Discharge Patterns of Neurons in the Ventral Nucleus of the Lateral Lemniscus of the Unanesthetized Rabbit

1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 1097-1113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjan Batra ◽  
Douglas C. Fitzpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Discharge Pattern ◽  
Multiple Peaks ◽  
Fiber Tract ◽  
Unanesthetized Rabbit ◽  
Discharge Patterns ◽  
Ipsilateral Stimulation ◽  
Ventral Nucleus ◽  
Chopper Neurons

The ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus (VNLL) is a major auditory nucleus that sends a large projection to the inferior colliculus. Despite its prominence, the responses of neurons in the VNLL have not been extensively studied. Previous studies in nonecholocating species have used anesthesia, which is known to affect discharge patterns. In addition, there is disagreement about the proportion of neurons that are sensitive to binaural stimulation. This report examines the responses of neurons in the VNLL of the unanesthetized rabbit to monaural and binaural stimuli. Most neurons responded to contralateral tone bursts at their best frequency and had either sustained or phasic discharge patterns. A few neurons were only inhibited. Most sustained neurons were classified as short-latency sustained (SL-sustained), but a few were of long latency. Some SL-sustained neurons exhibited multiple peaks in their discharge pattern, i.e., they had a “chopper” discharge pattern, whereas other SL-sustained neurons did not exhibit this pattern. In ordinary chopper neurons, the multiple peaks corresponded to the evenly spaced action potentials of a regular discharge. In unusual chopper neurons, the action potential associated with a particular peak could fail to occur during any one presentation of the stimulus. Unusual chopper neurons had a relatively irregular discharge. Phasic neurons were of two types: onset and transient. Onset neurons typically responded with a single action potential at the onset of the tone, whereas transient neurons produced a burst of action potentials. Transient neurons were relatively rare. About half the neurons also were influenced by ipsilateral stimulation. Most binaurally influenced neurons were either sensitive to interaural temporal disparities (ITDs) or excited by contralateral stimulation and inhibited by ipsilateral stimulation. Neurons sensitive to ITDs were mostly of the onset type and were embedded in the fiber tract medial to the main part of the nucleus. Neurons inhibited by ipsilateral stimulation could be of the sustained or onset type. The sustained neurons were located on the periphery of the main nucleus as well as in the fiber tract. Most of the monaural neurons were in the main, high-density part of VNLL. The present results demonstrate that the VNLL contains neurons with a heterogeneous set of responses, and that many of the neurons are binaural.

Riesensynapsen im zentralen Hörsystem

e-Neuroforum ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Felmy ◽  
Thomas Künzel
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Time Constant ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Neuronal Function ◽  
Transmission Of Information ◽  
Giant Synapses ◽  
Ventral Nucleus ◽  
Lateral Nucleus ◽  
Trapezoid Body

AbstractGiant synapses in the central auditory system.Giant synapses occur in four nuclei of the auditory brainstem. They are characterized by numerous active zones concentrated on the soma of the postsynaptic neuron and by rapid postsynaptic currents. At these sites, in the ventral cochlear nucleus, the medial and lateral nucleus of the trapezoid body and the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus, faithful preservation of the temporal relation of action potentials to the sound - inter­cellular precision - is of uttermost importance for neuronal function. The precision of action potential transfer is supported by the largely unimodal integration and by the homogeneity of the single postsynaptic compartment. Due to the much more rapid time constant of the synaptic currents compared to the membrane time constant, membrane capacitance dominates postsynaptic integration, enhancing precision of action potential generation. Taken together, the properties of these giant synapses reduce the temporal jitter of the transmission of information in these auditory circuits.

Giant synapses in the central auditory system

e-Neuroforum ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Felmy ◽  
T. Künzel
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Time Constant ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Potential Generation ◽  
Neuronal Function ◽  
Ventral Cochlear Nucleus ◽  
Transmission Of Information ◽  
Giant Synapses ◽  
Ventral Nucleus ◽  
Trapezoid Body

AbstractGiant synapses occur in four nuclei of the au­ditory brainstem. They are characterized by numerous active zones concentrated on the soma of the postsynaptic neuron and by rap­id postsynaptic currents. At these sites, in the ventral cochlear nucleus, the medial and lat­eral nucleus of the trapezoid body and the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus, faith­ful preservation of the temporal relation of action potentials to the sound-intercellu­lar precision-is of the utmost importance for neuronal function. The precision of action potential transfer is supported by the large­ly unimodal integration and homogeneity of the single postsynaptic compartment. Due to the much more rapid time constant of the synaptic currents compared with the mem­brane time constant, membrane capacitance dominates postsynaptic integration, enhanc­ing precision of action potential generation. Taken together, the properties of these gi­ant synapses reduce the temporal jitter of the transmission of information in these audito­ry circuits.

