Carbon monoxide has varied effects on post-tetanic facilitation and depression in the crayfish neuromuscular junction

Abstract

We varied the concentration of CO in the crayfish neuromuscular junction (NMJ) to observe the effects of CO on excitatory post-synaptic potentials (EPSPs) and post-tetanic facilitation and depression. The decrease of CO in the crayfish NMJ had significant effects on post-tetanic EPSP amplitudes. Additionally, decreased CO increased post-tetanic facilitation immediately following stimulation, while increased levels of CO did not significantly affect post-tetanic facilitation except when combined with an NOS inhibitor. While we did not observe PTP as expected, we observed posttetanic facilitation and depression in the crayfish NMJ.