Electrotonic Structure of Motoneurons in the Spinal Cord of the Turtle: Inferences for the Mechanisms of Bistability

• DOI: 10.1152/jn.2001.85.1.391
• Publication Date: 2017-12-21T05:42:48Z
• Authors: Gytis Svirskis; Aron Gutman; Jørn Hounsgaard
• Keywords: Bistability

Understanding how voltage-regulated channels and synaptic membrane conductances contribute to response properties of neurons requires reliable knowledge the electrotonic structure dendritic trees. A novel method based on weak DC field stimulation classical current injection were used obtain two independent estimates motoneurons in an vitro preparation turtle spinal cord. was also ensure that passive near resting potential homogeneous. In cells, difference lengths estimated with methods same cell 6 9%. The majority branches terminated at a distance 1 unit from recording site. longest reached 2 λ. third cell, 36%, demonstrating need use both methods, injection, for measurements electrotonical structure. Models reconstructed cells endowed voltage-dependent explore generation mechanisms experimentally observed hysteresis input current-voltage relation bistable motoneurons. results modeling suggest only some dendrites possess L-type calcium explain different can be bistable. Independent behavior individual make complex processing units.