"... we used electrophysiological recordings and neuronal reconstructions to generate computer models of (Gonadotopin-Releasing Hormone) GnRH neurons to examine the effects of synaptic inputs at varying distances from the soma along dendrites. ... analysis of reduced morphology models indicated that this population of cells is unlikely to exhibit low-frequency tonic spiking in the absence of synaptic input. ... applying realistic patterns of synaptic input to modeled GnRH neurons indicates that synapses located more than about 30% of the average dendrite length from the soma cannot drive firing at frequencies consistent with neuropeptide release. Thus, processing of synaptic input to dendrites of GnRH neurons is probably more complex than simple summation."
Model Type: Neuron or other electrically excitable cell
Cell Type(s): GnRH neuron
Currents: I Na,t; I L high threshold; I K
Model Concept(s): Synaptic Integration
Simulation Environment: GENESIS
Implementer(s): Roberts, Carson [carson.b.roberts at gmail.com]
References:
Roberts CB, Best JA, Suter KJ. (2006). Dendritic processing of excitatory synaptic input in hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing-hormone neurons. Endocrinology. 147 [PubMed]