Electrophysiological activity of a mammalian sympathetic ganglion under hyperbaric nitrous oxide.

Abstract The action of N 2 O on the superior cervical ganglion of the rat has been studied. The electrophysiological activity of both preganglionic and postganglionic nerves as well as the transsynaptic response have been recorded extracellularly in an adequate pressure incubation chamber. Postganglionic fibers have been shown to be more resistant to N 2 O-narcosis than preganglionic fibres. The synapse narcosis is shown to occur around 10.5 atm. after an excitation phase ranging, on the P n 2 o scale, from 0 to 10 atm.