Medial vestibular nucleus in the guinea-pig. I. Intrinsic membrane properties in brainstem slices

Exp Brain Res. 1991;84(2):417-25. doi: 10.1007/BF00231464.

Abstract

Intracellular recordings were obtained from medial vestibular nuclei neurones (MVNn) in guinea-pig brainstem slices. Two main distinct neuronal classes were encountered. Type A MVNn (32.3%) were characterized by a broad action potential followed by a deep single afterhyperpolarization, a transient A-like rectification, and a single range of firing in response to current injection. Type B MVNn (47.1%), in contrast, were distinguished by the presence of a thin action potential followed first by a fast and then by a delayed and slower afterhyperpolarization. In addition, they displayed a secondary range of firing in their response to current injection. A majority of B MVNn also had either sub-threshold plateau potentials or low threshold spike bursts or a combination thereof. A third, non-homogeneous class of cells, could not be fitted into either one of the two main classes (20.6%, type C MVNn).

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Animals
  • Brain Stem / anatomy & histology
  • Brain Stem / physiology*
  • Cell Membrane / physiology
  • Evoked Potentials
  • Guinea Pigs
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Vestibular Nuclei / anatomy & histology
  • Vestibular Nuclei / physiology*