    This is the README for the models associated with the paper:

    Eyal G, Verhoog MB, Testa-Silva G, Deitcher Y, Lodder JC,
    Benavides-Piccione R, Morales J, De (2016) Unique membrane properties
    and enhanced signal processing in human neocortical neurons. Elife

    The files here can be used to re generate Eyal’s et al. figures 1 and
    3.

    All rights are reserved to Guy Eyal, the Hebrew University.

    Abstract:

    The advanced cognitive capabilities of the human brain are often
    attributed to our recently evolved neocortex. However, it is not known
    whether the basic building blocks of human neocortex, the pyramidal
    neurons, possess unique biophysical properties that might impact on
    cortical computations. Here we show that layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons
    from human temporal cortex (HL2/3 PCs) have a specific membrane
    capacitance (Cm) of ~0.5 µF/cm2, half of the commonly accepted
    “universal” value (~1 µF/cm2) for biological membranes. This finding
    was predicted by fitting in vitro voltage transients to theoretical
    transients then validated by direct measurement of Cm in nucleated
    patch experiments. Models of 3D reconstructed HL2/3 PCs demonstrated
    that such low Cm value significantly enhances both synaptic
    charge-transfer from dendrites to soma and spike propagation along the
    axon. This is the first demonstration that human cortical neurons have
    distinctive membrane properties, suggesting important implications for
    signal processing in human neocortex.

    This directory includes:
    1. Data of HL2/3 PCs:
    	a. Morphologies of six HL2/3 PCs.
    	b. Voltage transients from these six cells

    2. Detailed Models that were fitted to match the experimental traces

    3. Scripts to run the models and re create the figures in Eyal et al.

    To run the scripts you must:
    1. Install NEURON (https://senselab.med.yale.edu/ModelDB/NEURON_DwnldGuide.html)
    2. Install the following python libraries:
    	a. numpy
    	b. matplotlib
    	c. neuron
    3. I recommend the use of ipython to best display the figures

    contact: guy.eyal at mail.huji.ac.il

    Examples of running the model:
    ------------------------------
    Instructions are provided below for unix/linux. Please see
    https://senselab.med.yale.edu/ModelDB/NEURON_DwnldGuide.html
    for additional help on how to run under windows or on the mac.

    Change directory to Fig1 and compile the mod files by typing on the command line:

    cd Fig1
    nrnivmodl ../mechanisms

    Start the simulations with commands like:

    ipython -i Fig1a.py

    Running the above and similarly with Fig1b.py, Fig1cd.py should produce the following:

    Fig 1a inset

    Fig 1a

    Fig 1b

    Fig 1cd

    When running Fig3 simulations you can cd to the Fig3 sub-folders and for
    convenience recompile the mod files

    cd ../Fig3/Fig3a
    nrnivmodl ../../mechanisms

    Then start with a similar command as before
    ipython -i Fig3a_apic_synapse.py

    (and similarly for the other programs)

    Fig 3a

    Fig 3a bottom

    Fig 3b

    Fig 3c