DDT: Interaction with Nerve Membrane Conductance Changes

The falling phase of action potentials of lobster giant axons is prolonged by DDT; finally a plateau phase is produced like cardiac action potentials. In axons poisoned with DDT, peak transient (sodium) currents associated with step depolarizations are turned off very slowly, and steady-state (potassium) currents are markedly suppressed. These two changes would cause the prolongation of action potentials and are considered the major ionic mechanisms of DDT action.