Electrical constants of neurons in the motor cortex of the cat.

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Abstract
Single and double intracellular microelectrode techniques were used to determine the electrical membrane properties of neurons in the motor cortex of barbiturate anesthetized cats. The total somadendritic membrane resistance for large Betz cells was 6.70 + 1.90 M[OMEGA] ; no rectification was found within the physiological range of membrane voltage. The membrane time constant of Betz cells, determined on the basis of a "cable" model was 8.40 + 1.41 msec. Somatic capacitance values between 0.10 to 0.28 m[mu]F were obtained from dV/dt slope measurements following current step applications and using estimates of the dendritic-somatic conductance ratios which ranged from 3 to 10. Compared with anatomical data, specific capacitances between 1.5 to 5.0 [mu]F/cm2 seem probable. There is evidence for a relatively high specific membrane resistance (in the order of 1000 to 6000[OMEGA] cm2) which would enhance the role of distant dendrites.

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