Using tight-seal recordings from rat spinal cord slices, intracellular labelling and computer simulation, we analysed the mechanisms of spike frequency adaptation in substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurones. Adapting-firing neurones (AFNs) generated short bursts of spikes during sustained depolarization and were mostly found in lateral SG. ... Ca2 + -dependent conductances do not contribute to adapting firing. Transient KA current was small and completely inactivated at resting potential suggesting that adapting firing was mainly generated by voltage-gated Na+ and delayed-rectifier K+ (KDR ) currents. ... Computer simulation has further revealed that down-regulation of Na+ conductance represents an effective mechanism for the induction of firing adaptation. It is suggested that the cell-specific regulation of Na+ channel expression can be an important factor underlying the diversity of firing patterns in SG neurones. See paper for more and details.
Model Type: Neuron or other electrically excitable cell
Model Concept(s): Short-term Synaptic Plasticity; Spike Frequency Adaptation
Simulation Environment: NEURON
Implementer(s): Safronov, Boris [safronov at ibmc.up.pt]
References:
Melnick IV, Santos SF, Safronov BV. (2004). Mechanism of spike frequency adaptation in substantia gelatinosa neurones of rat. The Journal of physiology. 559 [PubMed]