Salicylate: Effect on Membrane Permeability of Molluscan Neurons

Identified cells in the buccal ganglion of the marine mollusk Navanax inermis were exposed to salicylate (1 to 30 millimoles per liter) for short periods. Salicylate increased the permneability to potassium and decreased the permeability to chloride in a reversible, dose-dependent manner, producing a concomitant increase in membrane potential and a decrease in membrane resistance. These events would reduce the output from, as well as the effectiveness of synaptic input to, a particular neuron.