M interneuron, B1 motoneuron) in the buccal ganglia of the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. We have tested the hypothesis that the OC (octopamine-containing) interneuron, an intrinsic modulator of the feeding network, can increase the synaptic efficacy from the SO or N1L to their targets. Prestimulation of the OC interneuron, 4 s before the activation of the SO or N1L increases the strength of their output synapses by 75% (SO)-110% (N1L). The individual excitatory postsynaptic potentials evoked by SO or N1L stimulation increase in size. OC prestimulation also produces an increase in the firing rate of these presynaptic interneurons: SO 40%; N1L 33%. The facilitation lasts up to 6 s after the end of the OC burst. The enhancement of PSPs is seen at all the output synapses (both excitatory and inhibitory) of the SO and N1L interneurons. The output synapses of the non-cholinergic swallowing phase N3p interneuron are not affected, even when the same postsynaptic target is selected. The SO-->N1M, SO-->B1 and N1L-->N1M synapses are also strengthened by bath application of 1-5 microM octopamine (average increase 60%). The major effect is an increased excitability of the SO; the B1 motoneuron response to the main transmitter of the SO, acetylcholine, is unaffected. Increased synaptic outputs of the protraction phase SO and N1L interneurons is functionally significant for generation of feeding pattern in the Lymnaea CNS. Strengthening the connections of SO and N1L to the central pattern generator (N1M) interneurons enhances their ability to drive fictive feeding. Thus heterosynaptic facilitation by the octopaminergic OC interneurons in the central pattern generator network may contribute to the behavioral plasticity of feeding in the intact animal.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed2002

Membrane effects of toxins isolated from a cyanobacterium, Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, on identified molluscan neurones.

The effect of anatoxin (ANTX), the crude extract (AlgTX) and purified fraction (F1) isolated from cyanobacterium C. raciborskii was studied on the neurones of two snail species. ANTX and AlgTX exerted excitatory, inhibitory and biphasic effects on the spontaneous activity of identified neurones. Both ANTX and AlgTX elicited an inward current, which could be decreased by curare or amiloride. On the contrary, F1 had no direct effect on the spontaneous activity; it was not able to induce conductance changes of the neuronal membrane, but it did antagonise the acetylcholine (ACh)-induced inward current. We concluded that ANTX affects the neuronal membrane of neurones acting on ACh receptors. The AlgTX had similar effects, and therefore the extract of C. raciborskii may contain an ANTX-like component. The purified fraction prolonged and decreased the ACh-elicited response, but had no direct membrane effect. We suggest, therefore, that both AlgTX and the purified fraction F1 interact with the ACh receptor, but they have different binding sites on the neuronal ACh receptor-ion channel complex. The possible neurotoxic effects of the C. raciborskii extract and F1 are demonstrated for the first time; the molecular mechanism of their action, however, remains to be elucidated.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed2000

Polycyclic neuromodulation of the feeding rhythm of the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis by the intrinsic octopaminergic interneuron, OC.

We have examined the role of the octopamine-containing buccal OC interneuron in the fictive feeding rhythm generated by depolarizing a modulatory interneuron, SO, in the isolated central nervous system (CNS) of Lymnaea stagnalis. Before stimulating the SO, the initial fictive feeding rate was 2.0+/-0.37 bites/min (mean+/-S.E.). When the SO was stimulated, the fictive feeding rate more than doubled, increasing by 5.4+/-2.6 bites/min. Prestimulation of OC facilitates the ability of the modulatory neuron SO to drive fictive feeding 4 s later. Following OC stimulation, the increase in SO-driven feeding rate was 10.8+/-1.6 bites/min, significantly more than when only the SO was stimulated (P<0.02, paired t-test on five preparations). OC activity is not required during the SO stimulation for this enhancement. The maximum of the SO driven rhythm occurs between 6 and 12 s after the end of the OC stimulation at 20 bites/min. This is the maximum feeding rate of intact Lymnaea in sucrose. Facilitation is mimicked by bath applied octopamine at 5 microM. Facilitation is specific to OC interneurons, as the same prestimulation of the electrically coupled neuron N3P (central pattern generator) interneurons does not affect the feeding rhythm. The OC interneuron acts as a long term, polycyclic modulator, which peaks several feeding cycles after the OC activity.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

PubMed2000

Octopamine is the synaptic transmitter between identified neurons in the buccal feeding network of the pond snail lymnaea stagnalis.

