We construct and analyze a single-compartment, conductance-based model of vibrissa motoneurons. Low firing rates are supported in extended regimes by adaptation currents and the minimal firing rate decreases with the persistent sodium conductance gNaP and increases with M-potassium and h-cation conductances. Suprathreshold resonance results from the locking properties of vMN firing to stimuli and from reduction of firing rates at low frequencies by slow M and afterhyperpolarization potassium conductances. h conductance only slightly affects the suprathreshold resonance. When a vMN is subjected to a small periodic CPG input, serotonergically induced gNaP elevation may transfer the system from quiescence to a firing state that is highly locked to the CPG input.
Model Type: Neuron or other electrically excitable cell
Cell Type(s): Vibrissa motoneuron
Currents: I Na,p; I Na,t; I K; I M; I h; I_AHP
Transmitters: Serotonin
Model Concept(s): Locking, mixed mode
Simulation Environment: XPPAUT
Implementer(s): Golomb, David [golomb at bgu.ac.il]; Harish, Omri [omriharish at gmail.com]
References:
Harish O, Golomb D. (2010). Control of the firing patterns of vibrissa motoneurons by modulatory and phasic synaptic inputs: a modeling study. Journal of neurophysiology. 103 [PubMed]