Modelling reduced excitability in aged CA1 neurons as a calcium-dependent process

  • Authors:

  • Maria Markaki;Stelios Orphanoudakis;Panayiota Poirazi

  • Affiliations:

  • Department of Computer Science, University of Crete and Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), Vassilika Vouton, P.O. Box 1385, GR 711 10 Heraklion ...;Department of Computer Science, University of Crete and Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), Vassilika Vouton, P.O. Box 1385, GR 711 10 Heraklion ...;Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), Vassilika Vouton, P.O. Box 1527, GR 711 10 Heraklion, Crete, Greece

  • Venue:
  • Neurocomputing
  • Year:
  • 2005

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Abstract

We use a multi-compartmental model of a CA1 pyramidal cell to study changes in hippocampal excitability that result from aging-induced alterations in calcium-dependent membrane mechanisms. The model incorporates N- and L-type calcium channels which are respectively coupled to fast and slow afterhyperpolarization potassium channels. Model parameters are calibrated using physiological data. Computer simulations reproduce the decreased excitability of aged CA1 cells, which results from increased internal calcium accumulation, subsequently larger postburst slow afterhyperpolarization, and enhanced spike frequency adaptation. We find that aging-induced alterations in CA1 excitability can be modelled with simple coupling mechanisms that selectively link specific types of calcium channels to specific calcium-dependent potassium channels.