[Post-tetanic changes in the excitation threshold of the excitable membrane of a cortical neuron by a depolarizing current].

Posttetanic plasticity of cortical neurone is attended with reversible changes in the threshold of stimulation of the electrically excitable membrane with depolarizing current, and in its excitability. In the period of posttetanic facilitation, the stimulation threshold is lowered while the membrane excitability is enhanced. In the period of posttetanic depression, the stimulation threshold is higher, the membrane excitability is reduced. Definite directions of changes in the threshold of stimulation of the electrically excitable membrane with depolarizing current and, correspondingly, in its excitability, peculiar to each kind of posttetanic plasticity, testify to active contribution of the membrane to the organization of plastic rearrangements of the neurone's spike response.