[Afobazole effect on the electrical activity of neurons].

Changes in the membrane rest potential (RP), action potential (AP) and impulse activity (IA) in neurons of isolated central nervous system of Lymnaea stagnalis and Planorbarius corneus under the action of anxiolytic afobazole (2-mercaptobenzimidazole derivative) in 1, 10, 100 and 1000 microM concentrations have been studied using a microelectrode technique. It is established that afobazole produces a two-phase, dose-dependent and reversible effect on the electrical activity of neurons. Hyperpolarization by 5-8 mV in the first phase (1-100 microM) and depolarization by 8-10 mV in the second phase (1000 microM) have been observed. The corresponding changes in AP and IA parameters were due to the RP level changes related to their potential dependence and resulted from the direct activation-suppression action of afobazole on the neuron ionic currents.