title: Analysis and biophysical interpretation of bistable behaviour in thalamocortical neurons.
abstract: Thalamocortical neurons display a wide spectrum of activity patterns that are the expressions of the non-linear interactions between the various voltage-gated ion channels. Here, we show how bistable behaviour can emerge in these neurons, and how it is brought about by the steady-state residual ("window") component of IT, the low-threshold Ca2+ current. In particular, we present results that describe the dependence of bistability on two system parameters: the injected current and the leakage conductance. In addition, we provide a biophysical interpretation of these results by means of the properties of the electrical circuit representing the neuron membrane.
authors.affiliation: Physiology Unit, School of Molecular and Medical Biosciences, University of Wales Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: T I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Tóth
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Crunelli
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004594:Electrophysiology; D007700:Kinetics; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D013788:Thalamus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*