Active currents in mammalian central neurons

The development of in-vitro techniques and the application of the voltage clamp have allowed the identification of voltage-dependent ionic currents in neurons of the mammalian CNS and several putative neurotransmitters affect the ionic current flowing through some of these newly described conductance channels thereby altering the input—output characteristics of mammalian central neurons.

Abstract

The development of in-vitro techniques and the application of the voltage clamp have allowed the identification of voltage-dependent ionic currents in neurons of the mammalian CNS. Although action potential generation is firmly based on the ionic model of Hodgkin and Huxley, the differences in input—output responses of mammalian neurons reside in additional ionic conductance channels first activated in the near-threshold range of membrane potential. Several putative neurotransmitters affect the ionic current flowing through some of these newly described conductance channels thereby altering the input—output characteristics of mammalian central neurons. These changes in the response properties are likely to be important in both the normal and abnormal functions of neurons.