Electroresponsive properties of dendrites in central neurons.

A brief sketch of the historic development of the concept of neuronal integration is given. Some of the properties of dendritic spikes in chromatolyzed motoneurons, alligator Purkinje cells, and fish oculomotor neurons are reviewed, as well as the various ways in which the generation of dendritic spikes has altered our basic concept of neuronal integration. The principles of dendritic inhibition are elaborated, both as a "tonic modulatory action" and as a "functional amputating system" for dendrites that generate spikes.