Abstract
The molecular mode of action of alcohol in the central nervous system (CN) is unclear1. The effects of ethanol on axonal action potentials can only be measured at concentrations which are very much higher than those required to produce central effects2. At the frog neuromuscular junction similar concentrations increase the open time (τ) of the ion channel associated with the nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor3. We have now investigated the effect of ethanol on the postsynaptic membrane of the frog neuromuscular junction by measuring equilibrium dose–response curves for the interaction between the neuro-transmitter (ACh) and the ACh receptors. Using this system, we found that ethanol produces significant changes in receptor function. Moreover, we found that at an ethanol concentration which can be physiologically tolerated by man (0.2%) the dose–response curve is measurably affected.
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
Roth, S. H. A. Rev. Pharmac. Tox. 19, 159–178 (1979).
Israel, Y., Rosenman, E., Hein, S. & Colombo, G. in Biological Basis of Alcoholism (eds Israel, Y. & Mardones, J) 53–61 (Wiley, New York, 1971).
Gage, P. W., McBurney, R. N. & Schneider, G. T. J. Physiol., Lond. 244, 409–430 (1975).
Kölliker, A. Z. wiss. Zool. 12, 149–157 (1863).
Dreyer, F. & Peper, K. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. 348, 257–262 (1974).
McMahan, V. J., Spitzer, N. C. & Peper, K. Proc. R. Soc. B181, 421–430 (1972).
Nastuk, W. L. Fedn Proc. 12, 102 (1962).
Katz, B. & Miledi, R. J. Physiol., Lond. 224, 665–699 (1972).
Anderson, C. R. & Stevens, C. F. J. Physiol., Lond. 235, 655–699 (1973).
Peper, K., Dreyer, F. & Müller, K.-D. Cold Spring Harb. Symp. quant. Biol. 40, 187–192 (1976).
Dreyer, F. & Peper, K. Nature 253, 641 (1975).
Dreyer, F., Peper, K. & Sterz, R. J. Physiol., Lond. 281, 395–419 (1978).
Dionne, V. E., Steinbach, J. H. & Stevens, C. F. J. Physiol., Lond. 281, 421–444 (1978).
Emser, W., Sterz, R., Peper, K. & Bradley, R. J. Neurol. (submitted).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bradley, R., Peper, K. & Sterz, R. Postsynaptic effects of ethanol at the frog neuromuscular junction. Nature 284, 60–62 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/284060a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/284060a0
This article is cited by
-
Inhibition of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor by barbiturates and by procaine: Do they act at different sites?
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology (1993)
-
Ethanol effects on voltage-dependent membrane conductances: comparative sensitivity of channel populations inAplysia neurons
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology (1986)
-
Postsynaptic actions of ethanol and methanol in crayfish neuromuscular junctions
Pfl�gers Archiv European Journal of Physiology (1984)
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.
