title: Role of an A-type K+ conductance in the back-propagation of action potentials in the dendrites of hippocampal pyramidal neurons.
abstract: Action potentials elicited in the axon actively back-propagate into the dendritic tree. During this process their amplitudes can be modulated by internal and external factors. We used a compartmental model of a hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neuron to illustrate how this modulation could depend on (1) the properties of an A-type K+ conductance that is expressed at high density in hippocampal dendrites and (2) the relative timing of synaptic activation. The simulations suggest that the time relationship between pre- and postsynaptic activity could help regulate the amplitude of back-propagating action potentials, especially in the distal portion of the dendritic tree.
authors.affiliation: National Research Council, Institute of Advanced Diagnostic Methodologies, Palermo, Italy. migliore@iaif.pa.cnr.it
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Migliore
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Magee
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Johnston
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003712:Dendrites / Q000502:physiology; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology; D008959:Models, Neurological; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels; D011188:Potassium