ABSTRACT
Since electrical signals generated by nerve and muscle cells are the primary manifestation of excitation, it is imperative to utilize electrophys iological techniques to study the mechanisms of action of toxicants on the nerve and muscle system. Excitation is associated with membrane potential changes and ionic fluxes across the membrane and occurs in a matter of milliseconds, so that conventional biochemical and isotope measurements are too slow to follow the event. Substantial developments in the field of cellular electrophysiology have made it possible to apply advanced technology to the study of neurotoxicology. This chapter gives a brief account of the basic concepts of nerve excitation and electrophysiological techniques, and a few examples of the current studies.
