Simulating the temporal evolution of neuronal discharge

Computer simulation was employed to explore the discharge behavior of one- and two-compartment models of a cerebellar Purkinje cell in response to cli mbing fiber and current pulse stimulation. We could not find a unique param eter set for any model that replicated the full temporal detail of reported discharge patterns. However, simplified composite models gave a better mat ch than those employing Hodgkin-Huxley (HH)-type conductances. The better m atch achieved by the simpler models suggests that the composite level of de scription is well suited to simulation of the temporal detail required for the realistic simulation of large-scale neuronal networks. (C) 2000 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.