Ouabain selectively affects the slow component of sensory adaptation in an insect mechanoreceptor.

Sensory activity in the cockroach tactile spine neuron adapts rapidly to a step deflection. This rapid adaptation is caused by a rise in the threshold for action potential production, which has two components with different time constants and drug sensitivities. The basis of the slow component is unknown but it is insensitive to a wide range of ion channel blockers. In the present experiments the slow component was selectively reduced by ouabain, suggesting that it is due to the activation of an electrogenic sodium pump.