A mechanism for minimizing temperature effects on repetitive firing frequency

The magnitudes and time courses of conductance changes in molluscan neurons show marked temperature dependence. Interestingly, though, the relationship between repetitive firing frequency and stimulus current is not greatly affected by moderated temperature changes (6-8 degrees C). The transient potassium current, IA, is largely reponsible for the interspike voltage trajectory, hence, repetitive interval, in molluscan neurons. It is shown in this study that temperature dependencies of the rate constants and magnitude of the IA system are balanced in such a way that the observed temperature insensitivity of the repetitive response is predicted.