# Past and Future of Analog-Digital Modulation of Synaptic Transmission

Mickael Zbili, Dominique Debanne

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Mickael Zbili, Dominique Debanne. Past and Future of Analog-Digital Modulation of Synaptic Transmission. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 2019, 13, 10.3389/fncel.2019.00160. hal-04271999

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<figure><img src="image_1.png" /></figure>

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# Past and Future of Analog-Digital Modulation of Synaptic Transmission

Mickael Zbili¹,²* and Dominique Debanne¹*

¹UNIS, UMR 1072, INSERM AMU, Marseille, France, ²CRNL, INSERM U1028-CNRS UMR5292—Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Lyon, France

Action potentials (APs) are generally produced in response to complex summation of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. While it is usually considered as a digital event, both the amplitude and width of the AP are significantly impacted by the context of its emission. In particular, the analog variations in subthreshold membrane potential determine the spike waveform and subsequently affect synaptic strength, leading to the so-called analog-digital modulation of synaptic transmission. We review here the numerous evidence suggesting context-dependent modulation of spike waveform, the discovery analog-digital modulation of synaptic transmission in invertebrates and its recent validation in mammals. We discuss the potential roles of analog-digital transmission in the physiology of neural networks.

**Keywords:** axon, ion channels, synaptic transmission, brain circuits, short-term plasticity

**OPEN ACCESS**

**Edited by:**

Shin-ya Kawaguchi,
Kyoto University, Japan

**Reviewed by:**

Michael Blake Hoppa,
Dartmouth College, United States
Yousheng Shu,
Beijing Normal University, China

*Correspondence:

Mickael Zbili
zbili.mickael@gmail.com
Dominique Debanne
dominique.debanne@inserm.fr

Received: 01 March 2019

Accepted: 08 April 2019

Published: 24 April 2019

**Citation:**
Zbili M and Debanne D (2019) Past and Future of Analog-Digital Modulation of Synaptic Transmission.
Front. Cell. Neurosci. 13:160.
doi: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00160

## THE ACTION POTENTIAL IS NOT A DIGITAL EVENT

In the central nervous system (CNS), synaptic transmission is mainly supported by APs, i.e., it occurs when a spike has been emitted in the presynaptic cell. Classically, the analogy is made between the spike and the basic unit of information used in computers (bit), i.e., the spike is thought to be the minimal unit of information that a neuron can emit. In this view, the spike is seen as an “all-or-none” digital phenomenon whose shape is constant or whose shape modifications are not relevant for neuronal processing (Maley, 2018). These two assertions are wrong in most of the neuronal cell types, despite some cases showing very stable spike shape (Sierksma and Borst, 2017; **Figure 1A**).

In most neurons, the spike waveform is highly variable in function of the quantity of voltage-gated channels available at spike emission. This quantity depends on two parameters: the density and the level of inactivation of the channels. In this review, we will focus on variations in axonal spike shape that impact neurotransmitter release and synaptic strength.

The first source of spike shape modification is the neuronal firing rate. Repetitive firing may cause inactivation of both voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav) and voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv). Nav inactivation leads to a decrease in spike amplitude during AP trains (Brody and Yue, 2000; Prakriya and Mennerick, 2000; He et al., 2002; Kawaguchi and Sakaba, 2015; Ma et al., 2017; Ohura and Kamiya, 2018; **Figure 1B**), while Kv inactivation leads to an
<figure><img src="image_2.png" /></figure>

# Past and Future of Analog-Digital Modulation of Synaptic Transmission

Mickael Zbili¹,²* and Dominique Debanne¹*

¹UNIS, UMR 1072, INSERM AMU, Marseille, France, ²CRNL, INSERM U1028-CNRS UMR5292—Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Lyon, France

Action potentials (APs) are generally produced in response to complex summation of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. While it is usually considered as a digital event, both the amplitude and width of the AP are significantly impacted by the context of its emission. In particular, the analog variations in subthreshold membrane potential determine the spike waveform and subsequently affect synaptic strength, leading to the so-called analog-digital modulation of synaptic transmission. We review here the numerous evidence suggesting context-dependent modulation of spike waveform, the discovery analog-digital modulation of synaptic transmission in invertebrates and its recent validation in mammals. We discuss the potential roles of analog-digital transmission in the physiology of neural networks.

**Keywords:** axon, ion channels, synaptic transmission, brain circuits, short-term plasticity

**OPEN ACCESS**

**Edited by:**

Shin-ya Kawaguchi,
Kyoto University, Japan

**Reviewed by:**

Michael Blake Hoppa,
Dartmouth College, United States
Yousheng Shu,
Beijing Normal University, China

*Correspondence:

Mickael Zbili
zbili.mickael@gmail.com
Dominique Debanne
dominique.debanne@inserm.fr

**Received:** 01 March 2019

**Accepted:** 08 April 2019

**Published:** 24 April 2019

**Citation:**
Zbili M and Debanne D (2019) Past and Future of Analog-Digital Modulation of Synaptic Transmission.
Front. Cell. Neurosci. 13:160.
doi: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00160

## THE ACTION POTENTIAL IS NOT A DIGITAL EVENT

In the central nervous system (CNS), synaptic transmission is mainly supported by APs, i.e., it occurs when a spike has been emitted in the presynaptic cell. Classically, the analogy is made between the spike and the basic unit of information used in computers (bit), i.e., the spike is thought to be the minimal unit of information that a neuron can emit. In this view, the spike is seen as an “all-or-none” digital phenomenon whose shape is constant or whose shape modifications are not relevant for neuronal processing (Maley, 2018). These two assertions are wrong in most of the neuronal cell types, despite some cases showing very stable spike shape (Sierksma and Borst, 2017; **Figure 1A**).

In most neurons, the spike waveform is highly variable in function of the quantity of voltage-gated channels available at spike emission. This quantity depends on two parameters: the density and the level of inactivation of the channels. In this review, we will focus on variations in axonal spike shape that impact neurotransmitter release and synaptic strength.

The first source of spike shape modification is the neuronal firing rate. Repetitive firing may cause inactivation of both voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav) and voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv). Nav inactivation leads to a decrease in spike amplitude during AP trains (Brody and Yue, 2000; Prakriya and Mennerick, 2000; He et al., 2002; Kawaguchi and Sakaba, 2015; Ma et al., 2017; Ohura and Kamiya, 2018; **Figure 1B**), while Kv inactivation leads to an
<figure><img src="image_1.png" /><figcaption>**B** Modulation of AP amplitude
Purkinje cell bouton (in vitro)</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_2.png" /><figcaption>**C** Modulation of AP duration
Hippocampal granule cells bouton (in vitro)</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_3.png" /></figure>

**FIGURE 1** | Effect of repetitive firing on axonal Action Potential (AP) shape. (A) AP waveform is highly stable during high-frequency trains in the Calyx of Held recorded *in vivo*. Note that the APs are indistinguishable when they are superimposed. Adapted with permission from Sierksma and Borst (2017). (B) AP amplitude decrease during repetitive firing in Purkinje cells bouton. Note that increasing the frequency of AP train provokes an enhancement of AP amplitude decrease. Adapted with permission from Kawaguchi and Sakaba (2015). (C) AP duration increase during repetitive firing in hippocampal mossy fiber bouton. Adapted with permission from Geiger and Jonas (2000).

increase in spike width (Jackson et al., 1991; Park and Dunlap, 1998; Shao et al., 1999; Geiger and Jonas, 2000; Faber and Sah, 2003; Kim et al., 2005; Deng et al., 2013; Liu et al., 2017; Ma et al., 2017; **Figure 1C**). When it invades the presynaptic terminal, the spike provokes the opening of voltage-gated calcium channels (Cav), leading to an increase of $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in the bouton and the release of neurotransmitters. Due to the power law between intra-terminal $Ca^{2+}$ concentration and neurotransmitter release, small variations in presynaptic calcium entry, occurring through spike shape modifications,

can lead to large changes in synaptic transmission (Sabatini and Regehr, 1997; Bollmann et al., 2000; Bischofberger et al., 2002; Fedchyshyn and Wang, 2005; Yang and Wang, 2006; Bucurenciu et al., 2008; Scott et al., 2008; Neishabouri and Faisal, 2014). In fact, spike broadening during repetitive firing entails synaptic transmission facilitation in the pituitary nerve (Jackson et al., 1991), dorsal root ganglion (Park and Dunlap, 1998) and mossy fiber bouton (Geiger and Jonas, 2000). Other studies showed that spike amplitude depression during repetitive firing provokes a decrease in synaptic transmission at hippocampal
<figure><img src="image_3.png" /><figcaption>**B** Modulation of AP amplitude
Purkinje cell bouton (in vitro)</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_4.png" /><figcaption>**C** Modulation of AP duration
Hippocampal granule cells bouton (in vitro)</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_5.png" /></figure>

**FIGURE 1** | Effect of repetitive firing on axonal Action Potential (AP) shape. (A) AP waveform is highly stable during high-frequency trains in the Calyx of Held recorded *in vivo*. Note that the APs are indistinguishable when they are superimposed. Adapted with permission from Sierksma and Borst (2017). (B) AP amplitude decrease during repetitive firing in Purkinje cells bouton. Note that increasing the frequency of AP train provokes an enhancement of AP amplitude decrease. Adapted with permission from Kawaguchi and Sakaba (2015). (C) AP duration increase during repetitive firing in hippocampal mossy fiber bouton. Adapted with permission from Geiger and Jonas (2000).

increase in spike width (Jackson et al., 1991; Park and Dunlap, 1998; Shao et al., 1999; Geiger and Jonas, 2000; Faber and Sah, 2003; Kim et al., 2005; Deng et al., 2013; Liu et al., 2017; Ma et al., 2017; **Figure 1C**). When it invades the presynaptic terminal, the spike provokes the opening of voltage-gated calcium channels (Cav), leading to an increase of $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in the bouton and the release of neurotransmitters. Due to the power law between intra-terminal $Ca^{2+}$ concentration and neurotransmitter release, small variations in presynaptic calcium entry, occurring through spike shape modifications,

can lead to large changes in synaptic transmission (Sabatini and Regehr, 1997; Bollmann et al., 2000; Bischofberger et al., 2002; Fedchyshyn and Wang, 2005; Yang and Wang, 2006; Bucurenciu et al., 2008; Scott et al., 2008; Neishabouri and Faisal, 2014). In fact, spike broadening during repetitive firing entails synaptic transmission facilitation in the pituitary nerve (Jackson et al., 1991), dorsal root ganglion (Park and Dunlap, 1998) and mossy fiber bouton (Geiger and Jonas, 2000). Other studies showed that spike amplitude depression during repetitive firing provokes a decrease in synaptic transmission at hippocampal
(Brody and Yue, 2000; Prakriya and Mennerick, 2000; He et al., 2002) and cerebellar synapses (Kawaguchi and Sakaba, 2015). Therefore, spike shape variations participate in short-term synaptic plasticity produced by repetitive firing (Zucker and Regehr, 2002). In addition, Hebbian or homeostatic forms of synaptic plasticity may result from modulation of presynaptic spike waveform *via* long-term regulation of ion channel density (Gandhi and Matzel, 2000; Yang and Wang, 2006; Hoppa et al., 2014).

Another source of spike waveform variation is the presence of neuromodulators. Neuromodulation alters spike shape *via* subthreshold modifications of membrane potential or channel biophysics regulation. In hippocampal neurons, glutamate and GABA have been shown to depolarize axonal membrane potential leading to spike broadening, probably through Kv channel inactivation, inducing an increase in synaptic transmission (Ruiz et al., 2010; Sasaki et al., 2011). In cortical pyramidal neurons, dopamine fixation on D1 receptors causes a decrease in Kv1-dependent $I_D$ current, due to the hyperpolarization of its inactivation curve, leading to axonal spike broadening (Dong and White, 2003; Yang et al., 2013).

