Burst-pause firing is an electrophysiological phenomenon characterized by the presence of high frequency action potentials (APs) in bursts, with periods of pauses between the bursts. Burst-pause firing is a common type of neuronal firing pattern that has been observed in a variety of systems and is thought to be important in regulating neuronal activity and information transmission. Here, we review the current literature on burst-pause firing and discuss its potential functional significance.
Burst-pause firing has been reported in a range of neuronal types across a variety of species, including invertebrates (Hernández-Perez et al., 2013; Marder and Goaillard, 2006; Rabinovich et al., 2008; Ramirez et al., 2002), vertebrates (Borg-Graham et al., 1998; Crépel et al., 2006; Galarreta and Hestrin, 1999; Ikeda et al., 2009; Kuba et al., 1999; Larkum et al., 1999; Sato et al., 2005; Tsubokawa et al., 2002; Uhlrich et al., 2004) and even plants (Feuillet et al., 2010). In neurons, the burst-pause firing pattern is typically produced by a combination of membrane and synaptic properties. The underlying membrane properties include voltage-dependent sodium and potassium channels, as well as voltage- and calcium-dependent potassium channels (Larkum et al., 1999). The synaptic properties include properties of chemical synapses, such as synaptic delay, synaptic strength, and synaptic plasticity (Galarreta and Hestrin, 1999; Ikeda et al., 2009; Kuba et al., 1999; Sato et al., 2005; Tsubokawa et al., 2002).
The functional significance of burst-pause firing is still under investigation, but it has been suggested to play an important role in modulating the activity of the neurons that produce it. For example, it has been proposed that burst-pause firing might be involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity (Crépel et al., 2006; Galarreta and Hestrin, 1999; Kuba et al., 1999; Sato et al., 2005). In addition, it has been suggested that burst-pause firing might be involved in the control of network oscillations (Borg-Graham et al., 1998; Rabinovich et al., 2008; Uhlrich et al., 2004). Finally, it has been proposed that burst-pause firing might be involved in the production of complex behaviors (Hernández-Perez et al., 2013; Ramirez et al., 2002).
In conclusion, the phenomenon of burst-pause firing is a common type of neuronal firing pattern that has been observed in a variety of systems. Although the functional significance of burst-pause firing is still under investigation, it has been suggested to play an important role in modulating the activity of the neurons that produce it. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanism and functional significance of burst-pause firing.
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