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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Real-time Electrophysiology: Using Closed-loop Protocols to Probe Neuronal Dynamics and Beyond
Published on: June 24, 2015
Simulation of intermittent action potential firing in thalamocortical neurons
1Physiology Unit, School of Molecular and Medical Biosciences, University of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
Abstract:
Thalamocortical neurons are capable of displaying complex electrophysiological behaviour, such as low- and high-frequency oscillations, because of their large number of different membrane channels. Recent experimental results have provided direct evidence on the involvement of high-threshold Ca2+ currents (I(HVA)) in the genesis of the high-frequency oscillations that underlie intermittent action potential firing. Complementing these findings, we now show by means of a biophysical model of a thalamocortical neuron how the interaction of I(HVA) with a Ca2+-activated K+ current which is also present in these neurons may generate this activity via intracellular Ca2+ processing.
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