We report the pharmacological properties of synaptic connections from the three octopamine-containing OC interneurons to identified buccal feeding neurons in the pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis. Intracellular stimulation of an OC interneuron evokes inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in the B3 motoneurons and N2 (d) interneurons, while the synapse between OC and N3 (phasic) interneurons has two components: an initial electrical excitation followed by chemical inhibition. All synaptic responses persist in a saline with elevated calcium and magnesium suggesting that the connections are monosynaptic. Local perfusion of 10(-4) M octopamine produces the same inhibitory membrane responses from these buccal neurons as OC stimulation. These responses also persist in high Mg(2+)/Ca(2+) saline indicating direct membrane effects. The similarities in reversal potentials for the synaptic hyperpolarization evoked on B3 neurons after OC stimulation (-89.0 mV, S.E.M.=14.1, n=10) and the octopamine response of the B3 neurons (-84.7 mV, S.E.M.=6.6, n=6) indicate that increased K(+)-conductance underlies both responses. Bath application of the octopaminergic drugs phentolamine (10(-6) M), epinastine (10(-6) M) or DCDM (10(-4) M) blocks the inhibitory synapse onto B3 or N2 neurons and the chemical component of the N3 response. They also block the octopamine-evoked inhibition of B3, N2 and N3 neurons. NC-7 (2x10(-5) M) has a hyperpolarizing agonist effect (like octopamine) on these neurons and also blocks their chemical synaptic input from the OC interneurons. These results provide pharmacological evidence that the neurotransmitter between the octopamine-immunopositive OC interneurons and its followers is octopamine. This is the first example of identified octopaminergic synaptic connections within the snail CNS.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2000

Comparative pharmacology of feeding in molluscs.

1. This paper reviews the role of transmitters in identified neurons of gastropod molluscs in generating and modulating fictive feeding. 2. In Lymnaea and Helisoma the 3 phase rhythm is generated by sets of interneurons which use acetylcholine for the N1 (protraction) phase, glutamate for the N2 (rasp) phase interneurons. The N3 interneurons are likely to use several different transmitters, of which one is octopamine. 3. In all the species examined, serotonin (5-HT) is released from giant cerebral cells. Other amines, including dopamine and octopamine, are present in the buccal ganglia and all these amines activate or enhance feeding. 4. Nitric oxide (NO), mostly originating from sensory processes, can also activate fictive feeding, but (at least in Lymnaea) may also be released centrally from buccal (B2) and cerebral neurons (CGC). 5. The central pattern generator for feeding is also modulated by peptides including APGWamide, SCP(B) and FMRFamide. 6. There is increasing evidence that most of these transmitters/modulators act on feeding neurons through second messenger systems--allowing them to act as longer-lasting neuromodulators of the feeding network. 7. Many of the transmitters are used in similar ways by each of the gastropods examined so far, so that their function in the CNS seems to have been conserved through evolution.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed2000

The octopamine-containing buccal neurons are a new group of feeding interneurons in the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis.

In the pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, the paired buccal ganglia contain 3 octopamine-immunoreactive neurons, which have previously been shown to be part of the feeding network. All 3 OC cells are electrically coupled together and interact with all the known buccal feeding motoneurons, as well as with all the modulatory and central pattern generating interneurons in the buccal ganglia. N1 (protraction) phase neurons: Motoneurons firing in this phase of the feeding cycle receive either single excitatory (depolarising) synaptic inputs (B1, B6 neurons) or a biphasic response (hyperpolarisation followed by depolarisation) (B5, B7 motoneurons). Protraction phase feeding interneurons (SO, N1L, NIM) also receive this biphasic synaptic input after OC stimulation. All of protraction phase interneurons inhibit the OC neurons. N2 (retraction) phase neurons: These motoneurons (B2, B3, B9, B10) and N2 interneurons are hyperpolarised by OC stimulation. N2 interneurons have a variable (probably polysynaptic) effect on the activity of the OC neurons. N3 (swallowing) phase: OC neurons are strongly electrically coupled to both N3 phase (B4, B4cluster, B8) motoneurons and to the N3p interneurons. In case of the interneuronal connection (OC<->N3) the electrical synapse is supplemented by reciprocal chemical inhibition. However, the synaptic connections formed by the OC neurons or N3p interneurons to the other members of the feeding network are not identical. CGC: The cerebral, serotonergic CGC neurons excite the OC cells, but the OC neurons have no effect on the CGC activity. In addition to direct synaptic effects, the OC neurons also evoke long-lasting changes in the activity of feeding neurons. In a silent preparation, OC stimulation may start the feeding pattern, but when fictive feeding is already occurring, OC stimulation decreases the rate of the fictive feeding. Our results suggest that the octopaminergic OC neurons form a sub-population of N3 phase feeding interneurons, different from the previously identified N3p and N3t interneurons. The long-lasting effects of OC neurons suggest that they straddle the boundary between central pattern generator and modulatory neurons.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

The hybrid modulatory/pattern generating N1L interneuron in the buccal feeding system of Lymnaea is cholinergic.

This study examines neurotransmission between identified buccal interneurons in the feeding system of the snail Lymnaea stagnalis. We compare the pharmacology of the individual synaptic connections from a hybrid modulatory/pattern generating interneuron (N1L) to a pattern generating interneuron (N1M) with that from a modulatory interneuron (SO) to the same follower cell (N1M). The pharmacological properties of the N1L to N1M and the SO to N1M connections closely resemble each other. Both interneurons produce fast cholinergic EPSPs as judged by the blocking effects of cholinergic antagonists hexamethonium, d-tubocurarine and the cholinergic neurotoxin AF-64A. A slower, more complex but non-cholinergic component of the synaptic response is also present after stimulating either the presynaptic N1L or SO interneurons. This second component of the postsynaptic response is not dopaminergic, on the basis of its persistence in the presence of dopaminergic antagonists ergometrine and fluphenazine and the dopaminergic neurotoxin MPP+. We conclude that, although there has been an evolutionary divergence in function, the modulatory SO and the hybrid modulatory/pattern generating N1L are pharmacologically similar. Neither of them contributes directly to dopaminergic modulation of the feeding activity. These neurons also resemble the N1M protraction phase pattern generating neurons which are cholinergic (Elliott and Kemenes, 1992).

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Novel interneuron having hybrid modulatory-central pattern generator properties in the feeding system of the snail, Lymnaea stagnalis.

