The Effects of Hydrazines on Neuronal Excitability
Abstract
Hydrazines are toxic compounds which have numerous military and industrial applications including their use in missile propellants and advanced aircraft such as the F-16 and space vehicles. Because of the recurrent exposure due to routine storage use and disposal of these compounds, understanding their toxic effects on the nervous system is important in the aerospace field. Toxic exposure to hydrazine can result in status epilepticus and eventual respiratory collapse. Acute hydrazines exposure can produce repeated tonic-clonic seizures in animals and man. This project has continued to direct its effort in understanding the molecular mechanism by which hydrazines may produce their neuronal excitatory effects. We have continued and expanded our investigation of the effects of hydrazine on specific electrophysiological properties on identified neurons in the invertebrate Hermissenda Crassicornis and have expanded these studies to investigate the effects of hydrazine on isolated neurons in culture. Our studies have documented that hydrazines increase neuronal excitability in the LP-1 neuron of this nudibranch mollusc. Studies have been directed at further establishing the technical capability of investigating the effects of hydrazines on the rate of sustained repetitive firing. It has been shown that hydrazines increase the rate of sustained repetitive firing in this system. Studies have also been initiated to elucidate the molecular mechanism mediating the effects of hydrazine on increased neuronal firing in isolated neurons. Initial studies indicate that hydrazines have selective effects on calcium currents studies under voltage clamp techniques.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 10, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA247103
Entities
People
- Robert J. Delorenzo
Organizations
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine