Slow-wave potential

When the amplitude of slow waves in smooth muscle cells reaches the slow-wave threshold — the L-type Ca2+ channels are activated, resulting in calcium influx and initiation of motility.

[7] Gastric slow waves occur at around 3 cycles-per-minute in humans and exhibit significance variances in both amplitudes and propagation velocities in the stomach[8][9][10] due to the existence of a gradient of resting membrane potential gradient,[11] interstitial cells of Cajal distributions, and gastric wall thickness.

Extracellular bioelectrical recording studies have demonstrated that gastric slow waves originate from a pacemaker region located on the greater curvature of the stomach.

Similar to the stomach, intestinal slow waves frequency, propagation velocity, and amplitude also demonstrate significant inter-species differences.

[14] In gastrointestinal smooth muscle, the slow-wave threshold can be altered by input from endogenous and exogenous innervation, as well as excitatory (acetylcholine and Substance P) and inhibitory (vasoactive intestinal peptide and nitric oxide) compounds.