1. We used intracellular recording techniques to examine the role of a novel type of protraction phase interneuron, the lateral N1 (N1L) in the feeding system of the snail Lymnaea stagnalis. 2. The N1Ls are a bilaterally symmetrical pair of electrotonically coupled interneurons located in the buccal ganglia. Each N1L sends a single axon to the contralateral buccal ganglia. Their neurite processes are confined to the buccal neuropile. 3. In the isolated CNS, depolarization of an N1L is capable of driving a full (N1-->N2-->N3), fast (1 cycle every 5 s) fictive feeding rhythm. This was unlike the previously described N1 medial (N1M) central pattern generator (CPG) interneurons that were only capable of driving a slow, irregular rhythm. Attempts to control the frequency of the fictive feeding rhythm by injecting varying amounts of steady current into the N1Ls were unsuccessful. This contrasts with a modulatory neuron, the slow oscillator (SO), that has very similar firing patterns to the N1Ls, but where the frequency of the rhythm depends on the level of injected current. 4. The N1Ls' ability to drive a fictive feeding rhythm in the isolated preparation was due to their strong, monosynaptic excitatory chemical connection with the N1M CPG interneurons. Bursts of spikes in the N1Ls generated summating excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in the N1Ms to drive them to firing. The SO excited the N1M cells in a similar way, but the EPSPs are strongly facilitatory, unlike the N1L-->N1M connection. 5. Fast (1 cycle every 5 s) fictive feeding rhythms driven by the N1L occurred in the absence of spike activity in the SO modulatory neuron. In contrast, the N1L was usually active in SO-driven rhythms. 6. The ability of the SO to drive the N1L was due to strong electrotonic coupling, SO-->N1L. The weaker coupling in the opposite direction, N1L-->SO, did not allow the N1L to drive the SO. 7. Experiments on semintact lip-brain preparations allowed fictive feeding to be evoked by application of 0.1 M sucrose to the lips (mimicking the normal sensory input) rather than by injection of depolarizing current. Rhythmic bursting, characteristic of fictive feeding, began in both the SO and N1L at exactly the same time, indicating that these two cell types are activated in "parallel" to drive the feeding rhythm. 8. The N1L is also part of the CPG network. It Excited the N2s and inhibited the N3 phasic (N3p) and N3 tonic (N3t) CPG interneurons like the N1Ms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Neurophysiological correlates of tactile stimulus-induced whole-body eversion, a novel type of behavior in the snail Helix pomatia L.

Repeated weak tactile stimuli to the exposed skin of the foot of withdrawn snails (Helix pomatia L.) result in a rapid whole-body eversion response not previously described. We studied the neurophysiological correlates of this novel type of behavior in semi-intact preparations consisting of the foot, pneumostome and mantle collar attached to the CNS. The pneumostome opening component of the eversion response is retained in semi-intact preparations and can be triggered by a series of weak tactile stimuli to the foot. The same stimuli also strongly excite a giant neuron (LPd7) in the pedal ganglion. This cell has axon branches in the anal and left pallial nerve which innervate the pneumostome and mantle collar. Intracellular stimulation of LPd7 causes the pneumostome to open. Bursts of spikes in LPd7 also lead to contractions of a specific group of muscles in the mantle collar innervated by the left pallial nerve. Both responses are retained when the CNS is bathed in high Mg2+/0 Ca2+ saline but the mantle response has a much shorter latency than the opening of the pneumostome. We conclude that LPd7 is an efferent neuron which causes opening of the pneumostome via a peripheral pathway in the mantle collar and may also be a motoneuron of muscles in the mantle collar. Besides its pneumostome-opener and putative mantle motoneuron function, the LPd7 cell also triggers movements of the foot which are also part of the eversion sequence in intact snails. The LPd7 cell receives excitatory input from neurons which trigger withdrawal reactions in active snails. The excitation is due to peripheral interactions between the two cell types and leads to opening of the closed pneumostome following brief aversive stimuli. We suggest that LPd7 is part of a novel putative neuronal network underlying the described eversive reaction to tactile stimuli.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Serotonergic input on identified command neurons in Helix.

In Helix, serotonin evokes long-lasting alteration of activity of withdrawal triggering neurons. Cell bodies of these neurones are surrounded by a dense network of serotonin-containing fibres without any synaptic membrane specializations, which confirm the suggestion on the non-synaptic, modulatory action of serotonin on the withdrawal command elements.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Ultrastructural, biochemical and electrophysiological changes induced by 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine in the CNS of the snail Helix pomatia L.