Action Potential (AP) waveform in neuronal compartments depends on the local density of voltage-gated ion channels. For example, the AP duration decreases during its axonal propagation in L5 pyramidal neurons due to axonal expression of Kv1 channels (Kole et al., 2007). Recent studies have shown that the density of voltage-gated channels is not homogenous all along the axon, leading to local variation of spike shape during its propagation. The density of peri-terminal Kv3 channels determines local spike width and synaptic release in terminals of cerebellar stellate cell interneurons (Rowan et al., 2016). In axons of cortical neurons, varying density of Nav channels determines branch-specific spike amplitude and spike-evoked presynaptic $Ca^{2+}$ entry (Cho et al., 2017). Therefore, the distribution of synaptic strength in neuronal networks is likely to be in part determined by the variability of AP waveform in the presynaptic terminals.

Finally, spike broadening and increased synaptic release due to Kv channel dysfunction or Kv channel down-regulation has been associated with various neurologic disorders such as schizophrenia, episodic ataxia type 1, fragile X syndrome, autism and epilepsy (Deng et al., 2013; Begum et al., 2016; Crabtree et al., 2017; Vivekananda et al., 2017; Scott et al., 2019).

Therefore, the spike waveform can be modified by neuronal firing rate, neuromodulation, variation in local voltage-gated channel density, voltage-gated channel long-term regulation and dysfunction of voltage-gated channels in the pathological context. All these spike waveform variations modify $Ca^{2+}$ entry and synaptic release at presynaptic terminals. As spike shape modifications alter the transmission of synaptic information, it should not be considered as a purely digital event.

In the following sections, we will focus on spike shape modulation by subthreshold variations of membrane potential. We will see that the spike waveform is determined by an analog information, the subthreshold neuronal activity, leading to synaptic release modulation. This phenomenon has been called Analog-Digital synaptic transmission (Clark and Häusser,

2006; Alle and Geiger, 2008; Debanne et al., 2013; Rama et al., 2015b; Zbili et al., 2016).

# BIRTH OF ANALOG-DIGITAL MODULATION OF SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION AT INVERTEBRATE SYNAPSES

## AP Amplitude-Dependent Modulation of Synaptic Strength

The modulation of spike-evoked synaptic transmission by modulation of the presynaptic AP waveform has been first reported at the squid giant synapse by Hagiwara and Tasaki (1958). This pioneering study revealed that the amplitude of the presynaptic spike directly determines the amplitude of the postsynaptic response. The EPSP modulation was found to be extremely large, from virtually no detectable response to ~7–8 mV (Hagiwara and Tasaki, 1958). The modulation of the presynaptic spike amplitude was simply obtained by varying the intensity of subthreshold depolarization. This spike-amplitude dependent modulation of synaptic transmission has been confirmed by subsequent studies at the squid giant synapse (Takeuchi and Takeuchi, 1962; Miledi and Slater, 1966; Kusano et al., 1967).

While it has been suspected for a long time that a presynaptic hyperpolarization increased spike-evoked synaptic transmission (Del Castillo and Katz, 1954), the study by Takeuchi and Takeuchi (1962) represents the first report to unambiguously show that transient hyperpolarization of the presynaptic membrane potential during induction of the presynaptic AP enhanced the presynaptic spike amplitude and, subsequently, the postsynaptic response (Figure 2A). Although the precise mechanisms underlying this modulation have not been addressed in this study, the facilitation may result from recovery of sodium current from inactivation (see also Rama et al., 2015a). This principle has been confirmed in many studies published later, including one in the squid (Miledi and Slater, 1966) and another in the crayfish (Dudel, 1971). Interestingly, this hyperpolarization-induced facilitation of synaptic transmission has also been reported at the rat neuromuscular junction (Hubbard and Willis, 1962, 1968).

The study by Kusano et al. (1967) was largely inspired by the work of Hagiwara and Tasaki (1958) but it represents the first clear demonstration that increasing the input current applied to trigger a spike leads to an increase in both the presynaptic spike amplitude and the postsynaptic response (Figure 2B). These two early studies are somehow without descendants since no other study has been undertaken since. Furthermore, the mechanism of this modulation has never been clearly identified but it may result from the minimization of sodium channel inactivation prior to spike emission.

## AP Duration-Dependent Modulation of Synaptic Strength

Modulation of synaptic strength by AP duration was reported later, after the discovery of enhancement of synaptic
(Brody and Yue, 2000; Prakriya and Mennerick, 2000; He et al., 2002) and cerebellar synapses (Kawaguchi and Sakaba, 2015). Therefore, spike shape variations participate in short-term synaptic plasticity produced by repetitive firing (Zucker and Regehr, 2002). In addition, Hebbian or homeostatic forms of synaptic plasticity may result from modulation of presynaptic spike waveform *via* long-term regulation of ion channel density (Gandhi and Matzel, 2000; Yang and Wang, 2006; Hoppa et al., 2014).

Another source of spike waveform variation is the presence of neuromodulators. Neuromodulation alters spike shape *via* subthreshold modifications of membrane potential or channel biophysics regulation. In hippocampal neurons, glutamate and GABA have been shown to depolarize axonal membrane potential leading to spike broadening, probably through Kv channel inactivation, inducing an increase in synaptic transmission (Ruiz et al., 2010; Sasaki et al., 2011). In cortical pyramidal neurons, dopamine fixation on D1 receptors causes a decrease in Kv1-dependent $I_D$ current, due to the hyperpolarization of its inactivation curve, leading to axonal spike broadening (Dong and White, 2003; Yang et al., 2013).

Action Potential (AP) waveform in neuronal compartments depends on the local density of voltage-gated ion channels. For example, the AP duration decreases during its axonal propagation in L5 pyramidal neurons due to axonal expression of Kv1 channels (Kole et al., 2007). Recent studies have shown that the density of voltage-gated channels is not homogenous all along the axon, leading to local variation of spike shape during its propagation. The density of peri-terminal Kv3 channels determines local spike width and synaptic release in terminals of cerebellar stellate cell interneurons (Rowan et al., 2016). In axons of cortical neurons, varying density of Nav channels determines branch-specific spike amplitude and spike-evoked presynaptic $Ca^{2+}$ entry (Cho et al., 2017). Therefore, the distribution of synaptic strength in neuronal networks is likely to be in part determined by the variability of AP waveform in the presynaptic terminals.

Finally, spike broadening and increased synaptic release due to Kv channel dysfunction or Kv channel down-regulation has been associated with various neurologic disorders such as schizophrenia, episodic ataxia type 1, fragile X syndrome, autism and epilepsy (Deng et al., 2013; Begum et al., 2016; Crabtree et al., 2017; Vivekananda et al., 2017; Scott et al., 2019).

Therefore, the spike waveform can be modified by neuronal firing rate, neuromodulation, variation in local voltage-gated channel density, voltage-gated channel long-term regulation and dysfunction of voltage-gated channels in the pathological context. All these spike waveform variations modify $Ca^{2+}$ entry and synaptic release at presynaptic terminals. As spike shape modifications alter the transmission of synaptic information, it should not be considered as a purely digital event.

In the following sections, we will focus on spike shape modulation by subthreshold variations of membrane potential. We will see that the spike waveform is determined by an analog information, the subthreshold neuronal activity, leading to synaptic release modulation. This phenomenon has been called Analog-Digital synaptic transmission (Clark and Häusser,

2006; Alle and Geiger, 2008; Debanne et al., 2013; Rama et al., 2015b; Zbili et al., 2016).

# BIRTH OF ANALOG-DIGITAL MODULATION OF SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION AT INVERTEBRATE SYNAPSES

## AP Amplitude-Dependent Modulation of Synaptic Strength

The modulation of spike-evoked synaptic transmission by modulation of the presynaptic AP waveform has been first reported at the squid giant synapse by Hagiwara and Tasaki (1958). This pioneering study revealed that the amplitude of the presynaptic spike directly determines the amplitude of the postsynaptic response. The EPSP modulation was found to be extremely large, from virtually no detectable response to ~7–8 mV (Hagiwara and Tasaki, 1958). The modulation of the presynaptic spike amplitude was simply obtained by varying the intensity of subthreshold depolarization. This spike-amplitude dependent modulation of synaptic transmission has been confirmed by subsequent studies at the squid giant synapse (Takeuchi and Takeuchi, 1962; Miledi and Slater, 1966; Kusano et al., 1967).

While it has been suspected for a long time that a presynaptic hyperpolarization increased spike-evoked synaptic transmission (Del Castillo and Katz, 1954), the study by Takeuchi and Takeuchi (1962) represents the first report to unambiguously show that transient hyperpolarization of the presynaptic membrane potential during induction of the presynaptic AP enhanced the presynaptic spike amplitude and, subsequently, the postsynaptic response (Figure 2A). Although the precise mechanisms underlying this modulation have not been addressed in this study, the facilitation may result from recovery of sodium current from inactivation (see also Rama et al., 2015a). This principle has been confirmed in many studies published later, including one in the squid (Miledi and Slater, 1966) and another in the crayfish (Dudel, 1971). Interestingly, this hyperpolarization-induced facilitation of synaptic transmission has also been reported at the rat neuromuscular junction (Hubbard and Willis, 1962, 1968).

The study by Kusano et al. (1967) was largely inspired by the work of Hagiwara and Tasaki (1958) but it represents the first clear demonstration that increasing the input current applied to trigger a spike leads to an increase in both the presynaptic spike amplitude and the postsynaptic response (Figure 2B). These two early studies are somehow without descendants since no other study has been undertaken since. Furthermore, the mechanism of this modulation has never been clearly identified but it may result from the minimization of sodium channel inactivation prior to spike emission.

## AP Duration-Dependent Modulation of Synaptic Strength

Modulation of synaptic strength by AP duration was reported later, after the discovery of enhancement of synaptic
<figure><img src="image_4.png" /><figcaption>**B** Input strength-dependent Facilitation</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_5.png" /><figcaption>**C** Depolarization-induced Facilitation</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_6.png" /></figure>

**FIGURE 2** | Modulation of AP waveform and synaptic strength by presynaptic membrane potential in invertebrates. (A) Hyperpolarization of the presynaptic element leads to an increase in the spike amplitude and the post-synaptic potential amplitude at squid giant synapse. Adapted with permission from Takeuchi and Takeuchi (1962). (B) Increasing the current applied to emit the spike leads to a decrease in presynaptic spike latency, an increase in spike amplitude and an increased EPSP amplitude at the squid giant synapse. Adapted with permission from Kusano et al. (1967). (C) Depolarization of the presynaptic cell leads to an increase in spike-evoked synaptic transmission at the cholinergic synapse of Aplysia. Adapted with permission from Shapiro et al. (1980).

transmission by AP amplitude modulation. The first clear study stating context-dependent enhancement of synaptic transmission due to the broadening of presynaptic AP is that of Shapiro et al. (1980). The authors reported that in connected neurons from Aplysia, depolarization of the presynaptic neuron inactivates a potassium current, leading to a broadening of the spike and an enhancement of synaptic transmission (Shapiro et al., 1980; **Figure 2C**). One should note that this effect is exactly the opposite of that described in the squid where a presynaptic depolarization reduced spike-evoked transmission. Before this study, Shimahara and Tauc (1975) reported similar findings but the mechanism was not studied in this first report (Shimahara and Tauc, 1975). Later, Shimahara confirmed that blocking Kv channels with 4-aminopyridine suppressed the increase in synaptic transmission induced by depolarization

(Shimahara, 1981, 1983). However, in these studies, it was unclear whether voltage was mainly acting on spike amplitude or spike duration.

## Presynaptic Voltage-Dependent Modulation: Role of Calcium Current

Beyond inactivation of Kv channels, a second mechanism had been identified in the Shapiro et al.'s (1980) study showing depolarization-induced enhancement of synaptic transmission. They showed that subthreshold depolarization of the presynaptic neuron to -55/-35 mV activated a steady-state $Ca^{2+}$ current that also contributed to the modulation of transmission, possibly by controlling release probability (Shapiro et al., 1980; Connor et al., 1986). Similar depolarization-induced enhancement of synaptic transmission has been reported at an inhibitory synapse
<figure><img src="image_6.png" /><figcaption>**B Input strength-dependent Facilitation**</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_7.png" /><figcaption>**C Depolarization-induced Facilitation**</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_8.png" /></figure>

**FIGURE 2** | Modulation of AP waveform and synaptic strength by presynaptic membrane potential in invertebrates. (A) Hyperpolarization of the presynaptic element leads to an increase in the spike amplitude and the post-synaptic potential amplitude at squid giant synapse. Adapted with permission from Takeuchi and Takeuchi (1962). (B) Increasing the current applied to emit the spike leads to a decrease in presynaptic spike latency, an increase in spike amplitude and an increased EPSP amplitude at the squid giant synapse. Adapted with permission from Kusano et al. (1967). (C) Depolarization of the presynaptic cell leads to an increase in spike-evoked synaptic transmission at the cholinergic synapse of Aplysia. Adapted with permission from Shapiro et al. (1980).

transmission by AP amplitude modulation. The first clear study stating context-dependent enhancement of synaptic transmission due to the broadening of presynaptic AP is that of Shapiro et al. (1980). The authors reported that in connected neurons from Aplysia, depolarization of the presynaptic neuron inactivates a potassium current, leading to a broadening of the spike and an enhancement of synaptic transmission (Shapiro et al., 1980; **Figure 2C**). One should note that this effect is exactly the opposite of that described in the squid where a presynaptic depolarization reduced spike-evoked transmission. Before this study, Shimahara and Tauc (1975) reported similar findings but the mechanism was not studied in this first report (Shimahara and Tauc, 1975). Later, Shimahara confirmed that blocking Kv channels with 4-aminopyridine suppressed the increase in synaptic transmission induced by depolarization

(Shimahara, 1981, 1983). However, in these studies, it was unclear whether voltage was mainly acting on spike amplitude or spike duration.

## Presynaptic Voltage-Dependent Modulation: Role of Calcium Current

Beyond inactivation of Kv channels, a second mechanism had been identified in the Shapiro et al.'s (1980) study showing depolarization-induced enhancement of synaptic transmission. They showed that subthreshold depolarization of the presynaptic neuron to -55/-35 mV activated a steady-state $Ca^{2+}$ current that also contributed to the modulation of transmission, possibly by controlling release probability (Shapiro et al., 1980; Connor et al., 1986). Similar depolarization-induced enhancement of synaptic transmission has been reported at an inhibitory synapse
in the leech (Nicholls and Wallace, 1978). This study reports that small presynaptic depolarizations increase synaptic strength in an AP waveform independent way (probably due to basal $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation), while stronger depolarizations enhance synaptic release *via* broadening of the presynaptic spike. Therefore, depolarization-induced enhancement of synaptic transmission *via* basal $Ca^{2+}$ increase and *via* spike broadening can coexist at invertebrates' synapses. Recently, the depolarization-induced enhancement of synaptic transmission *via* basal $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation has been confirmed in heart interneurons of the leech (Ivanov and Calabrese, 2003) and B21 sensory neurons of the Aplysia (Ludwar et al., 2009, 2017; Evans et al., 2011).

Two main features should be noted in these pioneering studies. First, the modulation of synaptic transmission was found to be extremely large (about an order of magnitude). Second, only one type of modulation was found in a given presynaptic cell-type (i.e., only depolarization-induced facilitation in the Aplysia or hyperpolarization-induced facilitation in the squid).

## RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

From the early studies on spike-evoked release modulation *via* presynaptic membrane potential, we can conclude that spikes contain more information than usually thought. In fact, the synaptic strength depends on the subthreshold membrane potential of the presynaptic cell, indicating that the presynaptic spike transmits this analog information to the postsynaptic cell. However, the direction of this modulation of synaptic transmission seems to depend on the type of synapse. In fact, in some studies, the rule is: the more polarized is the presynaptic cell, the bigger is the PSP (also called depolarization-induced Analog-Digital Facilitation or d-ADF), while in others the rule is the opposite (hyperpolarization-induced Analog-Digital Facilitation or h-ADF). We will see that the recent developments on the subject have extended the observations made on invertebrate preparations to mammalian synapses and have resolved this apparent paradox *via* the description of the ion channels responsible for the two types of ADF.

## Depolarization-Induced Analog-Digital Facilitation (d-ADF) in Mammalian Brain

The first descriptions of d-ADF in mammalian CNS have been made in Calyx of Held (Turecek and Trussell, 2001; Awatramani et al., 2005), CA3 area (Saviane et al., 2003), hippocampal mossy fibers (Alle and Geiger, 2006) and L5 pyramidal neurons (Shu et al., 2006; **Figures 3Ai,Bi; Table 1**). In all these cases, a depolarization of the presynaptic cell preceding the AP leads to an increase in synaptic transmission from 30% to 100% depending on the studies. However, a precise examination shows that different mechanisms are responsible for these d-ADFs.

### d-ADF *via* Basal $Ca^{2+}$ Accumulation at the Terminal

The first mechanism described for d-ADF is not due to spike shape modulation. A weak opening of synaptic Cav5 during

the subthreshold depolarization leads to an increase in the basal $Ca^{2+}$ concentration at the terminal, and consequently, an enhancement of synaptic release when the spike invades the presynaptic terminal (Debanne et al., 2013; Rama et al., 2015b; Zbili et al., 2016). This mechanism has been described at the Calyx of Held (Turecek and Trussell, 2001; Awatramani et al., 2005; Hori and Takahashi, 2009), cerebellar molecular layer interneurons (Bouhours et al., 2011; Christie et al., 2011) and at the dendro-dendritic synapses between mitral cells of the olfactory bulb (Fekete et al., 2014). Due to the slow dynamics of $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation, several seconds of depolarization are needed to fully facilitate synaptic transmission. Interestingly, basal $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation induces synaptic release facilitation in two different ways. First, the increase in basal $Ca^{2+}$ concentration directly enhances the release probability, probably *via* the promotion of the vesicles priming and of the coupling between vesicles and Cav channels (Neher and Sakaba, 2008). Second, it can provoke a $Ca^{2+}$-dependent hyperpolarizing shift of Cav channel activation (Borst and Sakmann, 1998; Cuttle et al., 1998), leading to an increase of the spike-evoked $Ca^{2+}$ transient (Hori and Takahashi, 2009; Christie et al., 2011). Importantly, these two effects can occur at the same synapse (Hori and Takahashi, 2009).

### d-ADF *via* Modulation of Presynaptic Spike Width

The second mechanism underlying d-ADF in mammals is the inactivation of Kv channels during the subthreshold depolarization. This phenomenon provokes broadening of the presynaptic spike (**Figures 3Aii,Bii**), leading to an increase in the spike-evoked $Ca^{2+}$ transient and an enhancement of synaptic release (Debanne et al., 2013; Rama et al., 2015b; Zbili et al., 2016; **Figures 3Ai,Bi**). Importantly, the time constant of this type of d-ADF depends on the inactivation time-constant of the Kv involved in the phenomenon. In L5 pyramidal neurons, CA3 pyramidal neurons and CA1 pyramidal neurons, slowly inactivating Kv1 channels are responsible for the d-ADF, and therefore the phenomenon presents a slow time constant (several seconds; Saviane et al., 2003; Shu et al., 2006, 2007; Kole et al., 2007; Sasaki et al., 2011, 2012; Zhu et al., 2011; Kim, 2014; Bialowas et al., 2015). In contrast, in inhibitory interneurons of the cerebellum (stellate cells), d-ADF depends on fast Kv3.4 inactivation and is, therefore, quicker to take place (100 ms of depolarization to have an effect and 1 s for a full increase in synaptic transmission; Rowan and Christie, 2017). Importantly, at invertebrates' synapses, the d-ADF *via* basal $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation and the d-ADF *via* Kv inactivation are not mutually exclusive and may occur at the same synapses (Bialowas et al., 2015; Rama et al., 2015b).

### A Peculiar Case: d-ADF at Mossy Fiber Boutons

In granule cells of the Dentate Gyrus, an EPSP can propagate from the dendrites to the presynaptic bouton and increase spike-evoked synaptic transmission at mossy fiber bouton/CA3 synapses (Alle and Geiger, 2006). Surprisingly, this d-ADF seems to be $Ca^{2+}$-independent. In fact, it does not go along with an increase in basal $Ca^{2+}$ concentration or spike-evoked $Ca^{2+}$ transient (Scott et al., 2008), and it is not
in the leech (Nicholls and Wallace, 1978). This study reports that small presynaptic depolarizations increase synaptic strength in an AP waveform independent way (probably due to basal $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation), while stronger depolarizations enhance synaptic release *via* broadening of the presynaptic spike. Therefore, depolarization-induced enhancement of synaptic transmission *via* basal $Ca^{2+}$ increase and *via* spike broadening can coexist at invertebrates' synapses. Recently, the depolarization-induced enhancement of synaptic transmission *via* basal $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation has been confirmed in heart interneurons of the leech (Ivanov and Calabrese, 2003) and B21 sensory neurons of the Aplysia (Ludwar et al., 2009, 2017; Evans et al., 2011).

Two main features should be noted in these pioneering studies. First, the modulation of synaptic transmission was found to be extremely large (about an order of magnitude). Second, only one type of modulation was found in a given presynaptic cell-type (i.e., only depolarization-induced facilitation in the Aplysia or hyperpolarization-induced facilitation in the squid).

## RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

From the early studies on spike-evoked release modulation *via* presynaptic membrane potential, we can conclude that spikes contain more information than usually thought. In fact, the synaptic strength depends on the subthreshold membrane potential of the presynaptic cell, indicating that the presynaptic spike transmits this analog information to the postsynaptic cell. However, the direction of this modulation of synaptic transmission seems to depend on the type of synapse. In fact, in some studies, the rule is: the more polarized is the presynaptic cell, the bigger is the PSP (also called depolarization-induced Analog-Digital Facilitation or d-ADF), while in others the rule is the opposite (hyperpolarization-induced Analog-Digital Facilitation or h-ADF). We will see that the recent developments on the subject have extended the observations made on invertebrate preparations to mammalian synapses and have resolved this apparent paradox *via* the description of the ion channels responsible for the two types of ADF.

## Depolarization-Induced Analog-Digital Facilitation (d-ADF) in Mammalian Brain

The first descriptions of d-ADF in mammalian CNS have been made in Calyx of Held (Turecek and Trussell, 2001; Awatramani et al., 2005), CA3 area (Saviane et al., 2003), hippocampal mossy fibers (Alle and Geiger, 2006) and L5 pyramidal neurons (Shu et al., 2006; **Figures 3Ai,Bi; Table 1**). In all these cases, a depolarization of the presynaptic cell preceding the AP leads to an increase in synaptic transmission from 30% to 100% depending on the studies. However, a precise examination shows that different mechanisms are responsible for these d-ADFs.

