Long-term effect of 6-hydroxydopamine on identified central neurons involved in control of visceral functions in Helix pomatia L.

Following 6-OHDA treatment of Helix pomatia the nerve cells and connective tissue covering the ganglia become colored. The heart rate increased, the membrane potential of neurons was elevated while the action potentials were generated without overshoot. The activity pattern of identified cells changed dramatically in the treated animals, among others the bursting neuron become silent. The sensory input running from the cardio-renal system to motor- and interneurons was disturbed after 6-OHDA treatment. The IPSPs and ILDs evoked by heart stimulation on the identified cells in control snails were eliminated after 6-OHDA treatment.