ABSTRACT
Neuroendocrine cells represent a class of central neurons that release peptides directly into the circulatory system. Release of these hormones depends on action potentials, and is therefore controlled by the electrical activity of the neuroendocrine cell. This chapter considers the utility and limitations of different methods for investigating electrical activity in neuroendocrine cells. Voltage variations that contribute to neuron excitability are most directly studied with so-called “current-clamp” recordings. Voltage-clamp recordings have been used in magnocellular neuroendocrine cells (MNC) to examine activation, inactivation, and gating properties of voltage-dependent conductances underlying the potentials observed in current-clamp mode. The electrophysiological characteristics of MNCs have been examined in both cultured and dissociated preparations. Hypothalamic neuron cultures have been used to examine developmentally regulated membrane properties. In slices, extracellular stimulation can be used to activate synaptic inputs or antidromically activate neuroendocrine cells. Intracellular recordings have been used to elucidate cellular mechanisms underlying the firing characteristics of neuroendocrine cells.
