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The role of negative conductances in neuronal subthreshold properties and synaptic integration

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Abstract

Based on passive cable theory, an increase in membrane conductance produces a decrease in the membrane time constant and input resistance. Unlike the classical leak currents, voltage-dependent currents have a nonlinear behavior which can create regions of negative conductance, despite the increase in membrane conductance (permeability). This negative conductance opposes the effects of the passive membrane conductance on the membrane input resistance and time constant, increasing their values and thereby substantially affecting the amplitude and time course of postsynaptic potentials at the voltage range of the negative conductance. This paradoxical effect has been described for three types of voltage-dependent inward currents: persistent sodium currents, L- and T-type calcium currents and ligand-gated glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate currents. In this review, we describe the impact of the creation of a negative conductance region by these currents on neuronal membrane properties and synaptic integration. We also discuss recent contributions of the quasi-active cable approximation, an extension of the passive cable theory that includes voltage-dependent currents, and its effects on neuronal subthreshold properties.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by FAPESP (2016/01607-4) and CNPq (470745/2012-6) grants to RML, and FAPESP (2013/07699-0) and CNPq (306251/2014-0) grants to ACR. CCC is a PhD scholarship recipient from CAPES.

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  1. Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

    Cesar C. Ceballos & Ricardo M. Leão

  2. Department of Physics, School of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

    Cesar C. Ceballos & Antonio C. Roque

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  1. Cesar C. Ceballos
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  2. Antonio C. Roque
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  3. Ricardo M. Leão
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Correspondence to Antonio C. Roque or Ricardo M. Leão.

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This article is part of a Special Issue on ‘Latin America’ edited by Pietro Ciancaglini and Rosangela Itri

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Ceballos, C.C., Roque, A.C. & Leão, R.M. The role of negative conductances in neuronal subthreshold properties and synaptic integration. Biophys Rev 9, 827–834 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12551-017-0300-8

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