[Induction of slow membrane potential oscillations and burst activity in neuron PPa1 of Helix pomatia by a calcium ionophore and serotonin].

The nonbursting pattern of activity of the neuron RPa1 in preparations from dormant snails Helix lucorum was reversibly transformed into the bursting one by addition of Ca-ionophore A23187 (10(-6)-10(-5) M) or serotonin (10(-5)-10(-4) M) into the saline. The slow waves underlying bursts disappeared in presence of quinine (10(-4) M) thus suggesting involvement of Ca-dependent K-conductance in the mechanism of burst generation.