S. Grillner et al., Ion channels of importance for the locomotor pattern generation in the lamprey brainstem-spinal cord, J PHYSL LON, 533(1), 2001, pp. 23-30
The intrinsic function of the spinal network that generates locomotion can
be studied in the isolated brainstem-spinal cord of the lamprey, a lower ve
rtebrate. The motor pattern underlying locomotion can be elicited in the is
olated spinal cord. The network consists of excitatory glutamatergic and in
hibitory glycinergic interneurones with known connectivity. The current rev
iew addresses the different subtypes of ion channels that are present in th
e cell types that constitute the network. In particular the roles of the di
fferent subtypes of Ca2+ channels and potassium channels that regulate inte
grated neuronal functions, like frequency regulation, spike frequency adapt
ation and properties that are important for generating features of the moto
r pattern (e.g. burst termination), are reviewed. By knowing the role of an
ion channel at the cellular level, we also, based on previous knowledge of
network connectivity, can understand which effect a given ion channel may
exert at the different levels from molecule and cell to network and behavio
ur.