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AN ELECTRODIFFUSION MODEL FOR ION MOTION IN DENDRITIC SPINES
C.L.Lopreore1*; T.M.Bartol1; T.J.Sejnowski1,2,3
1. Computational Neurobiology Lab., Salk Inst, La Jolla, CA, USA
2. Biol., Univ. of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
3. Howard Hughes Med. Inst., Chevy Chase, MD, USA
A computational model for electrodiffusion is important for calculating membrane potentials as well as
computing ionic concentrations. This is especially true in small compartments, such as dendritic spines on
pyramidal cells, where cable models of electrical conduction fail. Preliminary results are presented from a
realistic computer model of calcium dynamics and signal transduction. The algorithm uses MCell, a program
that uses highly optimized Monte Carlo algorithms to track the stochastic behavior of discrete molecules
coupled to a finite-volume method where evaluation of the electric profiles take place. A three-dimensional
finite-volume grid will be constructed using NWGrid, a computational package used for mesh generation. The
Nernst-Planck equation was solved to study the motion of ions in an electric field, incorporating experimental
electrophysiological data to model the voltage-dependent ion channels. The ultimate goal was to study the
function and importance of a variety of signaling pathways in dendrites.
Support Contributed By: Sloan-Swartz Foundation for Theoretical Neurobiology, NIH P01 NS044306, NIH
R01 GM068630
Citation:C.L. Lopreore, T.M. Bartol, T.J. Sejnowski. AN ELECTRODIFFUSION MODEL FOR ION
MOTION IN DENDRITIC SPINES Program No. 849.11. 2004 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner.
Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2004. Online.
2004 Copyright by the Society for Neuroscience all rights reserved. Permission to republish any
abstract or part of any abstract in any form must be obtained in writing from the SfN office prior to
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