Glia and the regulation of extracellular potassium concentration in the CNS
From WikiLectures
Through this mechanism, glia participate in information transmission in the CNS and ion balance:
- during action potential, potassium enters the extracellular space,
- an increase in extracellular potassium leads to long-lasting depolarization of neurons (suppresses nerve activity).
Removal of increased concentration of potassium (extracellular):
- diffusion,
- influx of potassium into glial cells,
- active transport of potassium into the neuron.
Other mechanisms of potassium homeostasis:
- transmembrane Na+ cycle,
- transfer of KCl (absorption),
- Ca2+/K+ interactive system.
The movement of potassium into glia is referred to as spatial buffering. Glia are connected by gap junctions (ion movement is not restricted)
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Source[edit | edit source]
- MYSLIVEČEK, Jaromír. Základy neurověd. 2. vydání. Praha : Triton, 2009. ISBN 978-80-7387-088-1.
