The Effect of Excitation on Nerve Permeability

Summary. The effect of stimulation on the amounts of phosphate, sodium, potassium and bromide taken up by the sciatic nerve of the cat was investigated with the aid of radioactive isotopes as indicators. Stimulation was effected by condensor shocks at a rate of 50 per see. giving maximal motor reactions. In each case investigated, including the curarized animal, the stimulated nerve was found to take up more labelled ions than the resting nerve, the mean ratio of the uptakes being 1.55 ± 0.10.