Abstract
THE indirectly developed maximal twitch tension of vertebrate muscle is sometimes augmented after periods of tetanic nerve stimulations an effect generally called post-tetanic potentiation. This effect is further increased by the administration, prior to tetanic conditioning, of physostigmine in doses which in themselves are too small to facilitate twitch tension1. Physostigmine2 and also other agents which elicit twitch potentiation, for example neostigmine3 and m-hydroxy phenyltrialkylammonium ions4, have been shown to possess an action on motor nerve terminals which is revealed by bursts of repetitive antidromic nerve discharge appearing after single orthodromic volleys. Furthermore, this presynaptic activity is greatly facilitated by tetanic conditioning of the motor nerve5. Within the context of these observations, it seemed important to compare drug-induced twitch potentiation before and after periods of repetitive motor nerve stimulation.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Feng, T. P., Lee, L. Y., Meng, C. W., and Wang, S. C., Chin. J. Physiol., 13, 79 (1938).
Feng, T. P., and Li, T. H., Chin. J. Physiol., 16, 37 (1941).
Masland, R. L., and Wigton, R. S., J. Neurophysiol., 3, 269 (1940).
Riker, W. F., Werner, G., Roberts, J., and Kuperman, A. S., J. Pharmacol. and Exp. Therap., 125, 150 (1959).
Werner, G., J. Neurophysiol., 23, 171 (1960).
Kuperman, A. S., Gill, E. W., and Riker, W. F., J. Pharmacol. and Exp. Therap. (in the press).
Hutter, O. F., J. Physiol., 118, 216 (1952).
Liley, A. W., and North, K. A. K., J. Neurophysiol., 16, 509 (1953).
Brooks, V. B., J. Physiol., 134, 264 (1956).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
KUPERMAN, A., WERNER, G. Interaction between Repetitive Nerve Stimulation and Twitch-potentiating Agents at the Neuromuscular Junction. Nature 188, 1032–1033 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1038/1881032a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1881032a0
This article is cited by
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.