Calcium-activated SK channels control firing regularity by modulating sodium channel availability in midbrain dopamine neurons.

ABSTRACT: Dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area regulate behaviours such as reward-related learning, and motor control. Dysfunction of these neurons is implicated in Schizophrenia, addiction to drugs, and Parkinson's disease. While some dopamine neurons fire single spikes at regular intervals, others fire irregular single spikes interspersed with bursts. Pharmacological inhibition of calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels increases the variability in their firing pattern, sometimes also increasing the number of spikes fired in bursts, indicating that SK channels play an important role in maintaining dopamine neuron firing regularity and burst firing. However, the exact mechanisms underlying these effects are still unclear. Here, we develop a biophysical

SUBMITTER: Iyer R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5507868 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature