title: Mechanisms underlying the activity-dependent regulation of locomotor network performance by the Na+ pump.
abstract: Activity-dependent modification of neural network output usually results from changes in neurotransmitter release and/or membrane conductance. In Xenopus frog tadpoles, spinal locomotor network output is adapted by an ultraslow afterhyperpolarization (usAHP) mediated by an increase in Na(+) pump current. Here we systematically explore how the interval between two swimming episodes affects the second episode, which is shorter and slower than the first episode. We find the firing reliability of spinal rhythmic neurons to be lower in the second episode, except for excitatory descending interneurons (dINs). The sodium/proton antiporter, monensin, which potentiates Na(+) pump function, induced similar effects to short inter-swim intervals. A usAHP induced by supra-threshold pulses reduced neuronal firing reliability during swimming. It also increased the threshold current for spiking and introduced a delay to the first spike in a train, without reducing subsequent firing frequency. This delay was abolished by ouabain or zero K(+) saline, which eliminate the usAHP. We present evidence for an A-type K(+) current in spinal CPG neurons which is inactivated by depolarization and de-inactivated by hyperpolarization, and accounts for the prolonged delay. We conclude that the usAHP attenuates neuronal responses to excitatory network inputs by both membrane hyperpolarization and enhanced de-inactivation of an A-current.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9JP, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Hong-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9JP, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Picton
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9JP, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Wen-Chang
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9JP, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Keith T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Sillar
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D007395:Interneurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D010507:Periodicity; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase