Graded, Irreversible Changes in Crayfish Giant Axon as Manifestations of Lidocaine Neurotoxicity In Vitro

Abstract

Highly concentrated lidocaine induced an irreversible conduction block and a complete loss of resting membrane potential in crayfish giant axons in vitro. Our results may represent a possible explanation for various grades of local anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity in clinical cases if the same toxicity occurs in mammalian nerves in vivo.