Interneurons, like other types of neurons, can respond to neurotransmitter stimulation in various ways, leading to changes in membrane potential. Depending on the type of neurotransmitter and the receptors activated, the changes in membrane potential can result in either depolarization or hyperpolarization.
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Depolarization: If the neurotransmitter binding to its receptors causes an influx of positively charged ions (like Na+), this will lead to a decrease in the membrane potential (making it less negative), generating an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP). This could bring the neuron's membrane potential closer to the threshold for generating an action potential.
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Hyperpolarization: Conversely, if the neurotransmitter activation causes an influx of negatively charged ions (like Cl-) or an efflux of positively charged ions (like K+), this will lead to an increase in the membrane potential (making it more negative), generating an inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP). This moves the membrane potential further away from the threshold for firing an action potential.
Interneurons play a critical role in modulating the activity of other neurons within neural circuits, and their ability to exhibit both excitatory and inhibitory responses allows them to finely tune neuronal communication and processing within the central nervous system.
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