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Slow transmission of neural activity in hippocampal area CA1 in absence of active chemical synapses

Nature volume 307, pages 69–71 (1984)Cite this article

Abstract

Transmission of neural activity in the mammalian cortex involves the operation of chemical synapses1,2. Here we report that activity of hippocampal pyramidal cells (HPC) in vitro can spread through the neural aggregate even when chemical synaptic transmission is blocked by lowering the external Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]0). In these conditions focal stimulation of the HPC body layer (stratum pyramidale) at area CA1 evokes a localized repetitive neural response which, when large enough, spreads along this layer in both transverse directions. It was recently reported for similar conditions3,4 that the activated HPC often discharge in synchrony. However, the spread of the neural response does not depend upon the occurrence of synchronized HPC activity, and therefore represents a distinct phenomenon.

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Author notes

  1. Y. Yaari: Department of Physiology, Hebrew University Medical School, PO Box 1172, Jerusalem 91010, Israel

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurophysiology, Max-Planck-Institut für Psychiatrie, Am Klopferspitz 18A, 8033, Planegg-Martinsried, FRG

    A. Konnerth, U. Heinemann & Y. Yaari

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  1. A. Konnerth
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  2. U. Heinemann
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  3. Y. Yaari
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Konnerth, A., Heinemann, U. & Yaari, Y. Slow transmission of neural activity in hippocampal area CA1 in absence of active chemical synapses. Nature 307, 69–71 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/307069a0

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