The ionic mechanism of the pentylenetetrazol convulsions.

The ionic dependence and the nature of conductance was examined at slowly inactivating inward current in metacerebral giant cells of Helix pomatia, induced by 50 mM pentylenetetrazol. Ramp and square wave depolarizations in voltage clamp mode revealed, that withdrawal of sodium ions prevented this current to flow. While TTX was ineffective, Mn, Co and Ni-ions and verapamil blocked the current. It is concluded that PTZ, especially in presence of TEA impairs calcium channels, which loose their specificity and transmit sodium ions, with very slow kinetics.