Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
04:59
Spinal Cord Electrophysiology
Published on: January 18, 2010
Pacemaker and plateau potentials shape output of a developing locomotor network
Huaxia Tong1, Jonathan Robert McDearmid
1Department of Biology, College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
Current Biology : CB
|November 13, 2012
Summary
Developing zebrafish spinal neurons, specifically ipsilateral caudal (IC) cells, exhibit bursting activity crucial for motor behavior transitions. Changes in their firing patterns drive distinct motor outputs during development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Motor Control
Background:
- Spinal networks mature during development, transitioning from immature to mature motor behaviors.
- The mechanisms underlying age-specific motor behavior changes are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize ionic conductances and firing patterns of developing zebrafish spinal neurons.
- To investigate the role of specific interneurons in developmental transitions of motor behavior.
Main Methods:
- In vivo patch clamp electrophysiology was used to record from developing zebrafish spinal neurons.
- Ionic conductances and neuronal firing patterns were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Ipsilateral caudal (IC) cells exhibit inherent bursting activity dependent on a persistent sodium current (I(NaP)).
- IC cell bursting patterns change with development, from low-frequency oscillations driving coiling to high-frequency bursting during swimming.
- Perturbing IC cell bursting disrupts motor output at both early and later developmental stages.
Conclusions:
- Neurons with unique bursting properties are integral to developing motor networks.
- These neurons shape network output and facilitate stage-specific motor behavior changes during development.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Graded Potential
Graded potentials are localized fluctuations in the cell membrane's electrical charge, commonly found in the dendrites of neurons. The magnitude of these potential changes depends on the strength of the initiating stimulus. In a membrane at its resting potential, a graded potential signifies a voltage shift either above -70 mV or below -70 mV.
Graded potentials fall into two categories: depolarizing and hyperpolarizing. Depolarizing graded potentials typically occur when sodium (Na+) or calcium...
Graded potentials fall into two categories: depolarizing and hyperpolarizing. Depolarizing graded potentials typically occur when sodium (Na+) or calcium...
01:25Long-term Potentiation
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when presynaptic neurons...
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when presynaptic neurons...
01:35Long-term Potentiation
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
01:23Propagation 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...
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...
01:32Postsynaptic Potential (PSP)
Postsynaptic potential (PSP) refers to a change in the electrical potential of a neuron when neurotransmitters released by presynaptic neurons bind to postsynaptic receptors. This potential can either be excitatory, leading to depolarization and ultimately action potential generation, or inhibitory, leading to hyperpolarization and suppression of the postsynaptic neuron.
There are two types of receptors: ionotropic and metabotropic.
The ionotropic receptor is the membrane protein that has an...
There are two types of receptors: ionotropic and metabotropic.
The ionotropic receptor is the membrane protein that has an...
01:28Action 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...
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...