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The mechanism of excitation by acetylcholine in the cerebral cortex
Author(s) -
Krnjević K.,
Pumain R.,
Renaud L.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.1971.sp009467
Subject(s) - depolarization , excitatory postsynaptic potential , acetylcholine , muscarinic acetylcholine receptor , repolarization , chemistry , neuroscience , resting potential , membrane potential , cerebral cortex , conductance , electrophysiology , cortical neurons , biophysics , medicine , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , biology , physics , biochemistry , receptor , condensed matter physics
1. The muscarinic depolarizing action of ACh on cortical neurones is associated with an increase in membrane resistance (mean Δ V /Δ R = 3·16 mV/MΩ). 2. ACh also promotes repetitive firing by slowing repolarization after spikes. 3. The depolarizing effect has a mean reversal level of −86·7 mV (with mean resting potential −56 mV). 4. It is concluded that as a muscarinic excitatory agent, ACh probably acts by reducing the resting K + conductance of cortical neurones, and also the delayed K + current of the action potential. 5. These results are discussed in relation to the possible role of ACh in cortical function.