To better understand population phenomena in thalamocortical neuronal ensembles, we have constructed a preliminary network model with 3,560 multicompartment neurons (containing soma, branching dendrites, and a portion of axon). Types of neurons included superficial pyramids (with regular spiking [RS] and fast rhythmic bursting [FRB] firing behaviors); RS spiny stellates; fast spiking (FS) interneurons, with basket-type and axoaxonic types of connectivity, and located in superficial and deep cortical layers; low threshold spiking (LTS) interneurons, that contacted principal cell dendrites; deep pyramids, that could have RS or intrinsic bursting (IB) firing behaviors, and endowed either with non-tufted apical dendrites or with long tufted apical dendrites; thalamocortical relay (TCR) cells; and nucleus reticularis (nRT) cells. To the extent possible, both electrophysiology and synaptic connectivity were based on published data, although many arbitrary choices were necessary.
Model Type: Realistic Network
Region(s) or Organism(s): Neocortex; Thalamus
Cell Type(s): Thalamus geniculate nucleus/lateral principal GLU cell; Thalamus reticular nucleus GABA cell; Neocortex U1 L6 pyramidal corticalthalamic GLU cell; Neocortex U1 L2/6 pyramidal intratelencephalic GLU cell; Neocortex fast spiking (FS) interneuron; Neocortex spiking regular (RS) neuron; Neocortex spiking low threshold (LTS) neuron
Currents: I Na,p; I Na,t; I L high threshold; I T low threshold; I A; I K; I M; I h; I K,Ca; I Calcium; I A, slow
Model Concept(s): Activity Patterns; Bursting; Temporal Pattern Generation; Oscillations; Simplified Models; Epilepsy; Sleep; Spindles
Simulation Environment: NEURON; FORTRAN
Implementer(s): Traub, Roger D [rtraub at us.ibm.com]
References:
Traub RD et al. (2005). Single-column thalamocortical network model exhibiting gamma oscillations, sleep spindles, and epileptogenic bursts. Journal of neurophysiology. 93 [PubMed]
Traub RD, Contreras D, Whittington MA. (2005). Combined experimental/simulation studies of cellular and network mechanisms of epileptogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Journal of clinical neurophysiology : official publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society. 22 [PubMed]