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Cited by 396Ion channel regulation and functionNeural dynamics and brain functionNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Unique features of action potential initiation in cortical neurons

Naundorf, Björn, Wolf, Fred, Volgushev, Maxim·2006·Nature
DOI 10.1038/nature04610
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Abstract

Neurons process and encode information by generating sequences of action potentials. For all spiking neurons, the encoding of single-neuron computations into sequences of spikes is biophysically determined by the cell's action-potential-generating mechanism. It has recently been discovered that apparently minor modifications of this mechanism can qualitatively change the nature of neuronal encoding. Here we quantitatively analyse the dynamics of action potential initiation in cortical neurons in vivo, in vitro and in computational models. Unexpectedly, key features of the initiation dynamics of cortical neuron action potentials--their rapid initiation and variable onset potential--are outside the range of behaviours described by the classical Hodgkin-Huxley theory. We propose a new model based on the cooperative activation of sodium channels that reproduces the observed dynamics of action potential initiation. This new model predicts that Hodgkin-Huxley-type dynamics of action potential initiation can be induced by artificially decreasing the effective density of sodium channels. In vitro experiments confirm this prediction, supporting the hypothesis that cooperative sodium channel activation underlies the dynamics of action potential initiation in cortical neurons.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nature04610

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  • Firing threshold at the AIS in cortical neurons in brains of awake animals (compared to neurons in vitro) vary significantly spike-to-spike.

    “Naundorf et al. [43] showed that firing threshold at the AIS in cortical neurons in brains of awake animals (compared to neurons in vitro) vary significantly spike-to-spike (Fig. 2b).”

    From Consciousness in the universe (2014) · cites this paper as [43]

  • Membrane-based modulations via gap junction connections would be reflected in the integrated membrane potential, and unable to account for threshold variability seen by Naundorf et al.

    “However membrane-based modulations via gap junction connections would be reflected in the integrated membrane potential, and unable to account for threshold variability seen by Naundorf et al. [43].”

    From Consciousness in the universe (2014) · cites this paper as [43]

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Authors
Naundorf, B., Wolf, F., & Volgushev, M.
Affiliations
  • Max Planck Society (DE)
  • Russian Academy of Sciences (RU)
Corresponding author
Wolf, Fred
ORCID
Venue
Nature
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2006-04-01
Volume
440
Issue
7087
Pages
1060-1063
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
DOI
10.1038/nature04610
OpenAlex
W2136153614
Cited by
396
References
24
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 29 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 19
FWCI
9.53
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (submittedVersion)
  • GRO (submittedVersion)
  • MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Ion channel regulation and function
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
action potential generation, cortical neurons, Hodgkin-Huxley model, sodium channel density, neural coding, spike sequences, neuronal excitability, computational neuron model
MeSH terms
Action Potentials, Animals, Cats, Cerebral Cortex, Computer Simulation, Models, Neurological, Neurons, Time Factors, Visual Cortex, Sodium Channels, Ion Channel Gating, Neocortex, Mice, Rats

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