Effects of n-alkanols on the calcium current of intracellularly perfused neurons of Helix aspersa.

The effects of n-alkanols on the calcium current (ICa) were studied in molluscan neurons perfused intracellularly and voltage clamped using a suction pipette technique. All n-alkanols employed in this experiment (methanol, ethanol and butanol) decreased the peak amplitude of ICa and caused acceleration of the decay of ICa in a dose-dependent manner at all membrane potentials. The concentrations of n-alkanols required for these actions decreased as the hydrocarbon chain increased in length. The results suggest that these effects on the ICa of molluscan neurons may be related to the lipophilic properties of n-alkanols.