In this article, we will take a close look at the process of neuron activation, particularly relating to action potentials. We will understand the role of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in neuron activation, and discuss the innovative methods like optogenetics and chemogenetics used in labs to activate neurons. We will also explore the critical role of neuron activation in our daily activities such as movement, vision, hearing, and thinking.
Author - Klara Hatinova
Klara is a postgraduate researcher in experimental psychology at the University of Oxford.
Klara used MediSearch to find sources for this blog.
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What is Neuron Activation?
Neuron activation occurs when a neuron reaches its hyperpolarisation threshold through a combination of electrical input and its accumulation within the cell body. Another word for neuron activation is an action potential - an impulse that is generated at one end of a neuron and transmitted down the axon to a proximal or distal target [1, 2].
The action potential is propagated thanks to sodium channels, which open in response to a shift in the electrochemical gradient that the neuron activation generates [3].
An action potential is a rapid sequence of changes in the voltage across a cell membrane, primarily driven by the opening and closing of ion channels. The process begins with a change in sodium channel permeability, causing sodium ions to rush into the cell, a process known as depolarization. This action potential spreads to adjacent sections of the axon, creating an electrochemical wave 1. The subsequent return to resting potential, repolarization, is mediated by the opening of potassium ion channels. An ATP-driven pump (Na/K-ATPase) then reestablishes the balance of ions by moving sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell 2. This process is a dissipative one, producing entropy and using free energy, and it involves an exogenous energy source, as the energy dissipated by the ionic flows or the applied stimulus depolarization are far too small to account for the overall energy balance 3.
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