Science, Vol 189, Issue 4207, 1009-1011
Copyright © 1975 by American Association for the Advancement of Science
Diphenylhydantoin: action of a common anticonvulsant on bursting pacemaker cells in Aplysia
D Johnston
and
GF Avala
A commonly used anticonvulsant, diphenylhydantoin (Dilantin), decreases the bursting pacemaker activity in certain cells of Aplysia. Dilantin decreases this bursting activity whether it is endogenous to the cell or induced by a convulsant agent. The sodium-dependent negative resistance characteristic which is essential for bursting behavior is reduced in the presence of Dilantin.