Skip to main content
Log in

Summation of excitation and inhibition in a second order sensory neuron investigated by computer simulation

  • Published:
Biological Cybernetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Dorsal spinocerebellar tract (DSCT) neurones adequately activated by primary afferents from the muscle spindles in one muscle in the hindleg of the cat, is regularly inhibited by primary afferents from other muscles. The inhibitory input causes a constant reduction in firing frequency independent of the excitatory drive of the cell. In a simple model the effects of presynaptic inhibition and of postsynaptic inhibition with different time course of the inhibitory action, have been explored. Within the scope of this model, only postsynaptic inhibition with a very long time-constant could explain the experimental results. It is suggested that the inhibitory action is transmitted to the DSCT-cell through a number of synapses distributed over the dendrites.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Birtwistle, G.M., Dahl, O.-J., Myrhaug, B., Nygaard, K.: Simula begin. Studentlitteratur, Lund 1970

  • Fenstad, G.U., Njå, A., Walløe, L.: Summation of excitation and inhibition in the slowly adapting stretch receptor neuron of the crayfish. Biol. Cybernetics 24, 67–74 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Granit, R., Renkin, B.: Net depolarization and discharge rate of motoneurons, as measured, by recurrent inhibition. J. Physiol. (London) 158, 461–475 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Granit, R., Kernell, D., Lamarre, Y.: Algebraical summation in synaptic activation of motoneurons firing within the “primary range” to injected currents. J. Physiol. (London) 187, 379–399 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Halvorsen, Ø.: Simuleringsmodeller for inhibisjon av andre ordens nerveceller. Publ. no. 486, Norwegian computing center, Oslo 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartline, H.K., Ratliff, F.: Inhibitory interaction of receptor units in the eye of Limulus. J. Gen. Physiol. 40, 357–376 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hongo, T., Okada, M.: Cortically evoked pre-and postsynaptic inhibition of impulse transmission to the dorsal spinocerebellar tract. Exp. Brain Res. 3, 163–177 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jansen, J.K.S., Nicolaysen, K., Rudjord, T.: Discharge pattern of neurons of the dorsal spinocerebellar tract activated by static extension of primary endings of muscle spindles. J. Neurophysiol. 29, 1061–1086 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jansen, J.K.S., Nicolaysen, K., Walløe, L.: The firing pattern of dorsal spinocerebellar tract neurons during inhibition. Acta Physiol. Scand. 77, 68–84 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jansen, J.K.S., Njå, A., Ormstad, K., Walloø, L.: Inhibitory control of the abdominal stretch receptors of the crayfish III. The accessory reflex as a recurrent inhibitory feedback. Acta Physiol. Scand. 81, 472–483 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lundberg, A.: Asoending spinal hindlimbs pathways in the cat. In: Physiology of spinal neurons. Eccles, J.C., Schade, J.P. (eds.), pp. 135–163. (Progress in brain research, Vol. 12) Amsterdam: Elsevier 1964

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, P.B.C.: Mammalian muscle receptors and their central actions. London: Edward Arnold 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Stein, R.B.: A theoretical analysis of neuronal variability. Biophys. J. 5, 173–194 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Szentagothai, J., Albert, A.: The synaptology of Clarke's column. Acta Morph. Acad. Sci. Hung. 5, 43–51 (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  • Walløe, L., Jansen, J.K.S., Nygaard, K.: A computer simulated model of a second order sensory neurone. Kybernetik 6, 130–140 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Halvorsen, Ø., Walløe, L. Summation of excitation and inhibition in a second order sensory neuron investigated by computer simulation. Biol. Cybernetics 36, 153–158 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00365769

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00365769

Keywords

Navigation