Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Contribution of the Na+/K+ Pump to Rhythmic Bursting, Explored with Modeling and Dynamic Clamp Analyses
Published on: May 9, 2021
Zn2+ enhances the intrinsic bursting activity of a rat thalamic relay neuron
Jihyun Noh1, Hee-Joo Choi, Jun-Mo Chung
1Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences and Division of Life & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, 11-1 Daehyun-dong, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul 120-750, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Although zinc ion (Zn2+) reduced the low-threshold T-type Ca2+ current of a rat thalamic relay neuron (TRN), we observed that Zn2+ increased a bursting activity of TRN by altering the generation and maintenance of low-threshold spike (LTS). Interestingly and importantly, Zn2+ shifted dramatically the voltage-dependence of both steady-state inactivation and activation of the transient A-type K+ current (I(A)) to a depolarizing direction. As I(A) is one of the main factors in shaping thalamic LTS, such alterations of gating properties of I(A) would contribute to the enhancement of TRN excitability under Zn2+.

