An experimentally constrained computational model of NMDA oscillations in lamprey CPG neurons

J Comput Neurosci. 2008 Aug;25(1):108-21. doi: 10.1007/s10827-007-0067-1. Epub 2007 Dec 15.

Abstract

Rhythmicity is a characteristic of neural networks responsible for locomotion. In many organisms, activation of N-methyl-D: -aspartate (NMDA) receptors leads to generation of rhythmic locomotor patterns. In addition, single neurons can display intrinsic, NMDA-dependent membrane potential oscillations when pharmacologically isolated from each other by tetrodotoxin (TTX) application. Such NMDA-TTX oscillations have been characterized, for instance, in lamprey locomotor network neurons. Conceptual and computational models have been put forward to explain the appearance and characteristics of these oscillations. Here, we seek to refine the understanding of NMDA-TTX oscillations by combining new experimental evidence with computational modelling. We find that, in contrast to previous computational predictions, the oscillation frequency tends to increase when the NMDA concentration is increased. We develop a new, minimal computational model which can incorporate this new information. This model is further constrained by another new piece of experimental evidence: that regular-looking NMDA-TTX oscillations can be obtained even after voltage-dependent potassium and high-voltage-activated calcium channels have been pharmacologically blocked. Our model conforms to several experimentally derived criteria that we have set up and is robust to parameter changes, as evaluated through sensitivity analysis. We use the model to re-analyze an old NMDA-TTX oscillation model, and suggest an explanation of why it failed to reproduce the new experimental data that we present here.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Clocks
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Calcium Signaling / drug effects
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / pharmacology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Lampreys / physiology*
  • Magnesium / pharmacology
  • Membrane Potentials / drug effects
  • Membrane Potentials / physiology
  • Models, Neurological*
  • N-Methylaspartate / physiology*
  • Nerve Net / physiology*
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Nimodipine / pharmacology
  • Periodicity
  • Potassium / physiology
  • Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated / drug effects
  • Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated / physiology
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / drug effects
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / physiology
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / drug effects
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / physiology*
  • Sodium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Swimming / physiology
  • Tetraethylammonium / pharmacology
  • Tetrodotoxin / pharmacology
  • omega-Conotoxin GVIA / pharmacology

Substances

  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Sodium Channel Blockers
  • Tetrodotoxin
  • Nimodipine
  • N-Methylaspartate
  • Tetraethylammonium
  • omega-Conotoxin GVIA
  • Magnesium
  • Potassium