Jason Tait Sanchez
Northwestern University, USA
Title: Ion channels regulate biophysical specializations in the auditory brainstem
Biography
Biography: Jason Tait Sanchez
Abstract
Ultrafast and temporally precise action potentials are biophysical specializations of auditory brainstem neurons; properties
necessary for encoding sound localization and communication cues. Fundamental to this, are voltage dependent potassium
and sodium ion channels. In this presentation, I will report our recent findings on how these ion channels shape action potential
properties in the developing auditory brainstem. Using patchclamp recordings from individual cochlear nucleus neurons, our results
indicate that the refinement of active ion channel properties operate differentially in order to develop action potential specializations.
Such differential regulation promotes the firing of fast, reliable and phased-locked action potentials at relatively high rates of afferent
stimulation, a biophysical property required for normal auditory information processing. Developmental changes in ion channel
subunit content were the largest contributor to this process and blockade of specific ion channel function resulted in aberrant neuronal
excitability and action potential control. The idea that the regulation of ion channel properties is a critical mechanism underlying
auditory pathophysiological conditions will also be discussed.