Dynamics of Spike Initiation (Prescott et al. 2008)

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Accession:116123
"Transduction of graded synaptic input into trains of all-or-none action potentials (spikes) is a crucial step in neural coding. Hodgkin identified three classes of neurons with qualitatively different analog-to-digital transduction properties. Despite widespread use of this classification scheme, a generalizable explanation of its biophysical basis has not been described. We recorded from spinal sensory neurons representing each class and reproduced their transduction properties in a minimal model. With phase plane and bifurcation analysis, each class of excitability was shown to derive from distinct spike initiating dynamics. Excitability could be converted between all three classes by varying single parameters; moreover, several parameters, when varied one at a time, had functionally equivalent effects on excitability. From this, we conclude that the spike-initiating dynamics associated with each of Hodgkin’s classes represent different outcomes in a nonlinear competition between oppositely directed, kinetically mismatched currents. ..."
Reference:
1 . Prescott SA, De Koninck Y, Sejnowski TJ (2008) Biophysical basis for three distinct dynamical mechanisms of action potential initiation. PLoS Comput Biol 4:e1000198 [PubMed]
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): Abstract Morris-Lecar neuron;
Channel(s):
Gap Junctions:
Receptor(s):
Gene(s):
Transmitter(s):
Simulation Environment: XPP;
Model Concept(s): Action Potential Initiation; Simplified Models; Bifurcation; Sensory coding;
Implementer(s): Prescott, Steven [steve.prescott at sickkids.ca]];
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prescottEtAl2008
readme.html
2d-ML.ode
3d-ML.ode
                            
# Modified Morris-Lecar model 
# modified from ml_salka.ode

dV/dt = (i_dc-gna*minf(V)*(V-Vna)-gk*y*(V-VK)-gl*(V-Vl)-gsub*z*(V-Vsub))/c
dy/dt = phi_y*(yinf(V)-y)/tauy(V)
dz/dt = phi_z*(zinf(V)-z)/tauz(V)
param c=2

# HERE IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE STIMULuS

# DC OFFSET 
# this is controlled by i_dc
param i_dc=0

## noise not included here.  
## To add it, uncomment lines below by removing one "#" per line, and add "i_noise" to line 3 (dv/dt=...) above
## NOISE
## This is modeled as an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process, gives new noise on each trial
## Here is the Wiener variable
#wiener nz
## With scale=0 you get no noise 
## effects of changing dt are automatically controlled for in XPP
## However, variance of i_noise also depends on tau_inoise (variance = sigma^2*tau/2) 
## Therefore, if you want to keep the same variance, you must manually change sigma_inoise if you change tau_inoise 
#di_noise/dt=-1/tau_inoise*(i_noise-i_avg)+sigma*nz
#param sigma=0, tau_inoise=5, i_avg=0

## frozen noise can be repeated on multiple trials by saving i_noise to a .tab file and playing it back
## see xpp documentation about tables

# HERE IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT INTRINSIC CURRENTS
# Initial conditions
V(0)=-70
y(0)=0.000025
z(0)=0
# if you want to make sure initial conditions are at steady state
# run trial with no stim, then select "initial conditions/last" from main menu... this will start you at the conditions at the end of your previous trial

# FAST INWARD CURRENT (INa or activation variable)
# This is assumed to activate instantaneously with changes in voltage
# voltage-dependent activation curve is described by m
minf(V)=.5*(1+tanh((V-beta_m)/gamma_m))
# maximal conductance and reversal potential
param beta_m=-1.2, gamma_m=18
param gna=20, vna=50

# DELAYED RECTIFIER CURRENT (IKdr or recovery variable)
# this current activates more slowly than INa, but is still faster than Isub or Iadapt (not included here)
# In this code, activation of IKdr is controlled by y
yinf(V)=.5*(1+tanh((V-beta_y)/gamma_y))
tauy(V)=1/cosh((V-beta_y)/(2*gamma_y))
# in the 2D model, varying beta_w shifts the w activation curve (w=y here) and can convert the neuron between class 1, 2, and 3 
param beta_y=-10, gamma_y=10
# maximal conductance and reversal potential
param gk=20, vk=-100, phi_y=0.15

# LEAK CURRENT (Il)
# just a passive leak conductance
param gl=2, vl=-70

# SLOW SUBTHRESHOLD INWARD OR OUTWARD CURRENT (Isub)
zinf(V)=.5*(1+tanh((V-beta_z)/gamma_z))
tauz(V)=1/cosh((V-beta_z)/(2*gamma_z))
param beta_z=-21, gamma_z=15
# parameters below are for outward current
param gsub=7, Vsub=-100, phi_z=0.15
# for inward current, change to gsub=3, Vsub=50, phi_z=0.5
# these parameters for Isub correspond to those used in Figure 4 of the paper

# slow adaptation is not included in this 3D model.

# following parameters control duration of simulation and axes of default plot
@ total=100000,dt=.1,xlo=-100,xhi=60,ylo=-.125,yhi=.6,xp=v,yp=y
@ meth=euler
@ MAXSTOR=1000000

done

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