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Published on: June 2, 2014
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
Summary
During leech sensitization, a single S-interneuron
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.
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