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Related Concept Videos

Action Potential

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 Potential

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 Potentials

Action Potentials

Propagation of Action Potentials

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...

Neurons: The Axon

Neurons: The Axon

Axons are long, cytoplasmic processes of nerve cells capable of propagating electrical impulses known as action potentials. The cytoplasm or axoplasm of an axon contains neurofibrils, neurotubules, small vesicles, lysosomes, mitochondria, and various enzymes, all encased within the axolemma, the plasma membrane of the axon.
The axon attaches to the cell body at a cone-shaped elevation called the axon hillock. The initial part of the axon, closest to the hillock, is known as the initial segment....

Action Potential: Phases of Stimulation

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 29, 2026

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

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

Published on: November 2, 2016

Cortical Interneuron Subtypes Vary in Their Axonal Action Potential Properties.

Amanda E Casale¹, Amanda J Foust¹, Thierry Bal¹

¹Department of Neurobiology, Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510.

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience

|November 27, 2015

Summary

Fast-spiking and somatostatin interneurons exhibit distinct electrical properties across their entire structure, including axons. These differences suggest specialized computational roles for these inhibitory neuron types in the cortex.

Keywords:

SOM action potential cortex d-current fast spiking interneuron

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Subtype-selective Electroporation of Cortical Interneurons

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Voltage-sensitive Dye Recording from Axons, Dendrites and Dendritic Spines of Individual Neurons in Brain Slices

Voltage-sensitive Dye Recording from Axons, Dendrites and Dendritic Spines of Individual Neurons in Brain Slices

Published on: November 29, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 29, 2026

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

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

Published on: November 2, 2016

Subtype-selective Electroporation of Cortical Interneurons

Subtype-selective Electroporation of Cortical Interneurons

Published on: August 18, 2014

Voltage-sensitive Dye Recording from Axons, Dendrites and Dendritic Spines of Individual Neurons in Brain Slices

Voltage-sensitive Dye Recording from Axons, Dendrites and Dendritic Spines of Individual Neurons in Brain Slices

Published on: November 29, 2012

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cellular Electrophysiology
Cortical Circuitry

Background:

Interneurons are crucial for cortical microcircuit function.
Distinct electrophysiological properties of interneurons are known at the soma.
Subcellular electrical properties of interneurons remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate electrophysiological differences in dendrosomatoaxonal compartments of interneuron subtypes.
To compare action potential propagation and characteristics in fast-spiking and somatostatin interneurons.

Main Methods:

Voltage-sensitive dye imaging of action potential propagation in mouse cortical interneurons.
Electrophysiological recordings in somata, dendrites, and fine axon collaterals.
Pharmacological manipulation to identify ion channel roles.

Main Results:

Fast-spiking and somatostatin interneurons display distinct electrical properties throughout their dendrosomatoaxonal extent.
Somatostatin interneuron action potentials are broader and back-propagate more readily into dendrites.
Kv1 channels are critical for axonal repolarization in both types; BK channels are also important for somatostatin interneurons.

Conclusions:

Cortical interneurons possess unique subcellular physiological properties.
Axonal electrophysiology differs significantly between interneuron subtypes.
These distinct properties enable specialized computational roles for interneurons in cortical circuits.