Measuring the impact of probabilistic transmission on neuronal output

Otmakhov, N., Shirke, A. M., Malinow, R. (June 1993) Measuring the impact of probabilistic transmission on neuronal output. Neuron, 10 (6). pp. 1101-11. ISSN 0896-6273 (Print)0896-6273 (Linking)

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8318231
DOI: 10.1016/0896-6273(93)90058-Y

Abstract

We have investigated the impact of stochastic transmission on the input-output relations of neurons in hippocampal slices. A synaptic input that fires a cell has a significant trial-to-trial variability in amplitude, reflecting the probabilistic release of transmitter. By measuring miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents, we estimate that synchronous release of a few vesicles can fire a CA1 cell. The firing threshold and variability can be physiologically modulated. Different cell types have distinct firing thresholds and variabilities. Long-term potentiation (LTP) decreases trial-to-trial variability. If after LTP, the stimulus is reduced to produce a threshold response, the variability returns to that observed before LTP. Thus, for a threshold input, the trial-to-trial variability is maintained with LTP. This may be important for the proper functioning of a plastic nervous system.

Item Type: Paper
Uncontrolled Keywords: Action Potentials Animals Evoked Potentials/drug effects Hippocampus/*physiology In Vitro Techniques Mathematics *Models, Neurological Neurons/drug effects/*physiology Probability Pyramidal Tracts/*physiology Rats Stochastic Processes Synapses/*physiology Tetrodotoxin/pharmacology
Subjects: organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > tissues types and functions > hippocampus
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons > neuronal circuits
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons > neuronal circuits
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons > neuronal circuits
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > sub-cellular tissues: types and functions > synapse
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL labs > Malinow lab
Depositing User: Matt Covey
Date: June 1993
Date Deposited: 12 Apr 2016 19:44
Last Modified: 12 Apr 2016 19:44
Related URLs:
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/32579

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