Actions of certain amines on cerebral cortical neurones.

A number of derivatives of tryptamine and phenethylamine, and certain other compounds, were tested on neurones in the cerebral cortex of cats by iontophoretic release from micro-pipettes. The characteristic action of many of these compounds was a depression of the neuronal discharge initiated by synaptic activity or by the application of L-glutamate; imidazolylacetic acid, dopamine, ephedrine and ergometrine were particularly effective. Catechol amines, hydroxytryptamines and imidazolylacetic acid had a relatively quick and rapidly reversible action, not unlike that of gamma-aminobutyric acid, whereas ephedrine and derivatives of lysergic acid diethylamide caused a slower and more prolonged depression of the amplitude of spikes, rather like atropine. Several compounds, including 5-hydroxytryptamine, adrenaline and ergometrine, could also excite the same neurone when larger amounts were applied. A few substances, such as dopa and methylergometrine, had a predominantly excitant action.