Abstract
RECENT observations that methylpentynol, a sedative-hypnotic agent, interferes with transmission in certain cholinergic synapses1, have led to the demonstration by Marley and Paton that this action is due in part to a reduction in the output of acetylcholine, at least from the superior cervical ganglion of the cat2. In the course of work in this and other laboratories on the influence of a number of appropriate neuro-pharmacological agents on the acetylcholine content of the rat's brain, it became apparent that the administration of depressants of the central nervous system in general is followed by a rise in brain acetylcholine (unpublished work and ref. 3). It seemed essential, therefore, for us to include methylpentynol in our survey, because this central-depressant might, in the light of the findings of Marley and Paton, depress the output of acetylcholine by the brain, possibly leading to a depression of the total level of acetylcholine. On the other hand, if release of acetylcholine alone, and not its synthesis, were interfered with, one might expect an accumulation and an increase in the amount of acetylcholine in the brain.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Nicholls, J. G., and Quilliam, J. P., Brit. J. Pharmacol., 11, 151 (1956). Quilliam, J. P., Med. Press, 238, 121 (1957); and Brit. J. Pharmacol., 14, 277 (1959). Marley, E., ibid., 14, 284 (1959).
Marley, E., and Paton, W. D. M., Brit. J. Pharmacol., 14, 303 (1959).
Feldberg, W., in “Metabolism of the Nervous System”, 493, edit. by Richter, D. (London and New York, Pergamon Press, 1957).
Smallman, B. N., and Fisher, R. W., Can. J. Biochem. and Physiol., 36, 575 (1958).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
PEPEU, G., GIARMAN, N. Effect of Methylpentynol on Acetylcholine in the Rat's Brain. Nature 186, 638 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1038/186638a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/186638a0
This article is cited by
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.