Single channel analysis of ketamine interaction with a quisqualate receptor

Abstract The interactions of the general anaesthetic ketamine with the quisqualate-sensitive L-glutamate receptor (QUIS-R) of locust muscle have been investigated at the single channel level using a MΩ seal patch clamp technique. Low concentrations (10 −10 to 10 −9 M) of ketamine did not significantly alter the kinetics of the QUIS-R channel. Higher concentrations of ketamine decreased the probability of the channel being open, the frequency of channel opening and the channel mean open time, and increased the channel mean closed time. Probability density functions of channel dwell times indicate that during application of > 10 −8 M ketamine the distribution of channel openings becomes restricted mainly to brief events. These results are consistent with the view that ketamine blocks the open, and possibly also the closed, channel of locust muscle QUIS-R and that this anaesthetic dissociates only slowly from its blocking site(s).