Control and role of plateau potential properties in the spinal cord
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Control and role of plateau potential properties in the spinal cord. / Hultborn, Hans; Zhang, Mengliang; Meehan, Claire F.
In: Current Pharmaceutical Design, Vol. 19, No. 24, 2013, p. 4357-4370.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Control and role of plateau potential properties in the spinal cord
AU - Hultborn, Hans
AU - Zhang, Mengliang
AU - Meehan, Claire F
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - In this review we will first give a historical account of how the discovery of persistent inward currents (PICs) and plateau potentials changed the understanding of the operation and function of the "final common path", i.e. the motoneurons themselves. A major function of voltage-dependent PICs is to serve as an adjustable amplifier of classical synaptic inputs. The complex control of this, and other intrinsic properties, certainly adjusts the performance of the motoneurons to the needs of the behavioral settings. It has emerged that supraspinal facilitation, mainly by monoaminergic projections, is a prerequisite for the normal function of the PIC channels. When these pathways are interrupted following a spinal lesion the "gain" of the transmission across the motoneurons is reduced and this is likely to be an important explanation for the spinal shock. However, after a few weeks the "plateau properties" of the motoneurons return - now without descending monoaminergic control. This plasticity after spinal lesion is likely to contribute to the hyperreflexia (spasticity) seen after spinal lesions. We then review the current knowledge on PICs in other spinal (inter-)neurons. The monoaminergic systems seem to play a pivotal role in activating the spinal network generating the rhythm and basic motor pattern of locomotion and scratch - the spinal "central pattern generators" (CPGs). We give a short historical background of this research with a special emphasis on the importance of the descending monoaminergic systems.
AB - In this review we will first give a historical account of how the discovery of persistent inward currents (PICs) and plateau potentials changed the understanding of the operation and function of the "final common path", i.e. the motoneurons themselves. A major function of voltage-dependent PICs is to serve as an adjustable amplifier of classical synaptic inputs. The complex control of this, and other intrinsic properties, certainly adjusts the performance of the motoneurons to the needs of the behavioral settings. It has emerged that supraspinal facilitation, mainly by monoaminergic projections, is a prerequisite for the normal function of the PIC channels. When these pathways are interrupted following a spinal lesion the "gain" of the transmission across the motoneurons is reduced and this is likely to be an important explanation for the spinal shock. However, after a few weeks the "plateau properties" of the motoneurons return - now without descending monoaminergic control. This plasticity after spinal lesion is likely to contribute to the hyperreflexia (spasticity) seen after spinal lesions. We then review the current knowledge on PICs in other spinal (inter-)neurons. The monoaminergic systems seem to play a pivotal role in activating the spinal network generating the rhythm and basic motor pattern of locomotion and scratch - the spinal "central pattern generators" (CPGs). We give a short historical background of this research with a special emphasis on the importance of the descending monoaminergic systems.
KW - Action Potentials
KW - Animals
KW - Biogenic Monoamines
KW - Calcium Channels, L-Type
KW - Humans
KW - Locomotion
KW - Motor Neurons
KW - Neurotransmitter Agents
KW - Patch-Clamp Techniques
KW - Spinal Cord
KW - Spinal Cord Injuries
KW - Synaptic Transmission
KW - Journal Article
U2 - 10.2174/1381612811319240004
DO - 10.2174/1381612811319240004
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 23360269
VL - 19
SP - 4357
EP - 4370
JO - Current Pharmaceutical Design
JF - Current Pharmaceutical Design
SN - 1381-6128
IS - 24
ER -
ID: 176952282