Abstract
The effect of topically applied strychnine has been studied on pyramidal-and non-pyramidal tract neurons in cats' cerebral motor cortex by means of a micro-electrode technique under barbiturate anesthesia.
In spontaneous activities of the neuron, the most common intracellular potential changes appear to be 1) a progressive increase of depolarizing waves (EPSPs) leading to the formation of long-lasting depolarizing waves (summated EPSPs) and 2) an increase and then a decrease of hyperpolarizing waves (IPSPs) through an advancing course of strychninization. Single shocks to the medullary pyramid have elicited almost the same changes in the responses of the neurons during strychninization.
Our interpretation of the action of strychnine is that it facilitates both the excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission and that the excitatory synaptic transmission remains active after the inhibitory one has been blocked.
