The Endbulbs of Held

摘要: A remarkable nerve terminal is present at the endings of auditory fibers (ANFs) in anterior ventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN), called “endbulb Held.” The endbulbs are complex synaptic that provide a coordinated release from multiple presynaptic sites neurotransmitter onto their target postsynaptic cells, globular and spherical bushy cells nucleus. These synapses play key role bringing precisely timed representation sound into central system. Traditionally, endbulbs, owing to large size presence zones, were thought “secure” synapse between neurons, cells. However, this view has been strongly challenged by several recent observations. While indeed particularly strong synapse, they subject dynamic regulation transmitter probability receptor sensitivity, ability initiate action potentials cell not immune inhibition. Integration convergence endbulb an important part processing. In particular, can fire more specific temporal features acoustic stimuli than individual fiber inputs. found widely mammals including humans (Adams 1986), as well birds (Carr Boudreau 1991; Koppl 1994) reptiles (Browner Marbey 1988; Szpir et al. 1990), but amphibians less clear (Lewis 1980; Feng Lin 1996).