This model is associated with the paper: Bartos M, Vida I, Frotscher M, Meyer A, Monyer H, Geiger JR, Jonas P (2002) Fast synaptic inhibition promotes synchronized gamma oscillations in hippocampal interneuron networks. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99:13222-7 Abstract: Networks of GABAergic interneurons are of critical importance for the generation of gamma frequency oscillations in the brain. To examine the underlying synaptic mechanisms, we made paired recordings from basket cell (BCs) in different subfields of hippocampal slices, using transgenic mice that express enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of the parvalbumin promoter. Unitary inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) showed large amplitude and fast time course with mean amplitude weighted decay time constants of 2.5, 1.2, and 1.8 ms in the dentate gyrus, and the cornu ammonis area 3 (CA3) and 1 (CA1), respectively (33-34°C). The decay of unitary IPSCs at BC-BC synapses was significantly faster than that at BC-principal cell synapses, indicating target cell-specific differences in IPSC kinetics. In addition, electrical coupling was found in a subset of BC-BC pairs. To examine whether an interneuron network with fast inhibitory synapses can act as a gamma frequency oscillator, we developed an interneuron network model based on experimentally determined properties. In comparison to previous interneuron network models, our model was able to generate oscillatory activity with higher coherence over a broad range of frequencies (20-110 Hz). In this model, high coherence and flexibility in frequency control emerge from the combination of synaptic properties, network structure, and electrical coupling. Excerpt from the paper describing the network architecture: ... A structured interneuron network was assembled from 200 neurons arranged on the circumference of a ring with 50 um spacing, a simple representation that avoids edge effects. Each neuron was randomly connected to its 100 nearest neighbors by chemical synapses; the connection probability was given by a Gaussian function with a standard deviation of 24 cell-cell distances and an average connection probability of 0.57. This connectivity was consistent with published anatomical data (ref. 29; see also ref. 12). The conduction time was calculated from the distance between pre- and postsynaptic cells along the circumference. ... Furthermore, each neuron was randomly connected to its eight nearest neighbors by electrical synapses with a connection probability of 0.5. ... see paper for more! The model files reproduce images similar to those in fig 3 (takes about 30 seconds on an 800 MHz IBM compatible). To generate fig 3A(B) set Imu=1(5) in netring.hoc and run nrngui mosinit.hoc again. Note: to generate runs as similar to the paper as possible look at tstop comment to change tstop and also change dt to 0.01 (as shown in netring.hoc). (will take longer to run). The model uses a random number generator so that the figures you generate will always be slightly different than the paper. To run the model auto-launch from ModelDB or download the zip file and extract and setup in the usual way for your Mac, PC, or Unix system. This involves compiling the mechanisms with mknrndll (PC or MAC), or nrnivmodl (unix), and then run nrngui mosinit.hoc.