USE OF CONVULSANTS IN STUDYING POSSIBLE FUNCTIONS OF AMINO ACIDS IN TOAD SPINAL CORD

1. 1. Amino acids and convulsants were applied topically to the toad spinal cord. 2. 2. l-Glutamic acid produced depolarizations in dorsal and ventral roots. 3. 3. GABA produced depolarizations in dorsal roots and both depolarizations and hyperpolarizations in ventral roots. 4. 4. β-Alanine and glycine were generally comparable to GABA but sometimes caused hyperpolarizations in dorsal roots. 5. 5. Picrotoxin reduced the depolarizing effects of l-glutamic acid and GABA on dorsal roots, and depressed dorsal root reflexes. 6. 6. Strychnine blocked the hyperpolarizing effects of β-alanine and glycine, but not of GABA, on ventral roots. © 1969.