### d-ADF *via* Basal $Ca^{2+}$ Accumulation at the Terminal

The first mechanism described for d-ADF is not due to spike shape modulation. A weak opening of synaptic Cav5 during

the subthreshold depolarization leads to an increase in the basal $Ca^{2+}$ concentration at the terminal, and consequently, an enhancement of synaptic release when the spike invades the presynaptic terminal (Debanne et al., 2013; Rama et al., 2015b; Zbili et al., 2016). This mechanism has been described at the Calyx of Held (Turecek and Trussell, 2001; Awatramani et al., 2005; Hori and Takahashi, 2009), cerebellar molecular layer interneurons (Bouhours et al., 2011; Christie et al., 2011) and at the dendro-dendritic synapses between mitral cells of the olfactory bulb (Fekete et al., 2014). Due to the slow dynamics of $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation, several seconds of depolarization are needed to fully facilitate synaptic transmission. Interestingly, basal $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation induces synaptic release facilitation in two different ways. First, the increase in basal $Ca^{2+}$ concentration directly enhances the release probability, probably *via* the promotion of the vesicles priming and of the coupling between vesicles and Cav channels (Neher and Sakaba, 2008). Second, it can provoke a $Ca^{2+}$-dependent hyperpolarizing shift of Cav channel activation (Borst and Sakmann, 1998; Cuttle et al., 1998), leading to an increase of the spike-evoked $Ca^{2+}$ transient (Hori and Takahashi, 2009; Christie et al., 2011). Importantly, these two effects can occur at the same synapse (Hori and Takahashi, 2009).

### d-ADF *via* Modulation of Presynaptic Spike Width

The second mechanism underlying d-ADF in mammals is the inactivation of Kv channels during the subthreshold depolarization. This phenomenon provokes broadening of the presynaptic spike (**Figures 3Aii,Bii**), leading to an increase in the spike-evoked $Ca^{2+}$ transient and an enhancement of synaptic release (Debanne et al., 2013; Rama et al., 2015b; Zbili et al., 2016; **Figures 3Ai,Bi**). Importantly, the time constant of this type of d-ADF depends on the inactivation time-constant of the Kv involved in the phenomenon. In L5 pyramidal neurons, CA3 pyramidal neurons and CA1 pyramidal neurons, slowly inactivating Kv1 channels are responsible for the d-ADF, and therefore the phenomenon presents a slow time constant (several seconds; Saviane et al., 2003; Shu et al., 2006, 2007; Kole et al., 2007; Sasaki et al., 2011, 2012; Zhu et al., 2011; Kim, 2014; Bialowas et al., 2015). In contrast, in inhibitory interneurons of the cerebellum (stellate cells), d-ADF depends on fast Kv3.4 inactivation and is, therefore, quicker to take place (100 ms of depolarization to have an effect and 1 s for a full increase in synaptic transmission; Rowan and Christie, 2017). Importantly, at invertebrates' synapses, the d-ADF *via* basal $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation and the d-ADF *via* Kv inactivation are not mutually exclusive and may occur at the same synapses (Bialowas et al., 2015; Rama et al., 2015b).

### A Peculiar Case: d-ADF at Mossy Fiber Boutons

In granule cells of the Dentate Gyrus, an EPSP can propagate from the dendrites to the presynaptic bouton and increase spike-evoked synaptic transmission at mossy fiber bouton/CA3 synapses (Alle and Geiger, 2006). Surprisingly, this d-ADF seems to be $Ca^{2+}$-independent. In fact, it does not go along with an increase in basal $Ca^{2+}$ concentration or spike-evoked $Ca^{2+}$ transient (Scott et al., 2008), and it is not
**A** Depolarization-induced Analog-Digital Facilitation in L5 pyramidal neurons

i

<figure><img src="image_7.png" /></figure>

ii

<figure><img src="image_8.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_9.png" /></figure>

**B** Depolarization-induced Analog-Digital Facilitation in CA3 pyramidal neurons

i

<figure><img src="image_10.png" /></figure>

ii

<figure><img src="image_11.png" /></figure>

**C** Hyperpolarization-induced Analog-Digital Facilitation in L5 pyramidal neurons

i

<figure><img src="image_12.png" /></figure>

ii

<figure><img src="image_13.png" /></figure>

**FIGURE 3** | Analog-Digital Facilitations at mammalian synapses. (A) Depolarization-induced Analog-Digital Facilitation (d-ADF) at L5-L5 synapses. Depolarization of the presynaptic cell leads to an increase in synaptic transmission at L5/L5 synapses (i) that is due to the broadening of the axonal spike measured by whole-cell recording from an axonal bleb (ii). Adapted with permission from Shu et al. (2006). (B) d-ADF at CA3/CA3 synapses. Long depolarization of the presynaptic cell leads to an increase in the synaptic transmission (i) that is mediated by the broadening of the axonal spike measured in voltage imaging (ii). Adapted with permission from Bialowas et al. (2015). (C) Hyperpolarization-induced Analog-Digital facilitation (h-ADF). Hyperpolarization of the presynaptic cell leads to an enhancement of synaptic transmission at L5/L5 synapses: (i) due to an increase in the spike amplitude measured by whole-cell recording from an axonal bleb, (ii) adapted with permission from Rama et al. (2015a).

blocked by application of 10 mM EGTA (Alle and Geiger, 2006) or 1 mM BAPTA (Scott et al., 2008). However, it should be noted that the increase in Ca²⁺ entry can be too subtle to be seen with Ca²⁺ fluorescent indicators. Moreover, at the Calyx of Held, it is necessary to apply 10 mM EGTA + 1 mM BAPTA to efficiently block d-ADF (Hori and Takahashi, 2009). Therefore, the mechanism of d-ADF at this synapse could be

Ca²⁺-dependent and needs further studies to be unraveled (Debanne et al., 2013).

**Hyperpolarization-Induced Analog-Digital Facilitation (h-ADF) in Mammalian Brain**

Recent studies showed that a presynaptic hyperpolarization before the spike leads to an increase in spike-evoked
**A** Depolarization-induced Analog-Digital Facilitation in L5 pyramidal neurons

i

<figure><img src="image_9.png" /></figure>

ii

<figure><img src="image_10.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_11.png" /></figure>

**B** Depolarization-induced Analog-Digital Facilitation in CA3 pyramidal neurons

i

<figure><img src="image_12.png" /></figure>

ii

<figure><img src="image_13.png" /></figure>

**C** Hyperpolarization-induced Analog-Digital Facilitation in L5 pyramidal neurons

i

<figure><img src="image_14.png" /></figure>

ii

<figure><img src="image_15.png" /></figure>

**FIGURE 3** | Analog-Digital Facilitations at mammalian synapses. (A) Depolarization-induced Analog-Digital Facilitation (d-ADF) at L5-L5 synapses. Depolarization of the presynaptic cell leads to an increase in synaptic transmission at L5/L5 synapses (i) that is due to the broadening of the axonal spike measured by whole-cell recording from an axonal bleb (ii). Adapted with permission from Shu et al. (2006). (B) d-ADF at CA3/CA3 synapses. Long depolarization of the presynaptic cell leads to an increase in the synaptic transmission (i) that is mediated by the broadening of the axonal spike measured in voltage imaging (ii). Adapted with permission from Bialowas et al. (2015). (C) Hyperpolarization-induced Analog-Digital facilitation (h-ADF). Hyperpolarization of the presynaptic cell leads to an enhancement of synaptic transmission at L5/L5 synapses: (i) due to an increase in the spike amplitude measured by whole-cell recording from an axonal bleb, (ii) adapted with permission from Rama et al. (2015a).

blocked by application of 10 mM EGTA (Alle and Geiger, 2006) or 1 mM BAPTA (Scott et al., 2008). However, it should be noted that the increase in Ca²⁺ entry can be too subtle to be seen with Ca²⁺ fluorescent indicators. Moreover, at the Calyx of Held, it is necessary to apply 10 mM EGTA + 1 mM BAPTA to efficiently block d-ADF (Hori and Takahashi, 2009). Therefore, the mechanism of d-ADF at this synapse could be

Ca²⁺-dependent and needs further studies to be unraveled (Debanne et al., 2013).

**Hyperpolarization-Induced Analog-Digital Facilitation (h-ADF) in Mammalian Brain**

Recent studies showed that a presynaptic hyperpolarization before the spike leads to an increase in spike-evoked
<table><caption>TABLE 1 | Analog-digital facilitation.</caption><thead><tr><th></th><th>Authors</th><th>Species</th><th>Cell type</th><th>Mechanism</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="10">d-ADF</td><td>Shimahara and Tauc (1975)</td><td>Aplysia</td><td>Interneuron</td><td>Not studied</td></tr><tr><td>Nicholls and Wallace (1978)</td><td>Leech</td><td>Heart interneuron</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Shimahara and Peretz (1978)</td><td>Aplysia</td><td>Interneuron</td><td>Not studied</td></tr><tr><td>Alle and Geiger (2006)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Mossy fiber giant bouton</td><td>Unknown</td></tr><tr><td>Scott et al. (2008)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Mossy fiber giant bouton</td><td>Unknown</td></tr><tr><td>Zorrilla de San Martin et al. (2017)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Purkinje cells</td><td>Unknown</td></tr><tr><td>Shapiro et al. (1980)</td><td>Aplysia</td><td>Cholinergic interneuron L10</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Shimahara (1981, 1983)</td><td>Aplysia</td><td>Left pleural ganglion</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP amplitude increase?</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Saviane et al. (2003)</td><td>Rat</td><td>CA3 pyramidal neuron</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Shu et al. (2006)/Shu et al. (2007)</td><td>Ferret/Rat</td><td>L5 pyramidal neuron</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Kole et al. (2007)</td><td>Rat</td><td>L5 pyramidal neuron</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Ruiz et al. (2010)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Mossy fiber giant bouton</td><td><ul><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Zhu et al. (2011)</td><td>Rat</td><td>L5 pyramidal neuron/interneuron synapses</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Sasaki et al. (2011)</td><td>Rat</td><td>CA3 pyramidal neuron</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Sasaki et al. (2012)</td><td>Rat</td><td>CA3 pyramidal neuron</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Kim (2014)</td><td>Rat</td><td>CA1 pyramidal neuron/interneuron synapses</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Bialowas et al. (2015)</td><td>Rat</td><td>CA3 pyramidal neuron</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Rowan and Christie (2017)</td><td>Mouse</td><td>Cerebellar interneuron (stellate cell)</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="10">h-ADF</td><td>Connor et al. (1986)</td><td>Aplysia</td><td>Cholinergic interneuron L10</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Turecek and Trussell (2001)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Calyx of Held</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Ivanov and Calabrese (2003)</td><td>Leech</td><td>Heart interneuron</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Ludwar et al. (2009)</td><td>Aplysia</td><td>Sensory neuron B21</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Evans et al. (2011)</td><td>Aplysia</td><td>Sensory neuron B21</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Ludwar et al. (2017)</td><td>Aplysia</td><td>Sensory neuron B21</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Awatramani et al. (2005)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Calyx of Held</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Hori and Takahashi (2009)</td><td>Mouse/Rat</td><td>Calyx of Held</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Christie et al. (2011)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Cerebellar interneuron (Molecular Layer)</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Bouhours et al. (2011)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Cerebellar interneuron (Molecular Layer)</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Del Castillo and Katz (1954)</td><td>Frog</td><td>Neuromuscular junction</td><td>Unknown</td></tr><tr><td>Takeuchi and Takeuchi (1962)</td><td>Squid</td><td>Giant synapse</td><td><ul><li>AP amplitude increase</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Miledi and Slater (1966)</td><td>Squid</td><td>Stellate ganglion</td><td><ul><li>AP amplitude increase</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Dudel (1971)</td><td>Crayfish</td><td>Motor nerve</td><td><ul><li>AP amplitude increase</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Hubbard and Willis (1968)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Neuromuscular junction</td><td><ul><li>AP amplitude increase</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Hubbard and Willis (1962)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Neuromuscular junction</td><td><ul><li>AP amplitude increase</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Thio and Yamada (2004)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Hippocampal neurons</td><td>Unknown</td></tr><tr><td>Cowan and Stricker (2004)</td><td>Rat</td><td>L4 pyramidal neuron</td><td>Unknown</td></tr><tr><td>Ruiz et al. (2003)</td><td>Guinea pig</td><td>Bouton en passant, mossy fiber</td><td>Unknown</td></tr><tr><td>Rama et al. (2015a)</td><td>Rat</td><td>CA3 and L5 pyramidal neuron</td><td><ul><li>Nav deactivation</li><li>AP amplitude increase</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>

