Non-spiking neuron
There are an abundance of neurons that propagate signals via action potentials and the mechanics of this particular kind of transmission is well understood[citation needed].
Non-spiking neurons were identified as a special kind of interneuron and function as an intermediary point of process for sensory-motor systems.
[1][2] Crustaceans and arthropods such as the crawfish have created many opportunities to learn about the modulatory role that these neurons have in addition to their potential to be modulated regardless of their lack of exhibiting spiking behavior.
[3] Advances in studying nonspiking neurons included determining new delineations among the different types of interneurons.
The rate of subsequent neurotransmitter release is linearly correlated with the magnitude and sign of summed inputs which allows them to preserve specific features of the eliciting stimulus, such as light quanta information by photoreceptors.
The major difference between these two neuron types is the manner in which encoded information is propagated along a length to the central nervous system or to some locus of interneurons, such as a neuromuscular junction.
The initial differentiation between PL and AL interneurons are their responses to GABA, a neurotransmitter for muscle tone.
[6] Many of the nonspiking neurons are found near neuromuscular junctions and exist as long fibers that help to innervate certain motor nerves such as the thoracic-coxal muscle receptor organ (TCMRO) of a crab.
Upon the opening of the eyes, these cells begin to shed their sodium ion channels and become non-spiking neurons.
These cells extend processes spanning >1mm across the retina and actively propagate dendritic spikes to and from the soma[8] Additionally, a spiking GABAergic nitric oxide producing amacrine cell type (nNOS-1 AC) has been identified in mice and is thought to play a role in precise feature extraction from light through a range of noisy background luminance.
The loss of the sodium channels is triggered by the opening of the eye correlating to the possibility of the environment playing a crucial role in determination of neural cell types.
This transition is not quite understood but heavily concludes that the spiking and non-spiking statuses occupied by the starburst amacrine cells are vital to the maturation of the eyes.
[7] By using known neurotransmitters that affect non-spiking neurons, modeled neural networks may be modified to either ease neuromuscular hyperactivity, or cells themselves may be transformed to be able to provide stronger signals.
A calcium transporter study indicates the effect that protein channels have on the overall fidelity and firing capacity of the non-spiking neurons.
[11] Since most of the propagated messages are based on a proportionality constant, meaning, there is not a temporal or spatial significance to the presynaptic firing, these signals literally "repeat what they have been told".
[15] By studying the nonspiking neuron, the field of neuroscience has benefited by having workable models that indicate how information is propagated through a neural network.
Some special advances made in the medical field based on structured models of biological systems include the cochlear implant, practices encouraged by Dr. VS Ramachandran on phantom limbs and other optical applications, and other devices that simulate electrical impulses for sensory signal transduction.
