What can be learned about motoneurone properties from studying firing patterns?

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2002:508:199-205. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4615-0713-0_24.

Abstract

The discharge patterns of tonically-firing neurones are influenced by both the characteristics of their presynaptic input and their intrinsic properties. The regularity of the discharge of motoneurones is thought to reflect their prominent post-spike afterhyperpolarization (AHP). When a motoneurone fires at steady mean rate, the distribution of interspike intervals is determined by the amplitude and frequency content of the synaptic noise together with the decrease in excitability following a spike due to AHP. This paper considers how motoneurone discharge statistics can be used to estimate AHP trajectories as well as a motoneurone's sensitivity to excitatory input.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Computer Simulation
  • Electrophysiology
  • Forecasting
  • Humans
  • Models, Neurological*
  • Motor Neurons / physiology*