The serotonin neurotoxin, 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine (5,6-DHT), was injected into the body cavity of snails. Changes induced in the central nervous system (CNS) by the neurotoxin were studied by morphological, electrophysiological and biochemical techniques for up to 90 days following injection. The neurotoxin induced a variety of ultrastructural alterations during the early phase (1st to 6th days) following treatment. On day 6 after treatment, membranous structures first appeared in the synaptic-like areas and apparently migrated to cell bodies where they were detected by day 14. Their number increased with time. Neurotoxin-induced structural alterations were found in neuronal processes and cell bodies of the serotonergic metacerebral giant cells injected intracellularly with horseradish peroxidase and in serotonin immunoreactive axons. These findings suggest that the toxin-induced alterations are rather selective for the serotonin-containing neuronal elements. The neurotoxin decreased the concentration of 5-HT in and [3H]5-HT uptake into cerebral and pedal ganglia, with a maximum effect between the 3rd and 5th day following drug administration. 5-HT levels and 5-HT uptake returned to normal by 19-21 days after treatment. The concentration of dopamine and of [3H]DA uptake capacity were reduced between 3-5 days after injection of 5,6-DHT by 6-7 days following treatment. The transmission from identified serotonergic synapses to targets was reduced beyond day 5 after 5,6-DHT administration. By 15 days after treatment, synaptic transmission between the metacerebral giant cell (MGC) and buccal followers was blocked. Transmission recovered by day 21 after 5,6-DHT. Comparison of the time-course of functional and structural recovery indicates that while functional recovery takes place within 21 days after treatment, certain structural alterations, e.g. the membranous structures and dense particles, remain in the nerve fibres and cell bodies. These may serve as specific intracellular markers of the serotonin-containing neuronal elements long after functional recovery from the effect of 5,6-DHT.

5,6-Dihydroxytryptamine↗

PubMed1991

An analysis of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor subtypes of central neurones of Helix aspersa.

1. Intracellular recordings were made from identified neurones in the central nervous system of Helix aspersa. Two types of cell were used, those excited by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and acetylcholine and those inhibited by 5-HT and dopamine. The actions of a range of 5-HT agonists and antagonists were tested for their ability to interact with 5-HT receptors. 2. 5-Carboxyamidotryptamine, alpha-methyl-5-HT and N-methyl-5-HT were active on cells excited by 5-HT, with similar potencies to 5-HT. Only 5-carboxyamidotryptamine and 5-methoxytryptamine were equiactive with 5-HT on cells inhibited by 5-HT. Most of the non-indole analogues were inactive or very weak agonists on both receptors. 3. MDL 72222 was the most active antagonist tested against 5-HT excitation, showing some selectivity for 5-HT over acetylcholine. Cinanserin and ketanserin also showed selectivity for 5-HT over acetylcholine. 4. Tryptamine was inhibitory on both cell types and was a potent antagonist of 5-HT excitation, showing selectivity for 5-HT over acetylcholine. 5. It is concluded that the 5-HT excitatory receptor recognizes the indole nucleus with substitution on position 5, save for 5-fluorotryptamine which was inhibitory. It does not appear that these 5-HT receptors can be classified in terms of the vertebrate subtypes of 5-HT receptor. However, it should be noted that only two receptor subtypes located on a small number of neurones were studied in these experiments and other 5-HT receptor suptypes may be located on other groups of neurones and peripheral tissues. These receptors may recognize other 5-HT receptor ligands including non-indoles.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Monosynaptic connections between serotonin-containing neurones labelled by 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine-induced pigmentation in the snail Helix pomatia L.

Microelectrophysiological experiments were carried out on in vivo 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine-induced pigment-labelled serotonin-containing neurones of Helix pomatia. Excitatory chemical monosynaptic connections were found between the giant pedal LP3 neurone and several follower cells in the visceral and right parietal ganglia. These neurones have previously been described to be involved in regulation of visceral functions. Monitoring changes in identified monosynaptic connections between pairs of serotonin-containing neurones aids the cellular analysis of behavioural plasticity.

5,6-Dihydroxytryptamine↗

PubMed1988

[Neurons of the edible snail involved in controlling the rhythmic movements of the pneumostome].

