Excitatory postsynaptic potentials trigger a plateau potential in rat subthalamic neurons at hyperpolarized states.

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) directly innervates the output structures of the basal ganglia, playing a key role in basal ganglia function. It is therefore important to understand the regulatory mechanisms for the activity of STN neurons. In the present study, we aimed to investigate how the intrinsic membrane properties of STN neurons interact with their synaptic inputs, focusing on their generation and the properties of the long-lasting, plateau potential. Whole cell recordings were obtained from STN neurons in slices prepared from postnatal day 14 (P14) to P20 rats. We found that activation of glutamate receptor-mediated excitatory synaptic potentials (EPSPs) evoked a plateau potential in a subpopulation of STN neurons (n = 13/22), in a voltage-dependent manner. Plateau potentials could be induced only when the cell was hyperpolarized to more negative than about -75 mV. Plateau potentials, evoked with a depolarizing current pulse, again only from a hyperpolarized state, were observed in about half of STN neurons tested (n = 162/327). Only in neurons in which a plateau potential could be evoked by current injection did EPSPs evoke plateau potentials. L-type Ca(2+) channels, Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) channels, and TEA-sensitive K(+) channels were found to be involved in the generation of the potential. The stability of the plateau potential, tested by the injection of a negative pulse current during the plateau phase, was found to be robust at the early phase of the potential, but decreased toward the end. As a result the early part of the plateau potential was resistant to membrane potential perturbations and would be able to support a train of action potentials. We conclude that excitatory postsynaptic potentials, evoked in a subpopulation of STN neurons at a hyperpolarized state, activate L-type Ca(2+) and other channels, leading to the generation of a plateau potential. Thus about half of STN neurons can transform short-lasting synaptic excitation into a long train of output spikes by voltage-dependent generation of a plateau potential.