Ionic Mechanisms of Cholinergic Excitation in Molluscan Neurons

Acetylcholine appears to be an excitatory transmitter at synapses on two different types of molluscan nerve cells: the so-called D- and CILDA neurons. The action of this substance is different in the two cases. In D-neurons, this compound increases the permeability of the subsynaptic or somatic membrane to chloride ions, and through a net efflux of this anion, depolarizes the cell. In CILDA neurons, on the other hand, acetylcholine depolarzies the cell by increasing its permeability to sodium ions.