title: Effects of kainic acid on synaptic transmission in electroreceptors (the ampullae of Lorenzini) of skates.
abstract: 1. Effects of kainic acid (KA) on resting and evoked activities of the ampullary electroreceptor were studied in marine skates (Raja clavata). 2. Perfusion of the basal membrane with 10(-6)-10(-9) M KA produced significant and reversible changes in impulse activity depending on initial firing rate. 3. When synaptic transmission was blocked by perfusion with elevated Mg2+, the resting and evoked activities were restored if KA was added. 4. The results are consistent with the view that KA is a potent excitant of the ampullae receptors and its effects appear to be presynaptic.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004555:Electric Fish / Q000502:physiology*; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D012860:Skates, Fish / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D008274:Magnesium; D007608:Kainic Acid