ABSTRACT

Here we present a novel application of stage-structured population modelling to explore the properties of neuronal dendrites with spines. Dendritic spines are small protrusions that emanate from the dendritic shaft of several functionally important neurons in the cerebral cortex. They are the postsynaptic sites of over 90% of excitatory synapses in the mammalian brain. Here, we formulate a stage-structured population model of a passive dendrite with activity-dependent spines using a continuum approach. This computational study models three dynamic populations of activity-dependent spine types, corresponding to the anatomical categories of stubby, mushroom, and thin spines. In this stage-structured population model, transitions between spine type populations are driven by calcium levels that depend on local electrical activity. We explore the influence of the changing spine populations and spine types on the development of electrical propagation pathways in response to repetitive synaptic input, and which input frequencies are best for facilitating these pathways.

摘要

在这里，我们提出了阶段结构种群建模的新应用，以探索带刺的神经元树突的特性。树突棘是从大脑皮层中几个具有重要功能的神经元的树突轴发出的小突起。它们是哺乳动物大脑中超过 90% 的兴奋性突触的突触后位点。在这里，我们使用连续方法制定了具有活动依赖性刺的被动树突的阶段结构种群模型。这项计算研究模拟了三个动态依赖于活动的脊椎类型，对应于粗刺、蘑菇和细刺的解剖学类别。在这个阶段结构的种群模型中，脊柱类型种群之间的转变是由依赖于局部电活动的钙水平驱​​动的。