The Purkinje cell is one of the most complex type of neuron in the central nervous system and is well known for its massive dendritic tree. The initiation of the action potential was theorized to be due to the high calcium channels presence in the dendritic tree but, in the last years, this idea was revised. In fact, the Axon Initial Segment, the first section of the axon was seen to be critical for the spontaneous generation of action potentials. The model reproduces the behaviours linked to the presence of this fundamental sections and the interplay with the other parts of the neuron.
Model Type: Neuron or other electrically excitable cell; Axon
Region(s) or Organism(s): Cerebellum
Cell Type(s): Cerebellum Purkinje GABA cell
Currents: I Sodium; I Calcium; I Na,t; I K
Genes: Cav2.1 CACNA1A; Cav3.1 CACNA1G; Cav3.2 CACNA1H; Cav3.3 CACNA1I; Nav1.6 SCN8A; Kv1.1 KCNA1; Kv1.5 KCNA5; Kv3.3 KCNC3; Kv3.4 KCNC4; Kv4.3 KCND3; KCa1.1 KCNMA1; KCa2.2 KCNN2; KCa3.1 KCNN4; Kir2.1 KCNJ2; HCN1
Model Concept(s): Bursting; Detailed Neuronal Models; Action Potentials; Action Potential Initiation; Axonal Action Potentials
Simulation Environment: NEURON; Python
Implementer(s): Masoli, Stefano [stefano.masoli at unipv.it]; Solinas, Sergio [solinas at unipv.it]
References:
Masoli S, Solinas S, D'Angelo E. (2015). Action potential processing in a detailed Purkinje cell model reveals a critical role for axonal compartmentalization. Frontiers in cellular neuroscience. 9 [PubMed]