neurotransmitter release in hippocampal cultures (Thio and Yamada, 2004), L4 pyramidal neurons (Cowan and Stricker, 2004), CA3 pyramidal neurons and L5 pyramidal neurons (Rama et al., 2015a; **Figure 3Ci; Table 1**). This facilitation ranges between 10% and 100% depending on the studies and the cell type. At CA3/CA3 and L5/L5 synapses, the mechanism

underlying h-ADF has been fully described: a presynaptic hyperpolarization results in the recovery from inactivation of presynaptic Nav channels, which provokes an increase in presynaptic spike amplitude (Figure 3Cii), leading to an enhancement of spike-evoked Ca²⁺ entry and synaptic release (Rama et al., 2015a; **Figure 3Ci**). This phenomenon
<table><caption>TABLE 1 | Analog-digital facilitation.</caption><thead><tr><th></th><th>Authors</th><th>Species</th><th>Cell type</th><th>Mechanism</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="10">d-ADF</td><td>Shimahara and Tauc (1975)</td><td>Aplysia</td><td>Interneuron</td><td>Not studied</td></tr><tr><td>Nicholls and Wallace (1978)</td><td>Leech</td><td>Heart interneuron</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Shimahara and Peretz (1978)</td><td>Aplysia</td><td>Interneuron</td><td>Not studied</td></tr><tr><td>Alle and Geiger (2006)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Mossy fiber giant bouton</td><td>Unknown</td></tr><tr><td>Scott et al. (2008)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Mossy fiber giant bouton</td><td>Unknown</td></tr><tr><td>Zorrilla de San Martin et al. (2017)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Purkinje cells</td><td>Unknown</td></tr><tr><td>Shapiro et al. (1980)</td><td>Aplysia</td><td>Cholinergic interneuron L10</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Shimahara (1981, 1983)</td><td>Aplysia</td><td>Left pleural ganglion</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP amplitude increase?</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Saviane et al. (2003)</td><td>Rat</td><td>CA3 pyramidal neuron</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Shu et al. (2006)/Shu et al. (2007)</td><td>Ferret/Rat</td><td>L5 pyramidal neuron</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Kole et al. (2007)</td><td>Rat</td><td>L5 pyramidal neuron</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Ruiz et al. (2010)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Mossy fiber giant bouton</td><td><ul><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Zhu et al. (2011)</td><td>Rat</td><td>L5 pyramidal neuron/interneuron synapses</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Sasaki et al. (2011)</td><td>Rat</td><td>CA3 pyramidal neuron</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Sasaki et al. (2012)</td><td>Rat</td><td>CA3 pyramidal neuron</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Kim (2014)</td><td>Rat</td><td>CA1 pyramidal neuron/interneuron synapses</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Bialowas et al. (2015)</td><td>Rat</td><td>CA3 pyramidal neuron</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Rowan and Christie (2017)</td><td>Mouse</td><td>Cerebellar interneuron (stellate cell)</td><td><ul><li>Kv inactivation</li><li>AP broadening</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="10">h-ADF</td><td>Connor et al. (1986)</td><td>Aplysia</td><td>Cholinergic interneuron L10</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Turecek and Trussell (2001)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Calyx of Held</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Ivanov and Calabrese (2003)</td><td>Leech</td><td>Heart interneuron</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Ludwar et al. (2009)</td><td>Aplysia</td><td>Sensory neuron B21</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Evans et al. (2011)</td><td>Aplysia</td><td>Sensory neuron B21</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Ludwar et al. (2017)</td><td>Aplysia</td><td>Sensory neuron B21</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Awatramani et al. (2005)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Calyx of Held</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Hori and Takahashi (2009)</td><td>Mouse/Rat</td><td>Calyx of Held</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Christie et al. (2011)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Cerebellar interneuron (Molecular Layer)</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Bouhours et al. (2011)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Cerebellar interneuron (Molecular Layer)</td><td><ul><li>Basal Ca<sup>2+</sup></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Del Castillo and Katz (1954)</td><td>Frog</td><td>Neuromuscular junction</td><td>Unknown</td></tr><tr><td>Takeuchi and Takeuchi (1962)</td><td>Squid</td><td>Giant synapse</td><td><ul><li>AP amplitude increase</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Miledi and Slater (1966)</td><td>Squid</td><td>Stellate ganglion</td><td><ul><li>AP amplitude increase</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Dudel (1971)</td><td>Crayfish</td><td>Motor nerve</td><td><ul><li>AP amplitude increase</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Hubbard and Willis (1968)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Neuromuscular junction</td><td><ul><li>AP amplitude increase</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Hubbard and Willis (1962)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Neuromuscular junction</td><td><ul><li>AP amplitude increase</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Thio and Yamada (2004)</td><td>Rat</td><td>Hippocampal neurons</td><td>Unknown</td></tr><tr><td>Cowan and Stricker (2004)</td><td>Rat</td><td>L4 pyramidal neuron</td><td>Unknown</td></tr><tr><td>Ruiz et al. (2003)</td><td>Guinea pig</td><td>Bouton en passant, mossy fiber</td><td>Unknown</td></tr><tr><td>Rama et al. (2015a)</td><td>Rat</td><td>CA3 and L5 pyramidal neuron</td><td><ul><li>Nav deactivation</li><li>AP amplitude increase</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>

neurotransmitter release in hippocampal cultures (Thio and Yamada, 2004), L4 pyramidal neurons (Cowan and Stricker, 2004), CA3 pyramidal neurons and L5 pyramidal neurons (Rama et al., 2015a; **Figure 3Ci; Table 1**). This facilitation ranges between 10% and 100% depending on the studies and the cell type. At CA3/CA3 and L5/L5 synapses, the mechanism

underlying h-ADF has been fully described: a presynaptic hyperpolarization results in the recovery from inactivation of presynaptic Nav channels, which provokes an increase in presynaptic spike amplitude (Figure 3Cii), leading to an enhancement of spike-evoked Ca²⁺ entry and synaptic release (Rama et al., 2015a; **Figure 3Ci**). This phenomenon
is likely to occur at hippocampal mossy fiber, in which a somatic hyperpolarization results in an increase of spike-evoked Ca²⁺ transient at small axonal varicosities (Ruiz et al., 2003). Interestingly, due to the fast biophysics of Nav channels, h-ADF is extremely fast and occurs within 15–50 ms of hyperpolarization. Therefore, it can be induced by a unique IPSP preceding the spike. Hence, rebound spiking should have a bigger impact on the postsynaptic cell if h-ADF is present at the synapse. One can think that h-ADF is a widespread phenomenon because it depends on Nav channels which are present in all spiking neuron types. However, it should be noted that a strong Nav channel density should attenuate the impact of their de-inactivation on the spike amplitude, and therefore decrease the h-ADF (Rama et al., 2015a). Moreover, Nav1.6 channels, which are the main subtype in pyramidal cells axons, are strongly inactivated at resting potential (Hu et al., 2009), and therefore are suited to underlie h-ADF. Parvalbumin positive (PV⁺) fast-spiking interneurons contain axonal Nav1.1 channels, a subtype that display less inactivation at resting membrane potential than Nav1.6 (Patel et al., 2015), and a much higher density of axonal Nav channels than pyramidal cells (Hu and Jonas, 2014; Hu et al., 2014). Therefore, one can expect that this type of interneuron lacks spike amplitude modulation and h-ADF.

## Coexistence of d-ADF and h-ADF at the Same Synapses

d-ADF and h-ADF are due to different mechanisms and present different time constants (100 ms to several seconds for d-ADF, 15–50 ms for h-ADF). It has been shown that d-ADF and h-ADF coexist and can be summed at CA3/CA3 synapses (Rama et al., 2015a). In fact, a long depolarization (10 s) followed by a brief hyperpolarization (200 ms) entails a bigger increase in spike-evoked synaptic transmission than a long depolarization or a brief hyperpolarization alone. Why has this coexistence not been shown in early studies in invertebrates? For synapses that display h-ADF but not d-ADF, we can assume a lack of inactivating potassium channels at the synapses studied, which prevents spike broadening by depolarization (giant synapse of the squid and frog neuromuscular junction). In the case of studies that report only d-ADF, it should be noted that the protocol used is not relevant to observe h-ADF. In fact, a brief hyperpolarization (15–200 ms) is needed to unravel h-ADF at synapses that also present d-ADF. A long hyperpolarization (several seconds) can induce de-inactivation of Kv1 channels and spike sharpening, which can thwart h-ADF (Bialowas et al., 2015; Rama et al., 2015a). In the studies made on invertebrates that report d-ADF but no h-ADF, the resting membrane potential was modified for several seconds before spike emission, which may explain why the h-ADF has not been reported. Therefore, additional studies are needed to unravel the degree of coexistence of d-ADF and h-ADF at invertebrates and mammals synapses.

## Physiological Consequences of ADFs

### Spatial Extent of ADFs

One of the main issues concerning Analog-Digital Facilitations is the spatial extent of these phenomena along the axon. In

fact, ADFs are produced by subthreshold modifications of the somatic potential that spreads to the presynaptic terminal and modifies presynaptic spike shape or basal Ca²⁺ (Debanne et al., 2013; Rama et al., 2015b). Therefore, the axonal space constant is a major determinant of the spatial extent of ADF. The axonal space constant varies among neuronal types, depending on the axonal diameter, the density of axonal branching and the axonal membrane resistance (Sasaki et al., 2012).

In CA3 hippocampal neurons, the axonal space constant has been evaluated around 200–500 µm (Sasaki et al., 2012; Bialowas et al., 2015; Rama et al., 2015a). In L5 pyramidal neurons, the value estimated ranges between 500 µm (Shu et al., 2006; Kole et al., 2007) and 1,000 µm (Christie and Jahr, 2009). In CA1 pyramidal neurons, the axonal space constant was found to be around 700 µm (Kim, 2014). Therefore, ADFs seem to be restricted to local brain circuits. For example, d-ADF has been found between CA3 neurons but not at the synapses between CA3 and CA1 neurons (Sasaki et al., 2012). However, several lines of evidence suggest that ADFs could also occur between more distant neurons. First, most of the recordings have been made in young animals (14–30 days after birth), in which the myelin sheet is still in development, and may have underestimated the axonal space constant in myelinated axons, such as CA1 and L5 pyramidal neurons. In fact, cortical myelin has been shown to develop up to 22 months after birth (Hill et al., 2018). Moreover, in myelinated axons of cat motoneurons, the axonal space constant was found to be 1,700 µm (Gogan et al., 1983). Second, neuromodulation can induce direct subthreshold potential modifications of presynaptic terminals by presynaptic receptor activation. Presynaptic glycine receptor activation depolarizes the Calyx of Held, leading to an increase in spike-evoked synaptic release (Turecek and Trussell, 2001). Similarly, presynaptic GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor activation depolarizes the presynaptic terminal, leading to an enhancement of spike-evoked synaptic transmission at mossy fiber giant bouton and Purkinje cells (Ruiz et al., 2010; Zorrilla de San Martin et al., 2017). In contrast, in L5 pyramidal neurons, axonal GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor activation leads to a hyperpolarization, a decrease of axonal spike width and a decrease of spike-evoked Ca²⁺ entry (Xia et al., 2014). Finally, glutamate released by astrocytes depolarizes terminals in CA3 pyramidal neurons, leading to an increase in spike width and synaptic release (Sasaki et al., 2011). In these latter cases, ADFs are not dependent on subthreshold membrane potential spreading from the soma and could occur even at long range connections.

