How may a neuron be facilitated?

How may a neuron be facilitated?

• A. Increased irritation, decreased inhibition
• B. Decreased irritation, increased inhibition
• C. Increased irritation, increased inhibition
• D. Decreased irritation, decreased inhibition

Answer: (A)

Facilitation means the neuron becomes more excitable and fires more readily because its threshold for activation is effectively lowered. This happens when inhibitory input is reduced and/or excitatory input is increased. The best choice describes the neuron as more irritable (more excitable) while having less inhibition, which together make it easier to reach threshold in response to stimulation. If inhibition were increased, or irritability decreased, the neuron would be less likely to fire, not facilitated. Similarly, pairing increased irritability with increased inhibition or decreased irritability with decreased inhibition would not produce the same ready-to-fire state.

Facilitation means the neuron becomes more excitable and fires more readily because its threshold for activation is effectively lowered. This happens when inhibitory input is reduced and/or excitatory input is increased. The best choice describes the neuron as more irritable (more excitable) while having less inhibition, which together make it easier to reach threshold in response to stimulation. If inhibition were increased, or irritability decreased, the neuron would be less likely to fire, not facilitated. Similarly, pairing increased irritability with increased inhibition or decreased irritability with decreased inhibition would not produce the same ready-to-fire state.