A computational study of the role of spike broadening in synaptic facilitation of Hermissenda

J Comput Neurosci. 2003 Jul-Aug;15(1):29-41. doi: 10.1023/a:1024418701765.

Abstract

Pavlovian conditioning in Hermissenda produces a decrease in voltage-dependent (I(K,A) and I(Ca)) and Ca2+-dependent (I(K,Ca)) currents, and an increase in the action potential (AP) duration in type B-photoreceptors. In addition, synaptic connections between B and A photoreceptors and B photoreceptor and type I interneurons are facilitated. The increase in AP duration, produced by decreasing one or more K+ currents, may account for synaptic facilitation. The present study examined this issue by using a mathematical model of the B-photoreceptor and the neurosimulator SNNAP. In the model, decreasing g(K,A) by 70% increased the duration of the AP in the terminal by 41% and Ca2+ influx by 30%. However, if the decrease in g(K,A) was combined with a decrease in g(Ca), similar to what has been reported experimentally, the Ca2+ influx decreased by 54%. Therefore, the concomitant change in I(Ca) counter-acted the broadening-induced increase in Ca2+ influx in the synaptic terminal. This result suggests that a spike-duration independent process must contribute to the synaptic facilitation observed following Pavlovian conditioning.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Animals
  • Axons / physiology
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism*
  • Conditioning, Classical / physiology
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology
  • Interneurons / physiology
  • Mathematics
  • Models, Neurological
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Mollusca*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Photoreceptor Cells, Invertebrate / physiology*
  • Photoreceptor Cells, Invertebrate / ultrastructure
  • Potassium Channels / metabolism*
  • Synapses / metabolism
  • Synapses / physiology*
  • Synaptic Transmission*

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Potassium Channels