2012/12/20 by Michael Forrest, Mark J. Wall, Daniel A. Press +1 · 4 citations
Neuroscience · #Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research #Vestibular and auditory disorders #Hearing, Cochlea, Tinnitus, Genetics
paper · pdf · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0051169
openalex publication_date 2012/12/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/19
In vitro, cerebellar Purkinje cells can intrinsically fire action potentials in a repeating trimodal or bimodal pattern. The trimodal pattern consists of tonic spiking, bursting, and quiescence. The bimodal pattern consists of tonic spiking and quiescence. It is unclear how these firing patterns are generated and what determines which firing pattern is selected. We have constructed a realistic biophysical Purkinje cell model that can replicate these patterns. In this model, Na(+)/K(+) pump activity sets the Purkinje cell's operating mode. From rat cerebellar slices we present Purkinje whole cell recordings in the presence of ouabain, which irreversibly blocks the Na(+)/K(+) pump. The model can replicate these recordings. We propose that Na(+)/K(+) pump activity controls the intrinsic firing mode of cerbellar Purkinje cells.