Trends in Neurosciences
Volume 14, Issue 2, February 1991, Pages 68-73
Journal home page for Trends in Neurosciences

Review
Plateau potentials and active integration in the ‘final common pathway’ for motor behaviour

https://doi.org/10.1016/0166-2236(91)90023-NGet rights and content

Abstract

Most studies of vertebrate spinal motoneurones have suggested that they possess relatively simple membrane properties, causing them to behave merely as passively driven output neurones in motor behaviour. According to this concept, motoneurones passively transform the net synaptic drive from pre-motoneuronel levels into spike trains. Recent research has demonstrated a more complex picture by showing that motoneurones can express nonlinear intrinsic response properties, such as plateau potentials and endogenous oscillatory properties. This work suggests that the ‘final common pathway’ is actively involved in shaping motor behaviour.

References (49)

  • D.K. Hartline et al.

    Comp. Biochem. Physiol.

    (1988)
  • P.C. Schwindt et al.

    Brain Res.

    (1977)
  • J. Hounsgaard et al.

    Prog. Brain Res.

    (1986)
  • P.S. Katz et al.

    Trends Neurosci.

    (1990)
  • C.P. VanderMaelen et al.

    Brain Res.

    (1982)
  • Y. Nishimura et al.

    Brain Res.

    (1989)
  • K. Walton et al.

    Neuroscience

    (1986)
  • J.A. Flatman et al.

    Brain Res.

    (1986)
  • T. Eken et al.

    Prog. Brain Res.

    (1989)
  • P. Wallén et al.

    Neurosci. Lett.

    (1985)
  • F. Baldissera et al.
  • J.C. Eccles

    The Physiology of Nerve Cells

    (1957)
  • R.R. Llinás

    Science

    (1988)
  • P.C. Schwindt et al.
  • P.C. Schwindt et al.

    J. Neurophysiol.

    (1980)
  • J. Hounsgaard et al.

    Exp. Brain Res.

    (1984)
  • C. Crone et al.

    J. Physiol.

    (1988)
  • J. Hounsgaard et al.

    J. Physiol.

    (1988)
  • B.A. Conway et al.

    J. Physiol.

    (1988)
  • O. Kiehn
  • R.E. Burke et al.
  • A. Björklund et al.
  • J. Hounsgaard et al.

    Exp. Brain Res.

    (1985)
  • Cited by (0)

    View full text