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Rapid, synaptically driven increases in the intrinsic excitability of cerebellar deep nuclear neurons

Nature Neuroscience volume 3, pages 109–111 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

The neurons of the cerebellar deep nuclei are implicated in certain forms of motor learning such as associative eyeblink conditioning, partly because increases in their firing rates parallel acquisition of the conditioned response. Here we demonstrate that these neurons can show persistent increases in their intrinsic excitability following a Ca2+ load imposed by synaptic activation of NMDA receptors or direct current injection. This phenomenon, together with use-dependent alterations in synaptic strength, may provide a flexible and informationally rich engram for cerebellar motor learning.

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Figure 1: Tetanization of excitatory synapses produces a sustained increase in intrinsic excitability of DCN neurons
Figure 2: Sustained increases in intrinsic excitability of DCN cells require Ca2+ influx.

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Acknowledgements

We thank C. Hansel, A. Kirkwood, H.-K. Lee and S. Morris for suggestions. This work was supported by MH01590 and the Develbiss Fund (D.J.L.) and a fellowship from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (C.D.A.).

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  1. Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore , 21205, Maryland, USA

    Carlos D. Aizenman & David J. Linden

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  1. Carlos D. Aizenman
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  2. David J. Linden
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Correspondence to David J. Linden.

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Aizenman, C., Linden, D. Rapid, synaptically driven increases in the intrinsic excitability of cerebellar deep nuclear neurons. Nat Neurosci 3, 109–111 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/72049

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