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Related Concept Videos

Action Potential01:14

Action Potential

Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
Action Potential01:14

Action Potential

Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
Neural Circuits01:25

Neural Circuits

Neural circuits and neuronal pools are two of the main structures found in the nervous system. Neural circuits are networks of neurons that work together to carry out a specific task or process. They consist of interconnected neurons and glial cells, which provide structural and metabolic support.
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...
The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation01:19

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation

A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
Propagation of Action Potentials01:23

Propagation of Action Potentials

The propagation of an action potential refers to the process by which a nerve impulse, or "action potential," travels along a neuron.
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...
Action Potentials01:41

Action Potentials

Overview

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Recording Single Neurons' Action Potentials from Freely Moving Pigeons Across Three Stages of Learning
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Neuronal competition for action potential initiation sites in a circuit controlling simple learning.

G E Cruz1, C L Sahley, K J Muller

  • 1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Miami School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016430 (R-430), Miami, FL 33136, USA.

Neuroscience
|July 24, 2007
PubMed
Summary

During leech sensitization, a single S-interneuron

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Published on: January 18, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Learning and Memory
  • Cellular Neuroscience

Background:

  • Behavioral sensitization involves increased neural firing.
  • S-interneurons are crucial for sensitization in leeches.
  • Network-level mechanisms of sensitization are poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate spatial and temporal patterns of action potential initiation in leech S-interneurons.
  • Determine how S-interneuron activity changes during sensitization.
  • Elucidate the network mechanisms underlying behavioral sensitization.

Main Methods:

  • Studied action potential initiation in a behaving leech preparation.
  • Analyzed S-interneuron firing patterns and synaptic inputs.
  • Developed a compartmental model of the S-cell and its inputs.

Main Results:

  • During sensitization, the dominant S-cell suppressed initiation in adjacent S-cells.
  • Suppression was due to early, strong input and coincidence with the refractory period.
  • A simple intrinsic mechanism of post-action potential inexcitability explains suppression.

Conclusions:

  • Non-synaptic competition between neurons shapes network activity.
  • Single-site synaptic input can precisely control network output patterns.
  • Intrinsic cellular properties play a key role in network dynamics during learning.