Three neurons in left parietal ganglion of Helix pomatia have been described that can have a synchronous burst activity and involve rhythmic movements of the pneumostome. It is shown that the burst activity of these cells is a result of synchronous giant IPSP in one case and of generation of the membrane potential slow waves in another one. There is no synaptic or electrical connection between three cells. Serotonin stimulates generation of the membrane potential waves and burst activity by all three neurons. Investigation on isolated cells shows that these cells are not endogenic oscillators. Isolated neurons never have the burst spike activity, but only pronounced regulated one. Study on semi-intact preparations shows that the above neurons control rhythmic movements of the pneumostome.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Effect of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine on the food-aversive conditioning in the snail Helix lucorum L.

The effects of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT), a drug which selectively ablates serotonergic terminals, were examined on acquisition of food-aversive conditioned reflex in the snail Helix lucorum. The percent of feeding reactions decreased from 80 to 15% in the conditioned group of animals after 5-8 pairings of food and electric shock. The behavioral performance of 5,7-DHT-injected animals after the same training session coincided with the data received from the unpaired control group: the percent of feeding reactions remained the same as before the training. Conditioning was carried out on the semi-intact 'lip-CNS' preparations as well. Intracellular recordings from the neurons responding to the withdrawal reaction confirmed the results of the behavioral experiments. Elaboration of associative changes was effective on preparations made from normal snails, whereas no changes were noted in 5,7-DHT-treated and pseudoconditioned animals. In 5,7-DHT-treated animals some components of the feeding behavior and withdrawal reaction changed as well. The appetitive phase duration of feeding lengthened significantly, moreover the sensitization of the withdrawal reaction evoked by rhythmic tactile stimulation disappeared in preparations made from drug-treated snails.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine↗

PubMed1983

Ultrastructure of synaptic connections of a bimodal pacemaker giant neuron in the central nervous system of Helix pomatia L.

Following intracellular labelling with horseradish peroxidase, the arborization and synaptic connections of the bimodal pacemaker giant neuron (RPal) of Helix pomatia were investigated in the right parietal and visceral ganglia. The RPal neuron possesses extensive axonal branching, the elements of which could be observed and traced within the entire neuropil region of both ganglia. The main axonal branches showed further arborization. The thin axon processes enter the synaptic neuropil, where they receive numerous synapses. At least six ultra-structurally different terminals form synaptic contacts on peroxidase-labelled axon processes of the cell. On the basis of their vesicle and granule content, they are likely to contain different neurotransmitters. Some intraganglionic efferent contacts of the RPal neuron were also observed. It is suggested that, besides its peripheral efferent connections, this cell might also serve as an interneuron.

Afferent Pathways↗

PubMed1983

Pharmacological characterization of postsynaptic potentials evoked in the bimodal pacemaker neuron of Helix pomatia L.

Stimulation of various peripheral nerve trunks evokes very similar compound postsynaptic potentials (PSP) composed of one or more excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSP) followed by fast and slow inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSP) on the identified RPal neuron of Helix pomatia L. Evoked EPSPs were reduced or blocked by nicotine, atropine and d-tubocurarine. The two components of IPSP were different in their pharmacological sensitivity. Slow IPSP was partly or totally eliminated by ergometrine and chlorpromazine and was reduced by atropine, nicotine as well as by propranolol. Fast IPSP was reduced only in the presence of ergometrine and could not be blocked by either of the applied drugs. Participation of cholinergic transmission seems to be essential in the evoked EPSP but its partial involvement in the slow IPSP can also be supposed. A dopaminergic mechanism may take part in the generation of both components of IPSP but the receptors responsible for the slow IPSP were sensitive to other catecholamine antagonists as well, referring to a more complex origin, or to the involvement of an unknown transmitter. Comparison of PSPs evoked by stimulation of different nerves shows that presynaptic areas belonging to various peripheral sources are overlapped on the RPal neuron, and they probably act by similar transmitter substances.

Animals↗