Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuronal model (Kovalsky et al. 2009)

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Accession:140038
This model, diverged from oscillatory parameters seen in live cells and failed to produce characteristic ectopic discharge patterns. Here we show that use of a more complete set of Na+ conductances--which includes several delayed components--enables simulation of the entire repertoire of oscillation-triggered electrogenic phenomena seen in live dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. This includes a physiological window of induction and natural patterns of spike discharge. An INa+ component at 2-20 ms was particularly important, even though it represented only a tiny fraction of overall INa+ amplitude. With the addition of a delayed rectifier IK+ the singlet firing seen in some DRG neurons can also be simulated. The model reveals the key conductances that underlie afferent ectopia, conductances that are potentially attractive targets in the search for more effective treatments of neuropathic pain.
Reference:
1 . Kovalsky Y, Amir R, Devor M (2009) Simulation in sensory neurons reveals a key role for delayed Na+ current in subthreshold oscillations and ectopic discharge: implications for neuropathic pain. J Neurophysiol 102:1430-42 [PubMed]
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Model Information (Click on a link to find other models with that property)
Model Type: Neuron or other electrically excitable cell;
Brain Region(s)/Organism:
Cell Type(s): Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) cell;
Channel(s): I K; I Sodium; Late Na;
Gap Junctions:
Receptor(s):
Gene(s):
Transmitter(s):
Simulation Environment: NEURON;
Model Concept(s): Bursting; Ion Channel Kinetics; Pathophysiology;
Implementer(s): Devor, Marshall [marshlu at vms.huji.ac.il];
Search NeuronDB for information about:  I K; I Sodium; Late Na; 
Readme.txt file for the model associated with the papers

Kovalsky Y, Amir R, Devor M. Simulation in sensory neurons reveals a
key role for delayed Na+ current in subthreshold oscillations and
ectopic discharge: implications for neuropathic pain.
J Neurophysiol. 2009 Sep;102(3):1430-42. Epub 2009 Jul 1.

Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Life
Sciences, Center for Research on Pain, Hebrew University of Jerusalem,
Givat Ram, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.

Other usage: download and expand the arhive (zip file) on your
machine.  Use nrnivmodl (unix) or mknrndll (mswin or mac) to compile
the mod file.

Then execute

nrngui DRG_model_Kovalsky_etal.hoc
on the command line in unix 

or double click on the DRG_model_Kovalsky_etal.hoc file
(mac or mswin).