Rebound depolarization and potentiation

Abstract

The deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) are critical in defi ning the output of cerebellum. The DCN are positioned at the base of cerebellum where they receive collateral input from afferent excitatory mossy and climbing fi ber inputs and GABAergic inhibitory input from Purkinje cells of cerebellar cortex. DCN cells exhibit a form of rebound membrane depolarization following a hyperpolarization that gives rise to a rebound spike burst. Intracellular recordings and calcium imaging have established roles for virtually all classes of calcium channels in the rebound response, with additional roles for sodium, HCN, and potassium channels. Longterm potentiation of mossy fi ber inputs is further known to rely on ion channels involved in the rebound response, revealing a complex interplay that determines DCN cell excitability and thus the fi nal output from cerebellum.