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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...
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
Action Potential: Phases of Stimulation01:28

Action Potential: Phases of Stimulation

The action potential is a complex electrical event that occurs in excitable cells, such as neurons and muscle cells. It consists of several distinct phases, each with specific characteristics.
Resting Phase:
In this phase, the cell's membrane is at its resting potential, typically around -70 millivolts (mV) for neurons. Inside the cell, there is a higher concentration of potassium ions (K+) and a lower concentration of sodium ions (Na+). Voltage-gated sodium channels are closed, and...
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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

Subcellular Patch-clamp Recordings from the Somatodendritic Domain of Nigral Dopamine Neurons
09:17

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Published on: November 2, 2016

Active action potential propagation but not initiation in thalamic interneuron dendrites.

Amanda E Casale1, David A McCormick

  • 1Department of Neurobiology, Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA.

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
|December 16, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Dendrites of thalamic interneurons actively backpropagate action potentials, enabling GABA release from both axonal and dendritic sites. This high-fidelity propagation ensures synchronous neurotransmitter release, modulating neural circuit activity.

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Last Updated: May 26, 2026

Subcellular Patch-clamp Recordings from the Somatodendritic Domain of Nigral Dopamine Neurons
09:17

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Published on: November 2, 2016

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09:10

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Published on: October 13, 2016

Recording Gamma Band Oscillations in Pedunculopontine Nucleus Neurons
09:04

Recording Gamma Band Oscillations in Pedunculopontine Nucleus Neurons

Published on: September 14, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cellular Neuroscience
  • Thalamic Circuitry

Background:

  • Inhibitory interneurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus regulate thalamocortical activity.
  • Dendritic neurotransmitter release mechanisms remain poorly understood.
  • Backpropagating action potentials are hypothesized to mediate dendritic release.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the characteristics of dendritic voltage deflections in response to action potentials in mouse dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus interneurons.
  • Determine if action potentials actively backpropagate into the dendritic arbor.
  • Assess the role of ion channels in action potential backpropagation.

Main Methods:

  • High temporal and spatial resolution voltage-sensitive dye imaging.
  • Somatic current injection and local synaptic stimulation.
  • Analysis of action potential propagation in dendritic arbors.

Main Results:

  • Single and trains of action potentials rapidly and actively backpropagated throughout the entire dendritic arbor.
  • Backpropagation occurred into fine dendritic appendages involved in GABA release.
  • Action potential initiation occurred in the soma or proximal dendrites.
  • Backpropagation depended on voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels.

Conclusions:

  • Thalamic interneuron dendrites exhibit high-fidelity action potential backpropagation.
  • This process enables nearly synchronous GABA release from both axonal and dendritic compartments.
  • Dendritic action potentials contribute to the modulation of thalamocortical activity.