Continuous membrane potential fluctuations in motor cortex and striatum neurons during voluntary forelimb movements and pauses

Publication date: Available online 4 March 2017
Source:Neuroscience Research
Author(s): Satoshi Nonomura, Yoko Fujiwara-Tsukamoto, Takafumi Kajihara, Fumino Fujiyama, Yoshikazu Isomura
Theoretical simulations suggest that spike rate is regulated by varying both membrane potential and its fluctuation. We investigated whether membrane potential fluctuation functionally changes in motor cortex and striatum neurons during discrete forelimb movements and pauses, or at rest, using whole-cell recording in task-performing rats. Membrane potential fluctuation was diminished by task performance, but maintained overall in the alpha/beta and gamma bands during forelimb movements and pauses. By contrast, membrane potential itself was correlated with spike rate in task-related neurons. Thus, membrane potential, but not its fluctuation, is a critical determinant of execution and pausing of discrete movements.



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