Separation of neuron types in the gustatory zone of the nucleus tractus solitarii on the basis of intrinsic firing properties

1992 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 1659-1668 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Bradley ◽  
R. D. Sweazey
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Input Resistance ◽  
Group Iv ◽  
Nucleus Tractus Solitarii ◽  
Discharge Pattern ◽  
Membrane Hyperpolarization ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Group I ◽  
Group Ii

1. Whole-cell current-clamp recordings were made from neurons in the rostral nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) in an in vitro brain slice preparation in rats. On the basis of previous investigations, these neurons are believed to be involved with processing of gustatory as well as somatosensory information. 2. Rostral NTS neurons had a mean resting membrane potential of -47 mV. The mean input resistance was 336 M omega, and by fitting a double exponential function the membrane time constant had fast (2.3 ms) and slow (20.6 ms) components. 3. Neurons were separated into four different groups on the basis of their responses to a current injection pulse paradigm consisting of membrane hyperpolarization of different magnitudes and durations immediately followed by a long (1.200 ms) depolarizing pulse. The regular repetitive discharge pattern of the first group of neurons (Group I neurons) was changed into an irregular spike train by membrane hyperpolarization. Hyperpolarization of Group II neurons either delayed the occurrence of the first action potential or increased the length of the first interspike interval in the action-potential train produced by membrane depolarization. The length of the delay was related both to the magnitude and duration of the hyperpolarizing prepulse. Hyperpolarization had the least effect on the discharge pattern of Group III neurons. The discharge pattern of Group IV neurons consisted of a short burst of action potentials that was often shortened by prior hyperpolarization of the neuron. 4. Differences exist in other intrinsic properties of the four neuron groups. Group I and III neurons were capable of initiating the highest frequency of action potentials to a 100-pA 1,200-ms depolarizing pulse. In response to a short depolarizing pulse. Group II neurons had the longest latency to the first spike and responded with the fewest action potentials. Group IV neurons tended to have higher input resistance and membrane time constants than the other neuron groups. A subset of neurons in each neuron group showed membrane afterhyperpolarizations (AHP) after depolarization-induced action-potential trains (postburst AHP). Postburst AHP amplitudes ranged from 1.0 to 12.9 mV and were of greatest magnitude in Group II neurons. Postburst AHP durations ranged from 75 to 3,538 ms and were of longest duration in neurons belonging to Group III. Group II neurons, which had the largest postburst AHP magnitude, had the shortest postburst AHP duration. 5. These results demonstrate that neurons in the rostral NTS can be separated on the basis of their intrinsic membrane properties.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Calcium Dynamics and Compartmentalization in Leech Neurons

2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 4430-4440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofija Andjelic ◽  
Vincent Torre
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Action Potential ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Ccd Camera ◽  
Calcium Dynamics ◽  
Single Action ◽  
Single Action Potential ◽  
Calcium Indicator ◽  
Mechanosensory Neurons

Calcium dynamics in leech neurons were studied using a fast CCD camera. Fluorescence changes (Δ F/ F) of the membrane impermeable calcium indicator Oregon Green were measured. The dye was pressure injected into the soma of neurons under investigation. Δ F/ F caused by a single action potential (AP) in mechanosensory neurons had approximately the same amplitude and time course in the soma and in distal processes. By contrast, in other neurons such as the Anterior Pagoda neuron, the Annulus Erector motoneuron, the L motoneuron, and other motoneurons, APs evoked by passing depolarizing current in the soma produced much larger fluorescence changes in distal processes than in the soma. When APs were evoked by stimulating one distal axon through the root, Δ F/ F was large in all distal processes but very small in the soma. Our results show a clear compartmentalization of calcium dynamics in most leech neurons in which the soma does not give propagating action potentials. In such cells, the soma, while not excitable, can affect information processing by modulating the sites of origin and conduction of AP propagation in distal excitable processes.

scholarly journals Zinc Enhances the Inhibitory Effects of Strychnine-Sensitive Glycine Receptors in Mouse Hippocampal Neurons

2007 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
pp. 3666-3676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai Xia Zhang ◽  
Liu Lin Thio
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Glycine Receptors ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Action Potential Firing ◽  
Embryonic Mouse ◽  
Potential Firing

Although extracellular Zn2+ is an endogenous biphasic modulator of strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors (GlyRs), the physiological significance of this modulation remains poorly understood. Zn2+ modulation of GlyR may be especially important in the hippocampus where presynaptic Zn2+ is abundant. Using cultured embryonic mouse hippocampal neurons, we examined whether 1 μM Zn2+, a potentiating concentration, enhances the inhibitory effects of GlyRs activated by sustained glycine applications. Sustained 20 μM glycine (EC25) applications alone did not decrease the number of action potentials evoked by depolarizing steps, but they did in 1 μM Zn2+. At least part of this effect resulted from Zn2+ enhancing the GlyR-induced decrease in input resistance. Sustained 20 μM glycine applications alone did not alter neuronal bursting, a form of hyperexcitability induced by omitting extracellular Mg2+. However, sustained 20 μM glycine applications depressed neuronal bursting in 1 μM Zn2+. Zn2+ did not enhance the inhibitory effects of sustained 60 μM glycine (EC70) applications in these paradigms. These results suggest that tonic GlyR activation could decrease neuronal excitability. To test this possibility, we examined the effect of the GlyR antagonist strychnine and the Zn2+ chelator tricine on action potential firing by CA1 pyramidal neurons in mouse hippocampal slices. Co-applying strychnine and tricine slightly but significantly increased the number of action potentials fired during a depolarizing current step and decreased the rheobase for action potential firing. Thus Zn2+ may modulate neuronal excitability normally and in pathological conditions such as seizures by potentiating GlyRs tonically activated by low agonist concentrations.

Outward current and repolarization in hypoxic rat myocardium

1983 ◽  
Vol 244 (3) ◽  
pp. H341-H350
Author(s):  
C. H. Conrad ◽  
R. G. Mark ◽  
O. H. Bing
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Outward Current ◽  
Iodoacetic Acid ◽  
Mechanical Activity ◽  
Potential Range ◽  
Papillary Muscles ◽  
Rat Myocardium ◽  
Cable Properties ◽  
Sucrose Gap

We studied the effects of brief periods (20-30 min) of hypoxia in the presence of 5 and 50 mM glucose and of glycolytic blockade (10(-4) M iodoacetic acid, IAA) on action potentials, membrane currents, and mechanical activity in rat ventricular papillary muscles using a single sucrose gap voltage-clamp technique. Steady-state outward current (iss) was determined at the end of a 500-ms clamp to the test potential following a 600-ms clamp to a holding potential of -50 mV. In the presence of 5 mM glucose, hypoxia resulted in a decrease in action potential duration (APD) and an increase in iss (on the order of 60% at 0 mV) over the potential range studied. The increase in iss did not appear to be due to an increase in leakage current or to a change in the cable properties of the preparation. Addition of 50 mM glucose prevented the change in both APD and iss with hypoxia. In addition, glycolytic blockade with IAA did not alter iss in the presence of oxygen. We conclude that an increase in iss appears to be a major factor in the abbreviation of rat ventricular action potential seen with hypoxia. Glycolysis appears to be a sufficient (with 50 mM glucose) but not necessary source of energy for the maintenance of normal iss.

Electrophysiology of the Giant Nerve Cell Bodies of Limnaea Stagnalis (L.) (Gastropoda: Pulmonata)

1974 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 653-671
Author(s):  
D. B. SATTELLE
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Resting Potential ◽  
Constant Field ◽  
Bathing Medium ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
External Potassium ◽  
Limnaea Stagnalis

1. A mean resting potential of -53.3 (S.D. ±2.7) mV has been obtained for 23 neurones of the parietal and visceral ganglia of Limnaea stagnalis (L.). Changes in the resting potential of between 28 and 43 mV accompany tenfold changes in [K+0]. A modified constant-field equation accounts for the behaviour of most cells over the range of external potassium concentrations from 0-5 to 10.o mM/1. Mean values have been estimated for [K+1, 56.2 (S.D.± 9-0) mM/1 and PNa/PK, 0-117 (S.D.±0-028). 2. Investigations on the ionic basis of action potential generation have revealed two cell types which can be distinguished according to the behaviour of their action potentials in sodium-free Ringer. Sodium-sensitive cells are unable to support action potentials for more than 8-10 min in the absence of sodium. Sodium slopes of between 29 and 37 mV per decade change in [Na+0] have been found for these cells. Tetrodotoxin (5 x 10-5 M) usually blocks action potentials in these neurones. Calcium-free inger produces a marked reduction in the overshoot potential and calcium slopes of about 18 mV per decade change in [Ca2+o] are found. Manganous chloride only partially reduces the action potential overshoot in these cells at concentrations of 10 mM/l. 3. Sodium-insensitive neurones maintain action potentials in the absence of external sodium. Stimulation only slightly reduces the amplitude of the action potential under these conditions and such cells are readily accessible to potassium ions in the bathing medium. A calcium-slope of 29 mV per decade change in [Ca2+o] has been observed in these cells in the absence of external sodium. 4. It is concluded that both sodium and calcium ions can be involved in the generation of the action potential in neurones of Limnaea stagnate, their relative contribution varying in different cells.

Neuromodulation of Dendritic Action Potentials

1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 408-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dax A. Hoffman ◽  
Daniel Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Action Potential ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Action Potential Amplitude ◽  
Neurotransmitter System ◽  
Potential Amplitude ◽  
Hippocampal Ca1 ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurotransmitter

Hoffman, Dax A. and Daniel Johnston. Neuromodulation of dendritic action potentials. J. Neurophysiol. 81: 408–411, 1999. The extent to which regenerative action potentials invade hippocampal CA1 pyramidal dendrites is dependent on both recent activity and distance from the soma. Previously, we have shown that the amplitude of back-propagating dendritic action potentials can be increased by activating either protein kinase A (PKA) or protein kinase C (PKC) and a subsequent depolarizing shift in the activation curve for dendritic K+ channels. Physiologically, an increase in intracellular PKA and PKC would be expected upon activation of β-adrenergic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, respectively. Accordingly, we report here that activation of either of these neurotransmitter systems results in an increase in dendritic action-potential amplitude. Activation of the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system, which is also expected to raise intracellular adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and PKA levels, increased action-potential amplitude in only a subpopulation of neurons tested.

Effects of estrogen on action potential and membrane currents in guinea pig ventricular myocytes

1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (2) ◽  
pp. H826-H833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seiko Tanabe ◽  
Toshio Hata ◽  
Masayasu Hiraoka
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Action Potential ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Voltage Dependence ◽  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Membrane Currents ◽  
Patch Clamp Technique ◽  
17Β Estradiol ◽  
Electrophysiological Effects ◽  
Ionic Basis

To explore a possible ionic basis for the prolonged Q-T interval in women compared with that in men, we investigated the electrophysiological effects of estrogen in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes. Action potentials and membrane currents were recorded using the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. Application of 17β-estradiol (10–30 μM) significantly prolonged the action potential duration (APD) at 20% (APD20) and 90% repolarization (APD90) at stimulation rates of 0.1–2.0 Hz. In the presence of 30 μM 17β-estradiol, APD20 and APD90 at 0.1 Hz were prolonged by 46.2 ± 17.1 and 63.4 ± 11.7% of the control ( n = 5), respectively. In the presence of 30 μM 17β-estradiol the peak inward Ca2+ current ( I CaL) was decreased to 80.1 ± 2.5% of the control ( n = 4) without a shift in its voltage dependence. Application of 30 μM 17β-estradiol decreased the rapidly activating component of the delayed outward K+ current ( I Kr) to 63.4 ± 8% and the slowly activating component ( I Ks) to 65.8 ± 8.7% with respect to the control; the inward rectifier K+ current was barely affected. The results suggest that 17β-estradiol prolonged APD mainly by inhibiting the I Kcomponents I Krand I Ks.

Basis for tetrodotoxin and lidocaine effects on action potentials in dog ventricular myocytes

1988 ◽  
Vol 254 (6) ◽  
pp. H1157-H1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Wasserstrom ◽  
J. J. Salata
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Ionic Currents ◽  
Detectable Effect ◽  
Na Channel ◽  
Na Current ◽  
Voltage Range ◽  
Purkinje Fibers ◽  
Ventricular Cells

We studied the effects of tetrodotoxin (TTX) and lidocaine on transmembrane action potentials and ionic currents in dog isolated ventricular myocytes. TTX (0.1-1 x 10(-5) M) and lidocaine (0.5-2 x 10(-5) M) decreased action potential duration, but only TTX decreased the maximum rate of depolarization (Vmax). Both TTX (1-2 x 10(-5) M) and lidocaine (2-5 x 10(-5) M) blocked a slowly inactivating toward current in the plateau voltage range. The voltage- and time-dependent characteristics of this current are virtually identical to those described in Purkinje fibers for the slowly inactivating inward Na+ current. In addition, TTX abolished the outward shift in net current at plateau potentials caused by lidocaine alone. Lidocaine had no detectable effect on the slow inward Ca2+ current and the inward K+ current rectifier, Ia. Our results indicate that 1) there is a slowly inactivating inward Na+ current in ventricular cells similar in time, voltage, and TTX sensitivity to that described in Purkinje fibers; 2) both TTX and lidocaine shorten ventricular action potentials by reducing this slowly inactivating Na+ current; 3) lidocaine has no additional actions on other ionic currents that contribute to its ability to abbreviate ventricular action potentials; and 4) although both agents shorten the action potential by the same mechanism, only TTX reduces Vmax. This last point suggests that TTX produces tonic block of Na+ current, whereas lidocaine may produce state-dependent Na+ channel block, namely, blockade of Na+ current only after Na+ channels have already been opened (inactivated-state block).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document