Hodgkin-Huxley type modelling and parameter estimation of GnRH neurons

Biosystems. 2010 Jun;100(3):198-207. doi: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2010.03.004. Epub 2010 Mar 17.

Abstract

In this paper a simple one compartment Hodgkin-Huxley type electrophysiological model of GnRH neurons is presented, that is able to reasonably reproduce the most important qualitative features of the firing pattern, such as baseline potential, depolarization amplitudes, sub-baseline hyperpolarization phenomenon and average firing frequency in response to excitatory current. In addition, the same model provides an acceptable numerical fit of voltage clamp (VC) measurement results. The parameters of the model have been estimated using averaged VC traces, and characteristic values of measured current clamp traces originating from GnRH neurons in hypothalamic slices. The resulting parameter values show a good agreement with literature data in most of the cases. Applying parametric changes, which lead to the increase of baseline potential and enhance cell excitability, the model becomes capable of bursting. The effects of various parameters to burst length have been analyzed by simulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Animals
  • Calcium Signaling
  • Electrophysiological Phenomena
  • Female
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / physiology*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Hypothalamus / cytology
  • Hypothalamus / physiology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Models, Neurological*
  • Neuroendocrine Cells / physiology
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Potassium / metabolism
  • Systems Biology

Substances

  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Potassium