A Web-based simulation system of the spinal cord circuitry responsible for muscle control is described. The simulator employs two-compartment motoneuron models for S, FR and FF types, with synaptic inputs acting through conductance variations. Four motoneuron pools with their associated interneurons are represented in the simulator, with the possibility of inclusion of more than 2,000 neurons and 2,000,000 synapses. ... Inputs to the motoneuron pool come from populations of interneurons (Ia reciprocal inhibitory interneurons, Ib interneurons, and Renshaw cells) and from stochastic point processes associated with descending tracts. ... The generation of the H-reflex by the Ia-motoneuron pool system and its modulation by spinal cord interneurons is included in the simulation system.
Model Type: Realistic Network
Cell Type(s): Spinal cord lumbar Interneuron 1a GLY cell; Spinal cord lumbar motor neuron alpha ACh cell; Spinal cord motor neuron slow twitch; Spinal cord motor neuron fatigue resistant; Spinal cord motor neuron fast fatiguing; Spinal cord Ib interneuron; Spinal cord renshaw cell
Model Concept(s): Temporal Pattern Generation
Simulation Environment: Java (web link to model)
References:
Cisi RR, Kohn AF. (2008). Simulation system of spinal cord motor nuclei and associated nerves and muscles, in a Web-based architecture. Journal of computational neuroscience. 25 [PubMed]