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Biphasic Effect of Calcium on Tetanic Potentiation at the Frog Neuromuscular Junction

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Calcium, Neuronal Function and Transmitter Release

Part of the book series: Topics in the Neurosciences ((TNSC,volume 1))

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Abstract

High frequency stimulation of the motor nerve produces an increase in transmitter release, termed tetanic potentation. Previous work showed that calcium ions in the extracellular medium are an important factor in generating tetanic potentiation (Rosenthal, 1969; Weinreich, 1971. Using spontaneous mepps as an indicator of transmitter release, it was suggested that accumulation of calcium ions inside the nerve terminal is largely responsible for this phenomenon (Erulkar, Rahamimoff & Rotshenker 1978; Erulkar & Rahamimoff, 1978; Lev-Tov & Rahamimoff 1980; Rahamimoff, Lev-Tov & Meiri, 1980). The increase in intracellular calcium is presumably caused by calcium entering the terminal via the surface membrane and by calcium released from intracellular stores. Regardless of its origin, it is expected that such elevated intracellular calcium may produce a change in the relationship between transmitter release and extracellular calcium.

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© 1986 Martinus Nijhoff Publishing, Boston

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Fink, R., Ginsburg, S., Rahamimoff, R. (1986). Biphasic Effect of Calcium on Tetanic Potentiation at the Frog Neuromuscular Junction. In: Rahamimoff, R., Katz, B. (eds) Calcium, Neuronal Function and Transmitter Release. Topics in the Neurosciences, vol 1. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2307-5_43

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2307-5_43

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9420-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-2307-5

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