The work describes a model of how transient calcium and dopamine inputs might affect phosphorylation of DARPP-32 in the medium spiny neurons in the striatum. The model is relevant for understanding both the "three-factor rule" for synaptic plasticity in corticostriatal synapses, and also for relating reinforcement learning theories to biology.
Model Type: Molecular Network
Cell Type(s): Neostriatum medium spiny direct pathway GABA cell
Currents: I Calcium
Transmitters: Dopamine
Model Concept(s): Long-term Synaptic Plasticity; Signaling pathways; Reinforcement Learning
Simulation Environment: XPPAUT
References:
Lindskog M, Kim M, Wikström MA, Blackwell KT, Kotaleski JH. (2006). Transient calcium and dopamine increase PKA activity and DARPP-32 phosphorylation. PLoS computational biology. 2 [PubMed]