MODELING NONLINEAR INTEGRATION OF SYNAPTIC SIGNALS BY NEURONS

Neurones with active conductance on dendrites integrate synaptic signa ls and modulate generation of axon spikes in a nonlinear way. Owing to experimental difficulties, modelling provides invaluable insight for the comprehension of neurone behaviour particularly when dendrites are excitable. We used experimental data obtained for the Anterior Gastri c Receptor neurone (AGR neurone), which controls the lobster gastric m ill activity, to derive a set of partial differential equations for th e membrane voltage. Simulation showed that upon varying the intensity of stimulation on the dendrite, the response pattern between dendrites and axon activity continuously changes. In addition, when only half o f the dendritic tree is active, axon firing exhibits regular oscillati ons and bursting activity. We discuss these results in relation with t he experimental work done on the AGR neurone.