Inhibition of contractions of nerve processes in calcium-free medium.

The possibility of blocking contractile activity of damaged neurites was studied on viable isolated neurons from Lymnaea stagnalis mollusks. Retraction was blocked in more than 80% cells plunged in Ringer's solution free from Ca(2+) or containing 20 mM CoCl(2). Nimodipine and nitrendipine significantly inhibited neurite contractions. Inhibition of neurite contractile activity can be useful for reducing diastasis after nerve crossing.