Oscillatory behavior in inferior olive neurons: mechanism, modulation, cell aggregates.

Inferior olive neurons, in brain slices maintained in vitro, display spontaneous, continuous oscillations of their membrane potential which are consonant with olivary rhythmic activity seen in vivo. This oscillatory behavior was studied with intracellular electrophysiological techniques. The 3-10 Hz rhythmicity of these cells from guinea pigs is tetrodotoxin resistant and dependent on a somatic calcium conductance. The oscillatory behavior can exhibit intrinsic frequency modulation and can be altered by synaptic processes. Synaptic alteration of the oscillatory behavior by afferent sources and extensive electrotonic coupling between cells in local aggregates (shown by Lucifer yellow dye-coupling) provide the substrate for a potent central pattern generator with a well established efferent pathway for control of motor functions.