RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Theta-Frequency Bursting and Resonance in Cerebellar Granule Cells: Experimental Evidence and Modeling of a Slow K+-Dependent Mechanism JF The Journal of Neuroscience JO J. Neurosci. FD Society for Neuroscience SP 759 OP 770 DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.21-03-00759.2001 VO 21 IS 3 A1 Egidio D'Angelo A1 Thierry Nieus A1 Arianna Maffei A1 Simona Armano A1 Paola Rossi A1 Vanni Taglietti A1 Andrea Fontana A1 Giovanni Naldi YR 2001 UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/21/3/759.abstract AB Neurons process information in a highly nonlinear manner, generating oscillations, bursting, and resonance, enhancing responsiveness at preferential frequencies. It has been proposed that slow repolarizing currents could be responsible for both oscillation/burst termination and for high-pass filtering that causes resonance (Hutcheon and Yarom, 2000). However, different mechanisms, including electrotonic effects (Mainen and Sejinowski, 1996), the expression of resurgent currents (Raman and Bean, 1997), and network feedback, may also be important. In this study we report theta-frequency (3–12 Hz) bursting and resonance in rat cerebellar granule cells and show that these neurons express a previously unidentified slow repolarizing K+ current (IK-slow). Our experimental and modeling results indicate that IK-slow was necessary for both bursting and resonance. A persistent (and potentially a resurgent) Na+ current exerted complex amplifying actions on bursting and resonance, whereas electrotonic effects were excluded by the compact structure of the granule cell. Theta-frequency bursting and resonance in granule cells may play an important role in determining synchronization, rhythmicity, and learning in the cerebellum.