Mechanisms of spontaneous [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations observed in the supraoptic nucleus vasopressin and oxytocin neurones have been found.

Extracellular Ca²⁺ is essential for oscillations whereas targeting intracellular Ca²⁺ stores did not prevent cells from oscillations.

Oscillations are mainly regulated by the high-voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels dominated by R-type channel, the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger in the reverse mode, and the plasmatic-Ca²⁺-ATP_ase pump.

Oscillations may need changes in membrane potential but do not require action potentials.

The mitochondrial role in the oscillations is less clear.