Patterned discharge of six different neurons in a single enteric ganglion

Summary

Impulses from six different neurons within a single ganglion of the myenteric plexus of an isolated segment of feline small intestine, which previously had been stored at 5°C for a period of 48 h, were recorded and each of the neurons is characterized by data collected over a continuous recording period of at least 40 min duration. Discharge of individual members of a group of four cells was detected concurrently by a single microelectrode at one position within the ganglion and spikes of two additional cells were detected later at a different electrode position within the same ganglion. Each of the neurons was spontaneosly active and periodically discharged bursts of action potentials with stereotyped patterns. Within the first group of four cells, variation of the discharge pattern of two of the cells was related to changes in firing pattern of a third cell. The two neurons of the second group displayed close temporal coupling indicative of driver-follower neurons.