[The effect of sodium amytal on the electrophysiologic properties of snail giant neurons].

Sodium amytal increased resting potential decreased and finally abolished action potentials and temporarily decreased input resistance of the neuron membrane. Simultaneously, the intracellular potassium content decreased, but sodium content was almost unchanged. These effects are suggested to be connected with changes in the membrane potassium permeability and with disturbances in the mechanisms of action potential generation.