SK channel inhibition mediates the initiation and amplitude modulation of synchronized burst firing in the spinal cord

This study demonstrates that cholinergic inhibition or direct blockade of small conductance Ca2+-activated potassium (SK) channels facilitates burst firing in spinal motoneurons. The data provide a novel mechanistic explanation for synchronized bursting initiation and amplitude modulation through SK channel inhibition. Evidence also shows that synchronized bursting is driven by NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartate) and AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate) receptors and that gap junctions do not mediate motoneuron synchronization in this behavior.

Source: Journal of Neurophysiology - July 1, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Mahrous, A. A., Elbasiouny, S. M. Tags: Research Articles Source Type: research