Mechanisms Causing Plateau Potentials in Spinal Motoneurones

Abstract
Plateau potentials are generated by a voltage sensitive persistent inward current. In spinal motoneurones this current is predominantly mediated by influx of Caei through L-type Cae` channels of the Cav1.3 subtype. Depolarisation-induced facilitation of L-type Ca. channels is thought to be the mechanism for delayed activation (wind-up and warm-up) of the plateau potential and for the hysteresis in firing frequency and I-V relation during triangular depolarisation. L-type Cae’ channels and plateau potentials in spinal motoneurones are facilitated by activation of metabotropic receptors for glutamate, acetylcholine, noradrenaline and serotonin and down regulated by activation of GABAareceptors. The facilitation has been shown to depend on activated calmodulin.