[Different effects of the replacement of extracellular sodium with lithium on the abnormal spike discharges caused by 2 convulsants, Metrazol and strychnine, on an identifiable giant neuron of the mollusc Achatina fulica Ferussac].

The influences of the replacement of sodium with lithium in the extracellular medium on the abnormal spike discharges, caused by two convulsants, metrazol and strychnine, of a giant neurone (TAN, tonically autoactive neurone) identified in the suboesophageal ganglia of the African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac) were examined. The slow oscillations of potential caused by metrazol disappeared after this replacement. On the other hand, the abnormal action potentials caused by strychnine, as well as the normal action potentials, still remained after the removal of sodium in the medium.