Journal of Neurophysiology, Vol 41, Issue 4 1014-1025, Copyright © 1978 by APS

ARTICLES

Synaptic transmission without action potentials: input-output properties of a nonspiking presynaptic neuron

K. Graubard

1. Input-output properties of the inhibitory synaptic connection between non-spiking neurons (EX1) and gastric mill (GM) neurons were examined in the stomatogastric ganglion of the spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptus. Current was injected into and the voltage was recorded during current injection, two independent microelectrodes were used. 2. The EX1-GM synaptic connection is a conductance-increase inhibitory type, with an input-output curve that resembles the curve for the squid giant synapse. There is a threshold level of depolarization for transmitter release from the presynaptic cell. Beyond that threshold, increasing presynaptic depolarization causes increasing postsynaptic hyperpolarization (and inhibition). 3. A long presynaptic current step always causes a postsynaptic response with an initial peak of hyperpolarization followed by a decay to a less hyperpolarized plateau level. The plateau level is maintained, in most cells, for the duration of the presynaptic depolarization even over long periods (30 s). 4. The peak, but not the plateau, part of the postsynaptic response is sensitive to the past history of the synaptic connection. If a large conditioning pulse is applied to the presynaptic cell causing a large postsynaptic hyperpolarization, then the postsynaptic response to a later presynaptic test depolarization will have a reduced peak, leaving the plateau component unchanged.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. A. DiCaprio, C. P. Billimoria, and B. Ch. Ludwar Information Rate and Spike-Timing Precision of Proprioceptive Afferents J Neurophysiol, September 1, 2007; 98(3): 1706 - 1717. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Rabbah and F. Nadim Distinct Synaptic Dynamics of Heterogeneous Pacemaker Neurons in an Oscillatory Network J Neurophysiol, March 1, 2007; 97(3): 2239 - 2253. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Thirumalai, A. A. Prinz, C. D. Johnson, and E. Marder Red Pigment Concentrating Hormone Strongly Enhances the Strength of the Feedback to the Pyloric Rhythm Oscillator But Has Little Effect on Pyloric Rhythm Period J Neurophysiol, March 1, 2006; 95(3): 1762 - 1770. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Rabbah and F. Nadim Synaptic Dynamics Do Not Determine Proper Phase of Activity in a Central Pattern Generator J. Neurosci., December 7, 2005; 25(49): 11269 - 11278. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. A. DiCaprio Information Transfer Rate of Nonspiking Afferent Neurons in the Crab J Neurophysiol, July 1, 2004; 92(1): 302 - 310. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Mamiya and F. Nadim Dynamic Interaction of Oscillatory Neurons Coupled with Reciprocally Inhibitory Synapses Acts to Stabilize the Rhythm Period J. Neurosci., June 2, 2004; 24(22): 5140 - 5150. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. L. Weaver and S. L. Hooper Relating Network Synaptic Connectivity and Network Activity in the Lobster (Panulirus interruptus) Pyloric Network J Neurophysiol, October 1, 2003; 90(4): 2378 - 2386. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. A. DiCaprio Nonspiking and Spiking Proprioceptors in the Crab: Nonlinear Analysis of Nonspiking TCMRO Afferents J Neurophysiol, April 1, 2003; 89(4): 1826 - 1836. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Szucs, R. D. Pinto, M. I. Rabinovich, H. D. I. Abarbanel, and A. I. Selverston Synaptic Modulation of the Interspike Interval Signatures of Bursting Pyloric Neurons J Neurophysiol, March 1, 2003; 89(3): 1363 - 1377. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. L. Weaver and S. L. Hooper Follower Neurons in Lobster (Panulirus interruptus) Pyloric Network Regulate Pacemaker Period in Complementary Ways J Neurophysiol, March 1, 2003; 89(3): 1327 - 1338. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Thoby-Brisson and J. Simmers Long-Term Neuromodulatory Regulation of a Motor Pattern-Generating Network: Maintenance of Synaptic Efficacy and Oscillatory Properties J Neurophysiol, December 1, 2002; 88(6): 2942 - 2953. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Wildman, S. R. Ott, and M. Burrows GABA-like immunoreactivity in nonspiking interneurons of the locust metathoracic ganglion J. Exp. Biol., December 1, 2002; 205(23): 3651 - 3659. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Durr and M. Egelhaaf In Vivo Calcium Accumulation in Presynaptic and Postsynaptic Dendrites of Visual Interneurons J Neurophysiol, December 1, 1999; 82(6): 3327 - 3338. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. H. Paul and J. Bruner Receptor Potentials and Electrical Properties of Nonspiking Stretch-Receptive Neurons in the Sand Crab Emerita analoga (Anomura, Hippidae) J Neurophysiol, May 1, 1999; 81(5): 2493 - 2500. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Nadim, Y. Manor, M. P. Nusbaum, and E. Marder Frequency Regulation of a Slow Rhythm by a Fast Periodic Input J. Neurosci., July 1, 1998; 18(13): 5053 - 5067. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Ayali, B. R. Johnson, and R. M. Harris-Warrick Dopamine Modulates Graded and Spike-Evoked Synaptic Inhibition Independently at Single Synapses in Pyloric Network of Lobster J Neurophysiol, April 1, 1998; 79(4): 2063 - 2069. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Manor, F. Nadim, L. F. Abbott, and E. Marder Temporal Dynamics of Graded Synaptic Transmission in the Lobster Stomatogastric Ganglion J. Neurosci., July 15, 1997; 17(14): 5610 - 5621. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. L. Ray and D. Cattaert Neural Mechanisms of Reflex Reversal in Coxo-Basipodite Depressor Motor Neurons of the Crayfish J Neurophysiol, April 1, 1997; 77(4): 1963 - 1978. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K Graubard and D. Hartline Full-wave rectification from a mixed electrical-chemical synapse Science, July 31, 1987; 237(4814): 535 - 537. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Raper Nonimpulse-mediated synaptic transmission during the generation of a cyclic motor program Science, July 20, 1979; 205(4403): 304 - 306. [Abstract] [PDF]