Submitted by RandomName01a t3_105fd7w in askscience
Is there a way to modulate firing threshold in neurons? If so what ways? ex (pharmacologically, genetically, physically) Could you make a neuron more or less sensitive to stimulus by altering the firing threshold? For example could you make olfactory receptors more sensitive to small amounts of a molecule or photoreceptors that need less light to fire leading to better night vision?
ttkciar t1_j3b8bph wrote
In transcranial stimulation (for example rTMS) neurons are artificially stimulated into firing frequently, which reduces their firing threshold over time.
This renders those neurons more likely to fire more frequently for some time (several months to a year, in the case of rTMS).
This is used to treat problems like executive dysfunction, by increasing activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Stimulating other regions helps with other problems.