Excitability of the soma in central nervous system neurons (Safronov et al 2000)

The ability of the soma of a spinal dorsal horn neuron, a spinal ventral horn neuron, and a hippocampal pyramidal neuron to generate action potentials was studied using experiments and computer simulations. By comparing recordings ... of a dorsal horn neuron with simulated responses, it was shown that computer models can be adequate for the study of somatic excitability. The modeled somata of both spinal neurons were unable to generate action potentials, showing only passive and local responses to current injections. ... In contrast to spinal neurons, the modeled soma of the hippocampal pyramidal neuron generated spikes with an overshoot of +9 mV. It is concluded that the somata of spinal neurons cannot generate action potentials and seem to resist their propagation from the axon to dendrites. ... See paper for more and details.

Model Type: Neuron or other electrically excitable cell

Cell Type(s): Spinal cord lumbar motor neuron alpha ACh cell

Currents: I Na,t; I A; I K

Model Concept(s): Action Potential Initiation; Ion Channel Kinetics; Action Potentials

Simulation Environment: NEURON

Implementer(s): Safronov, Boris [safronov at ibmc.up.pt]

References:

Safronov BV, Wolff M, Vogel W. (2000). Excitability of the soma in central nervous system neurons. Biophysical journal. 78 [PubMed]