These model files are related to the two papers 

1. Rusakov DA, Richter-Levin G, Stewart MG, Bliss TV (1997) 
Reduction in spine density associated with long-term potentiation 
in the dentate gyrus suggests a spine fusion-and-branching model 
of potentiation. 
Hippocampus 7:489-500
2. Rusakov DA, Stewart MG, Korogod SM (1996) 
Branching of active dendritic spines as a mechanism for controlling 
synaptic efficacy. 
Neuroscience 75:315-23

This compartmental model of a hippocampal granule cell has spinous synapses
placed on the second-order dendrites.  Changes in shape and connectivity of
the spines usually does not effect the synaptic response of the cell unless
active conductances are incorporated into the spine membrane (e.g. voltage-dependent
Ca2+ channels).  With active conductances, spines can generate spike-like events.
We showed that changes like fusion and branching, or in fact any increase in the 
equivalent spine neck resistance, could trigger a dramatic increase in the spine's
influence on the dendritic shaft potential.
 

After auto-launching the model, run the parameter set desired from the control
box.

Please refer to the articles for more information
____________________________________________
 Dr. D.A. Rusakov
 Institute of Neurology
 University College London 
 Queen Square
 London WC1N 3BG, UK 

 Telephone:  44+ (0)207 837 3611 ext 4336
 Telefax:    44+ (0)207 278 5616
 e-mail:     d.rusakov@ion.ucl.ac.uk
___________________________________________

20120112 updated to use cnexp in place of euler method in cachan.mod as per
http://www.neuron.yale.edu/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=592