Motor cortex analogue neurons in songbirds utilize Kv3 channels to generate ultranarrow spikes.

ABSTRACT: Complex motor skills in vertebrates require specialized upper motor neurons with precise action potential (AP) firing. To examine how diverse populations of upper motor neurons subserve distinct functions and the specific repertoire of ion channels involved, we conducted a thorough study of the excitability of upper motor neurons controlling somatic motor function in the zebra finch. We found that robustus arcopallialis projection neurons (RAPNs), key command neurons for song production, exhibit ultranarrow spikes and higher firing rates compared to neurons controlling non-vocal somatic motor functions (dorsal intermediate arcopallium [AId] neurons). Pharmacological and molecular data indicate that this striking difference is associated with the higher expression in RAPNs of high threshold

SUBMITTER: Zemel BM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10241522 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature