TY - JOUR T1 - SELECTIVE DEPRESSION OF <em>ALPHA</em> MOTONEURONS OF SMALL SIZE BY ETHER JF - Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO - J Pharmacol Exp Ther SP - 380 LP - 385 VL - 148 IS - 3 AU - G. Somjen AU - D. Carpenter AU - E. Henneman Y1 - 1965/06/01 UR - http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/148/3/380.abstract N2 - The effect of ether and barbiturates on the order of recruitment of spinal motoneurons in the stretch reflex of decerebrate cats has been studied. In 38 out of 99 combinations of two's (pairs of motoneurons whose behavior was compared before, during and after the action of the anesthetic drug) the smaller cell appeared to be more susceptible to the depressant action of the anesthetic drug than the larger cell, even though in the unanesthetized state the smaller cell was more excitable. The probable cause of the high susceptibility to anesthetic drugs of some neurons is discussed. The Williams &amp; Wilkins Comapny ER -