Physiology, morphology, and pharmacology of neurons in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus of the mouse studied in brain slices

Abstract

Intracellular recordings from brain slice preparations of the anteroventral cochlear nucleus show that the two major cell types, bushy and stellate cells, have different intrinsic membrane properties. To correlate physiological properties with morphology, cells were injected with horseradish peroxidase after their electrical properties were studied. Bushy cells have nonlinear current‐voltage relationships around the resting potential; stellate cells have linear current‐voltage relationships. Both bushy and stellate cells respond to electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve with early excitatory and later inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. The properties of bushy cells allow them to preserve the temporal firing pattern of excitatory synaptic inputs. To learn what neurotransmitters might mediate synaptic inputs onto stellate and bushy cells, bath applications were made of presumptive neurotransmitters and their antagonists. Inhibitory synaptic responses to stimulation of the auditory nerve stump are blo...