title: [Discharge mechanism of pigeon optic tectum neurons in an in vitro preparation].
abstract: The pattern of discharge of neurones of the pigeon's optic tectum to directly injected depolarizing current was investigated in in vitro slice preparation. Three patterns of discharge were found: some neurones (types I and II) give a tonic response: type I-neurones exhibited a repetitive firing whereas type II-neurones showed grouped discharges (doublets or triplets). Type III-neurones displayed a phasic response formed by a few action potentials of decreasing amplitude, triggered at the onset of the current pulse. Each pattern of response was associated with a specific shape of action potential.
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D010856:Columbidae / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000502:physiology*
vernacular_title: Mode de décharge des neurones du toit optique du pigeon dans une préparation in vitro.