Electrotonic coupling between neurones in the XXXX mesencephalic nucleus.

@entity35 @entity851
Electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve evokes a ;short latency depolarization' ( @entity851 ) in the first order sensory neurones of the mesencephalic nucleus (MSN) of the Vth nerve in the @entity35 . A series of experiments suggesting ;electrotonic coupling' as the mechanism for this @entity851 is provided.1. Electrical activity of MSN neurones was recorded intracellularly as action potentials were conducted from the periphery (somatopetally) to the masticatory nucleus. Typical sequential invasion of the initial segment and somatic region (IS-S) of the neurones was seen. The somatopetal activation of MSN neurones was characterized by the brevity, short refractoriness, high safety factor (IS-S), and short after-hyperpolarization of the spike potential.2. In twenty-three (10.5%) of the penetrated neurones, stimulation at levels subthreshold for somatopetal activation uncovered a @entity851 with a mean latency of 180 musec.3. The SLDs were found to be all-or-none in nature, and to have constant amplitude and latency for a given cell, plus a short half decay time.4. Hyperpolarization of a MSN neurone through the recording electrode produced a blockage of the IS-S spike and revealed M-spikes and SLDs which could be clearly separated, in every instance, as distinct all-or-none components. The amplitude of the @entity851 was found to be insensitive to the level of membrane potential within the ranges tested.5. In fifteen neurones the @entity851 generated action potentials which were conducted somatofugally as shown by their collision with somatopetally conducted action potentials in the same cell. The lack of collision between the @entity851 and somatopetal spikes demonstrated the independent origin of these two potentials.6. The independence of the @entity851 from the somatopetal invasion of the cell was also demonstrated by collision of a somatofugal action potential following direct stimulation through the recording micro-electrode and a somatopetal spike following trigeminal stimulation.7. Two possible mechanisms are considered for the genesis of the @entity851 : chemical synaptic transmission and electrotonic coupling between neighbouring cells. The conclusion is drawn that SLDs must be generated by the latter mechanism.