### Time Constant of ADFs

ADFs present various time constants which determine their potential roles in network physiology. In fact, in most of the studies, d-ADF needs 100 ms to several seconds of presynaptic depolarization to occur. On the contrary, h-ADF can be produced by fast presynaptic hyperpolarization (15–50 ms; Rama et al., 2015a). This difference is well explained by the underlying mechanism of d-ADF and h-ADF: slow accumulation of basal Ca²⁺ (Bouhours et al., 2011; Christie et al., 2011) or slow Kv inactivation for d-ADF (Shu et al., 2006, 2007; Kole et al., 2007; Bialowas et al., 2015), fast recovery from inactivation of Nav for
is likely to occur at hippocampal mossy fiber, in which a somatic hyperpolarization results in an increase of spike-evoked $Ca^{2+}$ transient at small axonal varicosities (Ruiz et al., 2003). Interestingly, due to the fast biophysics of Nav channels, h-ADF is extremely fast and occurs within 15-50 ms of hyperpolarization. Therefore, it can be induced by a unique IPSP preceding the spike. Hence, rebound spiking should have a bigger impact on the postsynaptic cell if h-ADF is present at the synapse. One can think that h-ADF is a widespread phenomenon because it depends on Nav channels which are present in all spiking neuron types. However, it should be noted that a strong Nav channel density should attenuate the impact of their de-inactivation on the spike amplitude, and therefore decrease the h-ADF (Rama et al., 2015a). Moreover, Nav1.6 channels, which are the main subtype in pyramidal cells axons, are strongly inactivated at resting potential (Hu et al., 2009), and therefore are suited to underlie h-ADF. Parvalbumin positive (PV+) fast-spiking interneurons contain axonal Nav1.1 channels, a subtype that display less inactivation at resting membrane potential than Nav1.6 (Patel et al., 2015), and a much higher density of axonal Nav channels than pyramidal cells (Hu and Jonas, 2014; Hu et al., 2014). Therefore, one can expect that this type of interneuron lacks spike amplitude modulation and h-ADF.

## Coexistence of d-ADF and h-ADF at the Same Synapses

d-ADF and h-ADF are due to different mechanisms and present different time constants (100 ms to several seconds for d-ADF, 15-50 ms for h-ADF). It has been shown that d-ADF and h-ADF coexist and can be summed at CA3/CA3 synapses (Rama et al., 2015a). In fact, a long depolarization (10 s) followed by a brief hyperpolarization (200 ms) entails a bigger increase in spike-evoked synaptic transmission than a long depolarization or a brief hyperpolarization alone. Why has this coexistence not been shown in early studies in invertebrates? For synapses that display h-ADF but not d-ADF, we can assume a lack of inactivating potassium channels at the synapses studied, which prevents spike broadening by depolarization (giant synapse of the squid and frog neuromuscular junction). In the case of studies that report only d-ADF, it should be noted that the protocol used is not relevant to observe h-ADF. In fact, a brief hyperpolarization (15-200 ms) is needed to unravel h-ADF at synapses that also present d-ADF. A long hyperpolarization (several seconds) can induce de-inactivation of Kv1 channels and spike sharpening, which can thwart h-ADF (Bialowas et al., 2015; Rama et al., 2015a). In the studies made on invertebrates that report d-ADF but no h-ADF, the resting membrane potential was modified for several seconds before spike emission, which may explain why the h-ADF has not been reported. Therefore, additional studies are needed to unravel the degree of coexistence of d-ADF and h-ADF at invertebrates and mammals synapses.

## Physiological Consequences of ADFs

### Spatial Extent of ADFs

One of the main issues concerning Analog-Digital Facilitations is the spatial extent of these phenomena along the axon. In

fact, ADFs are produced by subthreshold modifications of the somatic potential that spreads to the presynaptic terminal and modifies presynaptic spike shape or basal $Ca^{2+}$ (Debanne et al., 2013; Rama et al., 2015b). Therefore, the axonal space constant is a major determinant of the spatial extent of ADF. The axonal space constant varies among neuronal types, depending on the axonal diameter, the density of axonal branching and the axonal membrane resistance (Sasaki et al., 2012).

In CA3 hippocampal neurons, the axonal space constant has been evaluated around 200-500 µm (Sasaki et al., 2012; Bialowas et al., 2015; Rama et al., 2015a). In L5 pyramidal neurons, the value estimated ranges between 500 µm (Shu et al., 2006; Kole et al., 2007) and 1,000 µm (Christie and Jahr, 2009). In CA1 pyramidal neurons, the axonal space constant was found to be around 700 µm (Kim, 2014). Therefore, ADFs seem to be restricted to local brain circuits. For example, d-ADF has been found between CA3 neurons but not at the synapses between CA3 and CA1 neurons (Sasaki et al., 2012). However, several lines of evidence suggest that ADFs could also occur between more distant neurons. First, most of the recordings have been made in young animals (14-30 days after birth), in which the myelin sheet is still in development, and may have underestimated the axonal space constant in myelinated axons, such as CA1 and L5 pyramidal neurons. In fact, cortical myelin has been shown to develop up to 22 months after birth (Hill et al., 2018). Moreover, in myelinated axons of cat motoneurons, the axonal space constant was found to be 1,700 µm (Gogan et al., 1983). Second, neuromodulation can induce direct subthreshold potential modifications of presynaptic terminals by presynaptic receptor activation. Presynaptic glycine receptor activation depolarizes the Calyx of Held, leading to an increase in spike-evoked synaptic release (Turecek and Trussell, 2001). Similarly, presynaptic $GABA_A$ receptor activation depolarizes the presynaptic terminal, leading to an enhancement of spike-evoked synaptic transmission at mossy fiber giant bouton and Purkinje cells (Ruiz et al., 2010; Zorrilla de San Martin et al., 2017). In contrast, in L5 pyramidal neurons, axonal $GABA_A$ receptor activation leads to a hyperpolarization, a decrease of axonal spike width and a decrease of spike-evoked $Ca^{2+}$ entry (Xia et al., 2014). Finally, glutamate released by astrocytes depolarizes terminals in CA3 pyramidal neurons, leading to an increase in spike width and synaptic release (Sasaki et al., 2011). In these latter cases, ADFs are not dependent on subthreshold membrane potential spreading from the soma and could occur even at long range connections.

### Time Constant of ADFs

ADFs present various time constants which determine their potential roles in network physiology. In fact, in most of the studies, d-ADF needs 100 ms to several seconds of presynaptic depolarization to occur. On the contrary, h-ADF can be produced by fast presynaptic hyperpolarization (15-50 ms; Rama et al., 2015a). This difference is well explained by the underlying mechanism of d-ADF and h-ADF: slow accumulation of basal $Ca^{2+}$ (Bouhours et al., 2011; Christie et al., 2011) or slow Kv inactivation for d-ADF (Shu et al., 2006, 2007; Kole et al., 2007; Bialowas et al., 2015), fast recovery from inactivation of Nav for
h-ADF (Rama et al., 2015a; Zbili et al., 2016). Therefore, d-ADF and h-ADF should have different consequences on information transfer in neuronal networks.

## d-ADF May Maintain Excitatory Synaptic Strength During Cortical Up-States

It has been proposed that d-ADF, due to its slow time-constant, occurs during global network state modifications such as slow-wave sleep associated cortical up and down states (Shu et al., 2006). During an up state, all the neurons of a network will depolarize leading to a global increase in synaptic release through d-ADF. At the same time, the global depolarization should decrease the driving force associated with synaptic excitatory current. In fact, while d-ADF increases synaptic strength by a factor around 1% per mV of presynaptic depolarization (Kole et al., 2007; Bialowas et al., 2015), calculations of driving force for AMPA-driven synaptic current predict a synaptic strength decrease of around 1.5% per mV of postsynaptic depolarization. Therefore, in the case of a globally depolarized neuronal network, d-ADF can be considered as a homeostatic process that maintains an excitatory synaptic strength constant despite the decrease of the driving force.

## d-ADF May Maintain Excitatory-Inhibitory Balance During Up-States

Interestingly, at connections between L5 pyramidal neurons, a depolarization of the presynaptic pyramidal neuron entails both an increase of the monosynaptic EPSP (i.e., classical d-ADF) and an increase in disynaptic inhibition (Zhu et al., 2011). This depolarization-induced facilitation of disynaptic inhibition results from d-ADF occurring at a synapse between L5 pyramidal neurons and neighboring interneurons, leading to an increase in interneuron firing. This phenomenon has been proposed to be important for the persistence of excitatory-inhibitory balance during up-states where d-ADF may increase excitatory and inhibitory activity at the same time (Zhu et al., 2011).

## h-ADF May Participate to Network Synchronization

Because of the fast de-inactivation time constant of Nav channels, h-ADF can be induced by a single IPSP preceding the presynaptic spike (Rama et al., 2015a). Therefore, h-ADF modulates synaptic strength on a short time scale and may participate in fast network processing. First, it is well known that hyperpolarization produced by interneurons is able to synchronize the spiking of neighboring pyramidal neurons. Usually, one explains this phenomenon by a transient silencing of the pyramidal cells as a whole, causing the post-hyperpolarization spiking to occur in synchrony. It can also be enhanced by the so-called “rebound spiking,” which is often due to the recovery from inactivation of T-type Ca²⁺ channels and Nav channels during the hyperpolarization. Interestingly, the h-ADF, which increases the inter-pyramidal synaptic strength after a transient hyperpolarization, has been shown to increase the interneuron-driven network synchronization (Rama et al., 2015a). Second, it has been shown that sequences of co-activated pyramidal neurons are often preceded and can be produced by interneuronal firing (Sasaki et al., 2014). It would be interesting to examine whether the increase in inter-pyramidal synaptic

strength through h-ADF participates in the production of neuronal ensembles by interneurons. Third, h-ADF could be a detection mechanism for unexpected spikes. In fact, when the neuron is hyperpolarized, the spiking probability decreases. However, due to h-ADF, if a spike occurs during a low spiking probability state, the synaptic release is increased, compared to a spike produced at the resting membrane potential. Therefore, h-ADF increases the informational content of unexpected spikes in cortical networks. Finally, it has been proposed that h-ADF participates in the increase of synaptic transmission during silent states of the slow wave sleep, in which cortical neurons can be hyperpolarized by 5-15 mV (Timofeev and Chauvette, 2017).

