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Penicillin as epileptogenic agent: its effect on an isolated neuron
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|February 27, 1970
Summary
Penicillin reduces the neuronal membrane threshold for impulse initiation in crayfish. This suggests penicillin may create epileptic foci in mammals by lowering neuronal excitability.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Penicillin is known to induce epileptic seizures when applied to the mammalian cerebral cortex.
- The precise mechanism by which penicillin induces epileptic foci remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of penicillin on neuronal excitability.
- To explore the potential mechanism of penicillin-induced epileptic foci.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological recordings from crayfish stretch receptor neurons.
- Application of penicillin to the neuronal membrane.
Main Results:
- Penicillin induced a partial depolarization of the neuronal membrane.
- Penicillin increased the excitability of the neuronal membrane.
Conclusions:
- Penicillin's effects on neuronal excitability suggest a mechanism for epileptic focus formation.
- Lowering the threshold for impulse initiation by excitatory synaptic action may underlie penicillin-induced epilepsy.