EFFECTS OF KETAMINE AND OF HIGH PRESSURE ON THE RESPONSES TO γ‐AMINOBUTYRIC ACID OF THE RAT SUPERIOR CERVICAL GANGLION in vitro

1 The method of Brown & Marsh (1974) for recording of surface potentials from the rat superior cervical ganglion has been adapted for use in a high pressure chamber in order to study the effects of high pressure of helium and the possible interactions with the effects of general anaesthetics. 2 Helium pressure of 130 atm did not alter the amplitude of the responses recorded from the ganglion in response to γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) application (9.7 and 19.4 μm) but the amplitude of responses to a nicotinic agonist were depressed. 3 Ketamine, at concentrations between 18 and 180 μm, considerably potentiated the responses of the ganglion to GABA. 4 Helium pressure (130 atm) did not reverse the potentiation of GABA by ketamine. 5 The results are discussed in connection with the ability of ketamine to oppose the behavioural effects of high pressure.

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