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The membrane potential of a neuron refers to the relative difference of ionic (electric) charge across a membrane. It is created by differential ion concentrations, maintained by ion channels and ion transporters, and for most neurons, the resting membrane potential is around -70 mV. Changes in membrane potential are associated with depolarization and hyperpolarization.
How starburst amacrine cell (SAC) dendrites transform concentrically distributed synaptic inputs into branch-specific directional outputs is not fully understood. Here the authors report that dendritic mGluR2 signaling and somatic Kv3-mediated shunting coordinately implement SAC dendritic direction selectivity.
A multiplane confocal microscope provides high-contrast volumetric imaging at kilohertz rates. This system enables imaging of densely expressed genetically encoded voltage indicators with cellular resolution in the mouse brain in vivo and in vitro.
Behaviorally relevant neural rhythms have been mainly studied at the neural population level. Here, the authors show that subthreshold membrane voltage delta-frequency oscillations in individual striatal cholinergic neurons modulate spike timing, striatal network beta rhythmicity, and track patterned stepping movement.
A deep neural network model predicts theta oscillations in the mouse hippocampal CA1 area based on in vivo membrane potentials of as few as three pyramidal cells.
The authors present an in-depth investigation of excited state dynamics and molecular mechanism of the voltage sensing in microbial rhodopsins. Using a combination of spectroscopic investigations and molecular dynamics simulations, the study proposes the voltage-modulated deprotonation of the chromophore as the key event in the voltage sensing. Thus, molecular constraints that may further improve the fluorescence quantum yield and the voltage sensitivity are presented.
Using temperature-sensitive ion channels and magnetic nanoparticles attached to membranes of cells, the electrical activity in neurons can be controlled by an externally applied magnetic field.
