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Action Potential

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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.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 20, 2025

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

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Published on: November 29, 2012

Active Dendrites and Local Field Potentials: Biophysical Mechanisms and Computational Explorations.

Manisha Sinha¹, Rishikesh Narayanan¹

¹Cellular Neurophysiology Laboratory, Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka 560012, India.

|September 10, 2021

Summary

The local field potential (LFP) is influenced by active dendritic mechanisms, not just synaptic inputs. Accounting for these complex neuronal and glial interactions is crucial for understanding LFP generation in health and disease.

Keywords:

computational models degeneracy heterogeneity ion channels neural plasticity oscillations

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Two-photon Calcium Imaging in Neuronal Dendrites in Brain Slices

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Published on: March 15, 2018

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Computational Neuroscience
Electrophysiology

Background:

Neuronal and glial membranes possess ion channels, transporters, and receptors, enabling ion flux and extracellular voltage fluctuations.
High-frequency voltage components reflect neuronal spiking activity, while low-frequency components (LFPs) were traditionally linked to synaptic inputs on neuronal dendrites.

Purpose of the Study:

To review computational and experimental studies on active dendritic mechanisms influencing LFP genesis and dynamics.
To emphasize the necessity of considering diverse dendritic events and active mechanisms for LFP origin insights.
To provide guidelines for modeling LFPs incorporating dendritic mechanisms and cellular heterogeneities.

Main Methods:

Review of recent computational and experimental studies.
Analysis of factors influencing LFP spectro-temporal dynamics.
Development of modeling guidelines for LFPs.

Main Results:

Active dendritic mechanisms critically influence LFP generation and location-dependent dynamics.
Gradients in expression, spatio-temporal interactions, heterogeneities, neuromodulation, and plasticity impact LFPs.
Accurate LFP modeling requires accounting for dendritic events and cellular properties.

Conclusions:

LFPs are shaped by complex active dendritic processes beyond traditional synaptic input models.
Understanding LFP origins necessitates integrating neuronal and glial interactions, heterogeneities, and plasticity.
Proposed modeling approaches offer a framework for studying LFPs in various brain states and conditions.