## CONCLUSION AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

We have reviewed evidence showing that the informational content of the spike is dependent on the context of its emission. In fact, the presynaptic spike waveform varies as a function of the neuronal firing rate, the neuro-modulatory state or the subthreshold voltage fluctuations. Moreover, this information is transmitted to postsynaptic neurons by modulation of spike-evoked calcium entry and neurotransmitter release. In this view, the neurotransmission in mammalian CNS needs the occurrence of a digital signal (the spike), whose waveform is modulated by the sub-threshold signal. It has been proposed that synaptic transmission relies on a hybrid between analog and digital signaling, called Analog-Digital synaptic transmission (Clark and Häusser, 2006; Alle and Geiger, 2008). Consequently, the description of APs as purely digital events to study information processing of neuronal networks should be abandoned. In fact, it has been shown that an “AP waveform code” is highly reliable and more informative than a purely digital code (de Polavieja et al., 2005; Juusola et al., 2007). Several issues have to be solved to unravel the physiological implications of context-dependent spike waveform modulation. First, ADFs should be tested at various stages of neuronal development. One could expect that context-dependent modulation of spike waveform is larger in developing networks, which present a lower density of voltage-gated channels and therefore a less stable spike shape. Second, d-ADF and h-ADF have to be studied in adult networks, in which the myelination process is completed, to confirm the spatial extent of these phenomena. In fact, two published studies report paired recordings of thalamo-cortical connections (Bruno and Sakmann, 2006; Hu and Agmon, 2016), making it possible to test if ADFs occur at long range connections when the axon is myelinated. Third, it would be interesting to observe the extent of ADFs in interneurons. In fact, due to their high voltage-gated channel density, it seems that fast-spiking cortical interneurons do not present spike waveform modulation in function of the membrane potential (Tateno and Robinson, 2006; Goldberg et al., 2008). In contrast, cerebellar stellate cells present depolarization-induced spike broadening and an increase in synaptic release (Rowan and Christie, 2017). Therefore, GABAergic transmission may undergo ADF, depending on the type of interneuron studied. Finally, the spike
h-ADF (Rama et al., 2015a; Zbili et al., 2016). Therefore, d-ADF and h-ADF should have different consequences on information transfer in neuronal networks.

## d-ADF May Maintain Excitatory Synaptic Strength During Cortical Up-States

It has been proposed that d-ADF, due to its slow time-constant, occurs during global network state modifications such as slow-wave sleep associated cortical up and down states (Shu et al., 2006). During an up state, all the neurons of a network will depolarize leading to a global increase in synaptic release through d-ADF. At the same time, the global depolarization should decrease the driving force associated with synaptic excitatory current. In fact, while d-ADF increases synaptic strength by a factor around 1% per mV of presynaptic depolarization (Kole et al., 2007; Bialowas et al., 2015), calculations of driving force for AMPA-driven synaptic current predict a synaptic strength decrease of around 1.5% per mV of postsynaptic depolarization. Therefore, in the case of a globally depolarized neuronal network, d-ADF can be considered as a homeostatic process that maintains an excitatory synaptic strength constant despite the decrease of the driving force.

## d-ADF May Maintain Excitatory-Inhibitory Balance During Up-States

Interestingly, at connections between L5 pyramidal neurons, a depolarization of the presynaptic pyramidal neuron entails both an increase of the monosynaptic EPSP (i.e., classical d-ADF) and an increase in disynaptic inhibition (Zhu et al., 2011). This depolarization-induced facilitation of disynaptic inhibition results from d-ADF occurring at a synapse between L5 pyramidal neurons and neighboring interneurons, leading to an increase in interneuron firing. This phenomenon has been proposed to be important for the persistence of excitatory-inhibitory balance during up-states where d-ADF may increase excitatory and inhibitory activity at the same time (Zhu et al., 2011).

## h-ADF May Participate to Network Synchronization

Because of the fast de-inactivation time constant of Nav channels, h-ADF can be induced by a single IPSP preceding the presynaptic spike (Rama et al., 2015a). Therefore, h-ADF modulates synaptic strength on a short time scale and may participate in fast network processing. First, it is well known that hyperpolarization produced by interneurons is able to synchronize the spiking of neighboring pyramidal neurons. Usually, one explains this phenomenon by a transient silencing of the pyramidal cells as a whole, causing the post-hyperpolarization spiking to occur in synchrony. It can also be enhanced by the so-called “rebound spiking,” which is often due to the recovery from inactivation of T-type Ca²⁺ channels and Nav channels during the hyperpolarization. Interestingly, the h-ADF, which increases the inter-pyramidal synaptic strength after a transient hyperpolarization, has been shown to increase the interneuron-driven network synchronization (Rama et al., 2015a). Second, it has been shown that sequences of co-activated pyramidal neurons are often preceded and can be produced by interneuronal firing (Sasaki et al., 2014). It would be interesting to examine whether the increase in inter-pyramidal synaptic

strength through h-ADF participates in the production of neuronal ensembles by interneurons. Third, h-ADF could be a detection mechanism for unexpected spikes. In fact, when the neuron is hyperpolarized, the spiking probability decreases. However, due to h-ADF, if a spike occurs during a low spiking probability state, the synaptic release is increased, compared to a spike produced at the resting membrane potential. Therefore, h-ADF increases the informational content of unexpected spikes in cortical networks. Finally, it has been proposed that h-ADF participates in the increase of synaptic transmission during silent states of the slow wave sleep, in which cortical neurons can be hyperpolarized by 5–15 mV (Timofeev and Chauvette, 2017).

## CONCLUSION AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

We have reviewed evidence showing that the informational content of the spike is dependent on the context of its emission. In fact, the presynaptic spike waveform varies as a function of the neuronal firing rate, the neuro-modulatory state or the subthreshold voltage fluctuations. Moreover, this information is transmitted to postsynaptic neurons by modulation of spike-evoked calcium entry and neurotransmitter release. In this view, the neurotransmission in mammalian CNS needs the occurrence of a digital signal (the spike), whose waveform is modulated by the sub-threshold signal. It has been proposed that synaptic transmission relies on a hybrid between analog and digital signaling, called Analog-Digital synaptic transmission (Clark and Häusser, 2006; Alle and Geiger, 2008). Consequently, the description of APs as purely digital events to study information processing of neuronal networks should be abandoned. In fact, it has been shown that an “AP waveform code” is highly reliable and more informative than a purely digital code (de Polavieja et al., 2005; Juusola et al., 2007). Several issues have to be solved to unravel the physiological implications of context-dependent spike waveform modulation. First, ADFs should be tested at various stages of neuronal development. One could expect that context-dependent modulation of spike waveform is larger in developing networks, which present a lower density of voltage-gated channels and therefore a less stable spike shape. Second, d-ADF and h-ADF have to be studied in adult networks, in which the myelination process is completed, to confirm the spatial extent of these phenomena. In fact, two published studies report paired recordings of thalamo-cortical connections (Bruno and Sakmann, 2006; Hu and Agmon, 2016), making it possible to test if ADFs occur at long range connections when the axon is myelinated. Third, it would be interesting to observe the extent of ADFs in interneurons. In fact, due to their high voltage-gated channel density, it seems that fast-spiking cortical interneurons do not present spike waveform modulation in function of the membrane potential (Tateno and Robinson, 2006; Goldberg et al., 2008). In contrast, cerebellar stellate cells present depolarization-induced spike broadening and an increase in synaptic release (Rowan and Christie, 2017). Therefore, GABAergic transmission may undergo ADF, depending on the type of interneuron studied. Finally, the spike
waveform effects may not be restricted to synaptic release and
may affect dendritic computing. In fact, it has been proposed
that a spike broadening causes a shunting of incoming PSPs
and a decrease in their summation, promoting a low firing
rate (Hausser et al., 2001; Juusola et al., 2007). Interestingly, in
L5 pyramidal neurons, depolarization-induced spike broadening
has been shown to have a shorter time-constant in the soma
than in the axon (Shu et al., 2007), due to local differences
in potassium current expression (fast inactivating $I_A$ current
in the somato-dendritic compartment and slow inactivating $I_D$
current in the axon). Moreover, in contrast with the axonal
spike broadening, it seems that the dendritic spike broadening
reduces the $Ca^{2+}$ entry through the decrease of the driving
force promoting the $Ca^{2+}$ tail current in granule cells of the
dentate gyrus (Brunner and Szabadics, 2016). Therefore, it is

likely that subthreshold depolarization has different effects on
somato-dendritic and axonal computing. The pursuit of the
investigation on neuronal computation *via* spike waveform
will certainly unravel the physiological importance of this
phenomenon on networks dynamics.

## AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

MZ and DD wrote the manuscript and built the figures.

## FUNDING

This work was supported by ANR (AXODE-14-CE-13-0003-02 to DD), FRM (FDT20150-0532147 to MZ) and LABEX Cortex of Université de Lyon (NR-11-LABX-0042).

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Christie, J. M., Chiu, D. N., and Jahr, C. E. (2011). $Ca^{2+}$-dependent enhancement of release by subthreshold somatic depolarization. *Nat. Neurosci.* 14, 62–68. doi: 10.1038/nn.2718

Clark, B., and Häusser, M. (2006). Neural coding: hybrid analog and digital signalling in axons. *Curr. Biol.* 16, R585–R588. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2006.07.007

Connor, J. A., Kretz, R., and Shapiro, E. (1986). Calcium levels measured in a presynaptic neurone of Aplysia under conditions that modulate transmitter release. *J. Physiol.* 375, 625–642. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1986.sp016137

Cowan, A. I., and Stricker, C. (2004). Functional connectivity in layer IV local excitatory circuits of rat somatosensory cortex. *J. Neurophysiol.* 92, 2137–2150. doi: 10.1152/jn.01262.2003

Crabtree, G. W., Sun, Z., Kvajo, M., Broek, J. A., Fénelon, K., McKellar, H., et al. (2017). Alteration of neuronal excitability and short-term synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex of a mouse model of mental illness. *J. Neurosci.* 37, 4158–4180. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4345-15.2017

Cuttle, M. F., Tsujimoto, T., Forsythe, I. D., and Takahashi, T. (1998). Facilitation of the presynaptic calcium current at an auditory synapse in rat brainstem. *J. Physiol.* 512, 723–729. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7793.1998.723bd.x

de Polavieja, G. G., Harsch, A., Kleppe, I., Robinson, H. P., and Juusola, M. (2005). Stimulus history reliably shapes action potential waveforms of cortical neurons. *J. Neurosci.* 25, 5657–5665. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0242-05.2005

Debanne, D., Bialowas, A., and Rama, S. (2013). What are the mechanisms for analogue and digital signalling in the brain? *Nat. Rev. Neurosci.* 14, 63–69. doi: 10.1038/nrn3361

Del Castillo, J., and Katz, B. (1954). Changes in end-plate activity produced by presynaptic polarization. *J. Physiol.* 124, 586–604. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1954.sp005131

Deng, P. Y., Rotman, Z., Blundon, J. A., Cho, Y., Cui, J., Cavalli, V., et al. (2013). FMRP regulates neurotransmitter release and synaptic information transmission by modulating action potential duration via BK channels. *Neuron* 77, 696–711. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2012.12.018

Dong, Y., and White, F. J. (2003). Dopamine D1-class receptors selectively modulate a slowly inactivating potassium current in rat medial prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons. *J. Neurosci.* 23, 2686–2695. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.23-07-02686.2003

Dudel, J. (1971). The effect of polarizing current on action potential and transmitter release in crayfish motor nerve terminals. *Pflugers Arch.* 324, 227–248. doi: 10.1007/bf00586421

Evans, C. G., Ludwar, B., Askanas, J., and Cropper, E. C. (2011). Effect of holding potential on the dynamics of homosynaptic facilitation. *J. Neurosci.* 31, 11039–11043. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2361-11.2011

Faber, E. S., and Sah, P. (2003). $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ (BK) channel inactivation contributes to spike broadening during repetitive firing in the rat lateral amygdala. *J. Physiol.* 552, 483–497. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7793.2003.00483.x
waveform effects may not be restricted to synaptic release and
may affect dendritic computing. In fact, it has been proposed
that a spike broadening causes a shunting of incoming PSPs
and a decrease in their summation, promoting a low firing
rate (Hausser et al., 2001; Juusola et al., 2007). Interestingly, in
L5 pyramidal neurons, depolarization-induced spike broadening
has been shown to have a shorter time-constant in the soma
than in the axon (Shu et al., 2007), due to local differences
in potassium current expression (fast inactivating $I_A$ current
in the somato-dendritic compartment and slow inactivating $I_D$
current in the axon). Moreover, in contrast with the axonal
spike broadening, it seems that the dendritic spike broadening
reduces the $Ca^{2+}$ entry through the decrease of the driving
force promoting the $Ca^{2+}$ tail current in granule cells of the
dentate gyrus (Brunner and Szabadics, 2016). Therefore, it is

likely that subthreshold depolarization has different effects on
somato-dendritic and axonal computing. The pursuit of the
investigation on neuronal computation *via* spike waveform
will certainly unravel the physiological importance of this
phenomenon on networks dynamics.

## AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

MZ and DD wrote the manuscript and built the figures.

## FUNDING

This work was supported by ANR (AXODE-14-CE-13-0003-02 to DD), FRM (FDT20150-0532147 to MZ) and LABEX Cortex of Université de Lyon (NR-11-LABX-0042).

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Geiger, J. R., and Jonas, P. (2000). Dynamic control of presynaptic Ca²⁺ inflow by fast-inactivating K⁺ channels in hippocampal mossy fiber boutons. *Neuron* 28, 927–939. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(00)00164-1

Gogan, P., Gueritaud, J. P., and Tyc-Dumont, S. (1983). Comparison of antidromic and orthodromic action potentials of identified motor axons in the cat's brain stem. *J. Physiol.* 335, 205–220. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1983.sp014529

Goldberg, E. M., Clark, B. D., Zagha, E., Nahmani, M., Erisir, A., and Rudy, B. (2008). K⁺ channels at the axon initial segment dampen near-threshold excitability of neocortical fast-spiking GABAergic interneurons. *Neuron* 58, 387–400. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2008.03.003

Hagiwara, S., and Tasaki, I. (1958). A study on the mechanism of impulse transmission across the giant synapse of the squid. *J. Physiol.* 143, 114–137. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1958.sp006048

Hausser, M., Major, G., and Stuart, G. J. (2001). Differential shunting of EPSPs by action potentials. *Science* 291, 138–141. doi: 10.1126/science.291.5501.138

He, Y., Zorumski, C. F., and Mennerick, S. (2002). Contribution of presynaptic Na⁺ channel inactivation to paired-pulse synaptic depression in cultured hippocampal neurons. *J. Neurophysiol.* 87, 925–936. doi: 10.1152/jn.00225.2001

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Hoppa, M. B., Gouzer, G., Armbruster, M., and Ryan, T. A. (2014). Control and plasticity of the presynaptic action potential waveform at small CNS nerve terminals. *Neuron* 84, 778–789. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.09.038

Hori, T., and Takahashi, T. (2009). Mechanisms underlying short-term modulation of transmitter release by presynaptic depolarization. *J. Physiol.* 587, 2987–3000. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.168765

Hu, H., and Agmon, A. (2016). Differential excitation of distally versus proximally targeting cortical interneurons by unitary thalamocortical bursts. *J. Neurosci.* 36, 6906–6916. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0739-16.2016

Hu, H., Gan, J., and Jonas, P. (2014). Interneurons. Fast-spiking, parvalbumin⁺ GABAergic interneurons: from cellular design to microcircuit function. *Science* 345:1255263. doi: 10.1126/science.1255263

Hu, H., and Jonas, P. (2014). A supercritical density of Na⁺ channels ensures fast signaling in GABAergic interneuron axons. *Nat Neurosci* 17, 686–693. doi: 10.1038/nn.3678

Hu, W., Tian, C., Li, T., Yang, M., Hou, H., and Shu, Y. (2009). Distinct contributions of Na⁺1.6 and Na⁺1.2 in action potential initiation and backpropagation. *Nat. Neurosci.* 12, 996–1002. doi: 10.1038/nn.2359

Hubbard, J. I., and Willis, W. D. (1962). Hyperpolarization of mammalian motor nerve terminals. *J. Physiol.* 163, 115–137. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1962.sp006961

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**Conflict of Interest Statement:** The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Copyright © 2019 Zbili and Debanne. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Ruiz, A., Campanac, E., Scott, R. S., Rusakov, D. A., and Kullmann, D. M. (2010). Presynaptic GABAA receptors enhance transmission and LTP induction at hippocampal mossy fiber synapses. *Nat. Neurosci.* 13, 431–438. doi: 10.1038/nn.2512

Ruiz, A., Fabian-Fine, R., Scott, R., Walker, M. C., Rusakov, D. A., and Kullmann, D. M. (2003). GABAA receptors at hippocampal mossy fibers. *Neuron* 39, 961–973. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(03)00559-2

Sabatini, B. L., and Regehr, W. G. (1997). Control of neurotransmitter release by presynaptic waveform at the granule cell to Purkinje cell synapse. *J. Neurosci.* 17, 3425–3435. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.17-10-03425.1997

Sasaki, T., Matsuki, N., and Ikegaya, Y. (2011). Action-potential modulation during axonal conduction. *Science* 331, 599–601. doi: 10.1126/science.1197598

Sasaki, T., Matsuki, N., and Ikegaya, Y. (2012). Effects of axonal topology on the somatic modulation of synaptic outputs. *J. Neurosci.* 32, 2868–2876. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5365-11.2012

Sasaki, T., Matsuki, N., and Ikegaya, Y. (2014). Interneuron firing precedes sequential activation of neuronal ensembles in hippocampal slices. *Eur. J. Neurosci.* 39, 2027–2036. doi: 10.1111/ejn.12554

Saviane, C., Mohajerani, M. H., and Cherubini, E. (2003). An ID-like current that is downregulated by Ca²⁺ modulates information coding at CA3-CA3 synapses in the rat hippocampus. *J. Physiol.* 552, 513–524. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2003.051045

Scott, R., Ruiz, A., Henneberger, C., Kullmann, D. M., and Rusakov, D. A. (2008). Analog modulation of mossy fiber transmission is uncoupled from changes in presynaptic Ca²⁺. *J. Neurosci.* 28, 7765–7773. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1296-08.2008

Scott, R., Sánchez-Aguilera, A., van Elst, K., Lim, L., Dehorter, N., Bae, S. E., et al. (2019). Loss of Cntnap2 causes axonal excitability deficits, developmental delay in cortical myelination, and abnormal stereotyped motor behavior. *Cereb. Cortex* 29, 586–597. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhx341

Shao, L. R., Halvorsrud, R., Borg-Graham, L., and Storm, J. F. (1999). The role of BK-type Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ channels in spike broadening during repetitive firing in rat hippocampal pyramidal cells. *J. Physiol.* 521, 135–146. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7793.1999.00135.x

Shapiro, E., Castellucci, V. F., and Kandel, E. R. (1980). Presynaptic membrane potential affects transmitter release in an identified neuron in Aplysia by modulating the Ca²⁺ and K⁺ currents. *Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A* 77, 629–633. doi: 10.1073/pnas.77.1.629

Shimahara, T. (1981). Modulation of synaptic output by the transient outward potassium current in aplysia. *Neurosci. Lett.* 24, 139–142. doi: 10.1016/0304-3940(81)90237-8

Shimahara, T. (1983). Presynaptic modulation of transmitter release by the early outward potassium current in Aplysia. *Brain Res.* 263, 51–56. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(83)91199-x

Shimahara, T., and Peretz, B. (1978). Soma potential of an interneurone controls transmitter release in a monosynaptic pathway in Aplysia. *Nature* 273, 158–160. doi: 10.1038/273158a0

Shimahara, T., and Tauc, L. (1975). Multiple interneuronal afferents to the giant cells in Aplysia. *J. Physiol.* 247, 299–319. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1975.sp010933

Shu, Y., Hasenstaub, A., Duque, A., Yu, Y., and McCormick, D. A. (2006). Modulation of intracortical synaptic potentials by presynaptic somatic membrane potential. *Nature* 441, 761–765. doi: 10.1038/nature04720

Shu, Y., Yu, Y., Yang, J., and McCormick, D. A. (2007). Selective control of cortical axonal spikes by a slowly inactivating K⁺ current. *Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A* 104, 11453–11458. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0702041104

Sierksma, M. C., and Borst, J. G. G. (2017). Resistance to action potential depression of a rat axon terminal *in vivo*. *Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A* 114, 4249–4254. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1619433114

Takeuchi, A., and Takeuchi, N. (1962). Electrical changes in pre- and postsynaptic axons of the giant synapse of Loligo. *J. Gen. Physiol.* 45, 1181–1193. doi: 10.1085/jgp.45.6.1181

Tateno, T., and Robinson, H. P. (2006). Rate coding and spike-time variability in cortical neurons with two types of threshold dynamics. *J. Neurophysiol.* 95, 2650–2663. doi: 10.1152/jn.00683.2005

Thio, L. L., and Yamada, K. A. (2004). Differential presynaptic modulation of excitatory and inhibitory autaptic currents in cultured hippocampal neurons. *Brain Res.* 1012, 22–28. doi: 10.1016/s0006-8993(04)00467-6

Timofeev, I., and Chauvette, S. (2017). Sleep slow oscillation and plasticity. *Curr. Opin. Neurobiol.* 44, 116–126. doi: 10.1016/j.conb.2017.03.019

Turecek, R., and Trussell, L. O. (2001). Presynaptic glycine receptors enhance transmitter release at a mammalian central synapse. *Nature* 411, 587–590. doi: 10.1038/35079084

Vivekananda, U., Novak, P., Bello, O. D., Korchev, Y. E., Krishnakumar, S. S., Volynski, K. E., et al. (2017). Kv1.1 channelopathy abolishes presynaptic spike width modulation by subthreshold somatic depolarization. *Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A* 114, 2395–2400. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1608763114

Xia, Y., Zhao, Y., Yang, M., Zeng, S., and Shu, Y. (2014). Regulation of action potential waveforms by axonal GABAA receptors in cortical pyramidal neurons. *PLoS One* 9:e100968. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100968

Yang, J., Ye, M., Tian, C., Yang, M., Wang, Y., and Shu, Y. (2013). Dopaminergic modulation of axonal potassium channels and action potential waveform in pyramidal neurons of prefrontal cortex. *J. Physiol.* 591, 3233–3251. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2013.251058

Yang, Y. M., and Wang, L. Y. (2006). Amplitude and kinetics of action potential-evoked Ca²⁺ current and its efficacy in triggering transmitter release at the developing calyx of Held synapse. *J. Neurosci.* 26, 5698–5708. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4889-05.2006

Zbili, M., Rama, S., and Debanne, D. (2016). Dynamic control of neurotransmitter release by presynaptic potential. *Front. Cell. Neurosci.* 10:278. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00278

Zhu, J., Jiang, M., Yang, M., Hou, H., and Shu, Y. (2011). Membrane potential-dependent modulation of recurrent inhibition in rat neocortex. *PLoS Biol.* 9:e1001032. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001032

Zorrilla de San Martin, J., Trigo, F. F., and Kawaguchi, S. Y. (2017). Axonal GABAA receptors depolarize presynaptic terminals and facilitate transmitter release in cerebellar Purkinje cells. *J. Physiol.* 595, 7477–7493. doi: 10.1113/jp275369

Zucker, R. S., and Regehr, W. G. (2002). Short-term synaptic plasticity. *Annu. Rev. Physiol.* 64, 355–405. doi: 10.1146/annurev.physiol.64.092501.114547

**Conflict of Interest Statement:** The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Copyright © 2019 Zbili and Debanne. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.