<p>The key to determining if depolarizing a neuron will result in an action potential is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threshold_potential" rel="nofollow noreferrer">threshold potential</a> of the cell. The threshold potential is basically the voltage, around -55 mV, at which the Na+ channels open. A number of factors (covered in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threshold_potential#cite_note-FOOTNOTESeifter200555-1" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Wikipedia</a>) affect the exact threshold potential.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-22T20:32:13.880Z
I read that Wikipedia page some time ago - so you're say the means specified in the page cover all known ways that the threshold can be affected? I'm never quite sure how thorough Wikipedia is on a topic.
J.Todd
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-22T20:36:08.823Z
@Viziionary you asked *do they vary*, to which I provided a link that says *yes*. If instead you are interested in all factors that affect the threshold potential, that is a different question.
StrongBad
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2017-10-22T20:37:22.097Z
Well I asked "Do they vary *significantly*" ... *"and if so, are they affected by [this specific factor]"* I did recall that the thresholds shift, but not whether the change could be dramatic or more or less fairly similar.
J.Todd
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-22T20:04:17.623Z
2017-10-22T20:04:17.623Z
StrongBad
<p>To clarify, I'm asking if the level of stimulation / polarization required for a neuron to reach action potential / excite the neuron varies significantly from neuron to neuron- even differing in neurons of the same type. </p>

<p>And if so, I'm curious to know whether the number of the neurons feeding into a neuron (and the frequency by which they normally fire) corresponds to the level of stimulation required for excitement. I'm wondering if neurons' thresholds for action have sensitivities (levels of input required to reach action potential) based on the number of neurons feeding into them in order to create a balance of input rate / excitement rate. </p>

<p>To rephrase the question, I'd like to know if the action threshold of a neuron changes to fit the frequency with which it's excited. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-22T17:09:04.060Z
If anyone cares to correct my lack of proper neuroscience vocabulary with proper terminology, feel free to do so, whether it be via edit or comment.
J.Todd
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-22T17:16:07.360Z
Could I delete the middle paragraph and still have expressed the question fully?
J.Todd
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-22T20:06:00.423Z
What do you mean by frequency? Do you mean the rate of [EPSPs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excitatory_postsynaptic_potential)?
StrongBad
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-22T20:35:44.113Z
@StrongBad I'm referring only to the frequency with which the neuron is excited by other connected neurons. Maybe "excited" isn't the best word, what term would I use to express the transfer of electric signal from one neuron (after reaching action threshold) to another?
J.Todd
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-22T20:38:29.000Z
Neurons do not transfer the electric signal. The action potential causes neurotransmitter to be released, which then crosses the synapse, which then results in depolarization, and possibly an action potential. That is why the concept of frequency seems odd to me.
StrongBad
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-22T20:42:37.977Z
@StrongBad Sorry, I realize they don't physically transfer an electric signal, I used that term as an oversimplification based on the same oversimplification being used in [this video on Action Potential](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAmUjvgoO0A) I recently watched. But alright, so to be specific, a neurotransmitter crosses the synapse - to describe that more simply, would it be effective to use the term "communicate" or is there a better verb in neuroscience to describe that particular interaction?
J.Todd
<neuroscience><cognitive-neuroscience>
Do action potential thresholds vary in "capacity" significantly, and if so, does input frequency correspond to action potential thresholds?
J.Todd
# Do action potential thresholds vary in "capacity" significantly, and if so, does input frequency correspond to action potential thresholds?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-10-22)

To clarify, I'm asking if the level of stimulation / polarization required for a neuron to reach action potential / excite the neuron varies significantly from neuron to neuron- even differing in neurons of the same type.

And if so, I'm curious to know whether the number of the neurons feeding into a neuron (and the frequency by which they normally fire) corresponds to the level of stimulation required for excitement. I'm wondering if neurons' thresholds for action have sensitivities (levels of input required to reach action potential) based on the number of neurons feeding into them in order to create a balance of input rate / excitement rate.

To rephrase the question, I'd like to know if the action threshold of a neuron changes to fit the frequency with which it's excited.

**Tags:** neuroscience, cognitive-neuroscience

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: If anyone cares to correct my lack of proper neuroscience vocabulary with proper terminology, feel free to do so, whether it be via edit or comment.  
> **username_0**: Could I delete the middle paragraph and still have expressed the question fully?  
> **username_1**: What do you mean by frequency? Do you mean the rate of [EPSPs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excitatory_postsynaptic_potential)?  
> **username_0**: @username_1 I'm referring only to the frequency with which the neuron is excited by other connected neurons. Maybe "excited" isn't the best word, what term would I use to express the transfer of electric signal from one neuron (after reaching action threshold) to another?  
> **username_1**: Neurons do not transfer the electric signal. The action potential causes neurotransmitter to be released, which then crosses the synapse, which then results in depolarization, and possibly an action potential. That is why the concept of frequency seems odd to me.  
> **username_0**: @username_1 Sorry, I realize they don't physically transfer an electric signal, I used that term as an oversimplification based on the same oversimplification being used in [this video on Action Potential](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAmUjvgoO0A) I recently watched. But alright, so to be specific, a neurotransmitter crosses the synapse - to describe that more simply, would it be effective to use the term "communicate" or is there a better verb in neuroscience to describe that particular interaction?  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-10-22. Score: 2

The key to determining if depolarizing a neuron will result in an action potential is the [threshold potential](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threshold_potential) of the cell. The threshold potential is basically the voltage, around -55 mV, at which the Na+ channels open. A number of factors (covered in [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threshold_potential#cite_note-FOOTNOTESeifter200555-1)) affect the exact threshold potential.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I read that Wikipedia page some time ago - so you're say the means specified in the page cover all known ways that the threshold can be affected? I'm never quite sure how thorough Wikipedia is on a topic.  
> **username_1**: @Viziionary you asked *do they vary*, to which I provided a link that says *yes*. If instead you are interested in all factors that affect the threshold potential, that is a different question.  
> **username_0**: Well I asked "Do they vary *significantly*" ... *"and if so, are they affected by [this specific factor]"* I did recall that the thresholds shift, but not whether the change could be dramatic or more or less fairly similar.  

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