Purkinje neurons: What is the signal for complex spikes?

Curr Biol. 2008 Oct 28;18(20):R969-71. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2008.08.056.

Abstract

Cerebellar Purkinje neurons generate characteristic complex spikes; but are these bursts of activity generated by somatic or dendritic excitability? A recent study may have settled this debate by giving the soma the dominant role, but it does not fully resolve the question of what information is transmitted downstream of the Purkinje cells.

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Axons / physiology
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cerebellar Cortex / physiology
  • Dendrites / physiology
  • Neural Conduction / physiology
  • Purkinje Cells / physiology*

Substances

  • Calcium