Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

3-28-2012

Publisher

Society for Neuroscience

Source Publication

The Journal of Neuroscience

Source ISSN

0270-6474

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4709-11.2012

Abstract

Inhibition usually decreases input–output excitability of neurons. If, however, inhibition is coupled to excitation in a push–pull fashion, where inhibition decreases as excitation increases, neuron excitability can be increased. Although the presence of push–pull organization has been demonstrated in single cells, its functional impact on neural processing depends on its effect on the system level. We studied push–pull in the motor output stage of the feline spinal cord, a system that allows independent control of inhibitory and excitatory components. Push–pull organization was clearly present in ankle extensor motoneurons, producing increased peak-to-peak modulation of synaptic currents. The effect at the system level was equally strong. Independent control of the inhibitory component showed that the stronger the background of inhibition, the greater the peak force production. This illustrates the paradox at the heart of push–pull organization: increased force output can be achieved by increasing background inhibition to provide greater disinhibition.

Comments

Published Version. Journal of Neuroscience, Vol. 32, No. 13 (March 2012): 4592-4599. DOI. © 2012 The Authors. Used with permission.

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