Active conductances in motoneuron dendrites enhance movement capabilities.
Synaptic input to motoneurons was traditionally thought to flow passively from the dendrites to the soma and initial axon segment. It is now clear that voltage-sensitive channels in motoneuron dendrites can generate large active currents, which are influenced by neuromodulators that are released by brainstem neurons. These neuromodulators may be essential for generating large forces.
Heckman
C J
CJ
Department of Physiology and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. c-heckman@northwestern.edu
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000502:physiology; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003655:Decerebrate State; D003712:Dendrites / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
D015306:Biogenic Monoamines