Abstract
Knowledge of the site of action potential initiation is essential for understanding how synaptic input is converted into neuronal output. Previous studies have shown that the lowest-threshold site for initiation of action potentials is in the axon. Here we use recordings from visualized rat cerebellar Purkinje cell axons to localize the site of initiation to a well-defined anatomical structure: the first node of Ranvier, which normally forms at the first axonal branch point.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Action Potentials / physiology*
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Animals
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Animals, Newborn
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Ankyrins / metabolism
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Axons / physiology*
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Cerebellum / cytology*
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Computer Simulation
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Dendrites / physiology
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Electric Stimulation / methods
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Fluorescent Antibody Technique / methods
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In Vitro Techniques
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Lysine / analogs & derivatives*
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Lysine / metabolism
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Microscopy, Confocal / methods
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Myelin Basic Protein / metabolism
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Neural Inhibition / drug effects
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Neural Inhibition / physiology
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Patch-Clamp Techniques / methods
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Purkinje Cells / physiology*
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Ranvier's Nodes / physiology
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Rats
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Reaction Time / radiation effects
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Synaptic Transmission / drug effects
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Synaptic Transmission / physiology
Substances
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Ank3 protein, rat
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Ankyrins
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Myelin Basic Protein
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biocytin
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Lysine