"We examined in models the influence of Na channel activation, inactivation, slow voltage-gated channels and synaptic conductances on spike threshold. We propose a threshold equation which quantifies the contribution of all these mechanisms. It provides an instantaneous time-varying value of the threshold, which applies to neurons with fluctuating inputs. ... We find that spike threshold depends logarithmically on Na channel density, and that Na channel inactivation and K channels can dynamically modulate it in an adaptive way: the threshold increases with membrane potential and after every action potential. " See paper for more.
Model Type: Neuron or other electrically excitable cell
Model Concept(s): Action Potential Initiation
Simulation Environment: Brian (web link to method); Python (web link to model)
Implementer(s): Brette R
References:
Platkiewicz J, Brette R. (2010). A threshold equation for action potential initiation. PLoS computational biology. 6 [PubMed]