Abstract
The action of narcotics and other drugs on electrical activity of neurons in the guinea pig myenteric plexus was examined by extracellular recording with a suction electrode. Morphine, in a stereospecific and naloxone-sensitive action, inhibits spontaneous electrical activity of many neurons, and antagonizes an increased firing rate caused by serotonin or nicotine. The inhibition by morphine of spontaneous electrical activity occurs under conditions of synaptic transmission blockade, which renders unlikely several possible synaptic mechanisms in the primary effect of opiates. Morphine was found not to alter conduction velocity of myenteric neurons. It is concluded that morphine probably acts to reduce the excitability of a class of myenteric plexus neurons, perhaps by hyperpolarizing or stabilizing the membrane potential.
Published Version
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