Comparison of the effects of bicuculline and strychnine on brain stem auditory evoked potentials in the cat.

1 Experiments were performed to determine the effects of intravenously applied bicuculline and strychnine on the click-evoked brain stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) of cats. 2 The BAEP was not affected by bicuculline (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) administration. Strychnine (0.2 mg/kg, i.v.) administration caused a significant increase in the amplitude of peak 4, which is thought to be produced by potentials in the superior olive, lateral lemniscus and inferior colliculus. 3 These results suggest that strychnine blocks glycinergic inhibitory inputs to these auditory structures.