Abstract
The presence of T-channels in thalamic cells allows for the generation of rhythmic bursts of spikes and the existence of two firing modes in thalamic cells: tonic and bursting. This intrinsic electrophysiological property has fundamental consequences for the functional properties of the thalamus across waking and sleep stages and is centrally implicated in a growing number of pathological states. Rhythmic bursting brings about highly synchronized activity throughout corticothalamic circuits which is incompatible with the relay of information through the thalamus. Understanding the conditions that determine the change in firing mode of thalamic cells as well as the role of bursting in the generation of synchronized oscillations is critical to understand the function of the thalamus. The functional properties of T-channels and the resulting low threshold spike are discussed here with emphasis on the differences in the bursting properties of reticular thalamic and thalamocortical neurons. The role of thalamic bursting in the generation of sleep oscillations and their specific sequence during slow wave sleep will also be discussed.
Keywords: depolarizing synaptic potential, RETICULAR THALAMIC (RE) CELLS, Oscillations, thalamocortical circuits, GABAergic projections
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets
Title: The Role of T-Channels in the Generation of Thalamocortical Rhythms
Volume: 5 Issue: 6
Author(s): Diego Contreras
Affiliation:
Keywords: depolarizing synaptic potential, RETICULAR THALAMIC (RE) CELLS, Oscillations, thalamocortical circuits, GABAergic projections
Abstract: The presence of T-channels in thalamic cells allows for the generation of rhythmic bursts of spikes and the existence of two firing modes in thalamic cells: tonic and bursting. This intrinsic electrophysiological property has fundamental consequences for the functional properties of the thalamus across waking and sleep stages and is centrally implicated in a growing number of pathological states. Rhythmic bursting brings about highly synchronized activity throughout corticothalamic circuits which is incompatible with the relay of information through the thalamus. Understanding the conditions that determine the change in firing mode of thalamic cells as well as the role of bursting in the generation of synchronized oscillations is critical to understand the function of the thalamus. The functional properties of T-channels and the resulting low threshold spike are discussed here with emphasis on the differences in the bursting properties of reticular thalamic and thalamocortical neurons. The role of thalamic bursting in the generation of sleep oscillations and their specific sequence during slow wave sleep will also be discussed.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Contreras Diego, The Role of T-Channels in the Generation of Thalamocortical Rhythms, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2006; 5 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152706779025526
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152706779025526 |
Print ISSN 1871-5273 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1996-3181 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Increase of EEG Alpha3/Alpha2 Power Ratio Detects Inferior Parietal Lobule Atrophy in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Current Alzheimer Research Water and Ion Channels: Crucial in the Initiation and Progression of Apoptosis in Central Nervous System?
Current Neuropharmacology A New Series of 1,3-Dimethylxanthine Based Adenosine A<sub>2A</sub> Receptor Antagonists as a Non-Dopaminergic Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
Current Drug Discovery Technologies Commentary Research Highlights (Amyloid and Alzheimer's Disease: Easing the Load)
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Hypertension in 2017: Update in Treatment and Pharmaceutical Innovations
Current Pharmaceutical Design Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs as Anti-Amyloidogenic Compounds
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial Review (Thematic Issue: An Update on Central Sensitivity Syndromes and the Issues of Nosology and Psychobiology)
Current Rheumatology Reviews Stat3 Orchestrates Tumor Development and Progression: The Achilles Heel of Head and Neck Cancers?
Current Cancer Drug Targets Receptors and Enzymes for Medical Sensing of L-Glutamate
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Signal Transduction of Radiation and/or Hyperthermic Cancer Therapies
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Flavonoids in Neurodegeneration: Limitations and Strategies to Cross CNS Barriers
Current Medicinal Chemistry Cannabinoids and Neuroprotection in Motor-Related Disorders
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157-NO-system Relation
Current Pharmaceutical Design Targeting of Cancer-Related Proteins with PNA Oligomers
Current Cancer Drug Targets Anti-Cancer Drugs of Today and Tomorrow: Are we Close to Making the Turn from Treating to Curing Cancer?
Current Pharmaceutical Design New Antipsychotics in Treatment of Mood Instability and Cognitive Perceptual Symptoms in Borderline Personality Disorder
Current Psychopharmacology Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase (EC-SOD) Quenches Free Radicals and Attenuates Age-Related Cognitive Decline: Opportunities for Novel Drug Development in Aging
Current Alzheimer Research Aminophosphonate Metal Complexes of Biomedical Potential
Current Medicinal Chemistry Editorial
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Stretch, Shrink, and Shatter the Rhythms: The Intrinsic Circadian Period in Mania and Depression
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets