Electrophysiological and morphological properties of the ventral neurons in medial geniculate body in rats / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the electrophysiological and morphological properties of the single ventral neuron in the medial geniculate body (MGBv) in rats. Methods The basic electrophysiological properties and action potentials at different levels of membrane potentials were recorded by whole cell patch clamp technique. Morphological properties of ventral neurons in the medial geniculate body were studied by biocytin staining. Results Nissl and biocytin stainings indicated that MGBv neurons were composed of oval shaped cell bodies, and the dendritic branches were tufted. In current clamp recordings, the resting membrane potential was (-54.92?10.85) mV, the input resistance (945.67?507.80) M?, the membrane capacitance (5.37?1.98) pF, and the time constant (2 109 87 ?2 496 01) ?s. Action potentials under different current inputs were various. Spontaneous discharge could be recorded by voltage clamp and current clamp. Conclusion MGBv dendritic trees are fairly dense with bushy tufted neurons and variety of action potentials under different current inputs in ventral neurons of the medial geniculate body. Spontaneous activities recorded by current clamp are similar to the action potential, which may be the spontaneous action potential due to the exceeding of membrane potential over liminal value.