Enhancement of synaptic transmission by dendritic potentials in chromatolysed motoneurones of the cat

Abstract

1. Monosynaptic transmission in cat lumbosacral motoneurones undergoing chromatolysis was studied by intracellular recording from 7 to 20 days after section of the appropriate ventral roots. 2. The average input resistance measured by passing polarizing currents across the cell membrane showed no significant difference between normal and chromatolysed motoneurones. Average rheobasic current for chromatolysed motoneurones was significantly lower (by about 30%) than that for normal motoneurones. 3. Spike‐like partial responses were commonly superimposed on monosynaptic EPSPs in chromatolysed motoneurones. These responses could be eliminated by stimulation of the bulbar inhibitory reticular formation, but could not be blocked by hyperpolarization applied to the motoneurone soma. 4. The spike‐like partial response in chromatolysed motoneurones showed a refractory period following (i) the antidromic invasion of the neurone generated by ventral root stimulation, and (ii) in response to two successive afferent stimuli. The refractory period ranged from 5 to 13 msec. 5. Initiation of the partial response had no direct relation with the amplitude of the underlying EPSP. The partial response could be evoked by small EPSPs of about 0·5 mV. 6. The action potential of a chromatolysed motoneurone arose from the partial response at different levels of depolarization, showing multiple trigger zones for spike initiation. Occasionally, chromatolysed motoneurones discharged in response to stimulation of a single afferent fibre. 7. In neurones where more than one spike‐like response was obtained, interaction between dendritic responses showed no refractoriness. 8. It is concluded that the partial response is an all‐or‐none event originating at some discrete site on dendrites, and that its presence increases the efficacy of synaptic excitation in chromatolysed motoneurones.