Ionic conductances underlying excitability in tonically firing neurons (TFNs) from substantia gelatinosa (SG) were studied by the patch-clamp method in rat spinal cord slices. ... Suppression of Ca2+ and KCA currents ... did not abolish the basic pattern of tonic firing, indicating that it was generated by voltage-gated Na+ and K+ currents. ... on the basis of present data, we created a model of TFN and showed that Na+ and KDR currents are sufficient to generate a basic pattern of tonic firing. It is concluded that the balanced contribution of all ionic conductances described here is important for generation and modulation of tonic firing in SG neurons. See paper for more and details.
Model Type: Neuron or other electrically excitable cell
Model Concept(s): Activity Patterns
Simulation Environment: NEURON
Implementer(s): Safronov, Boris [safronov at ibmc.up.pt]
References:
Melnick IV, Santos SF, Szokol K, Szûcs P, Safronov BV. (2004). Ionic basis of tonic firing in spinal substantia gelatinosa neurons of rat. Journal of neurophysiology. 91 [PubMed]