Aplysia_Ink_MN

Simulation of the Aplysia ink motor neuron (L14) cell. Original description from:

Byrne JH, Analysis of Ionic Conductance Mechanisms in Motor Cells Mediating Inking Behavior in Aplysia Californica, J Neurophys, Vol. 43, No. 3, pp.630-650

Byrne JH, Quantitative Aspects of Ionic Conductance Mechanisms Contributing to Firing Pattern of Motor Cells Mediating Inking Behavior in Aplysia Californica, J Neurophys, Vol. 43, No. 3, pp.650-669

Notes:

This simulation consists of Ink_sim.g (main simulation script), ink_channels.g (ion channel descriptions) and ink_motor.p (cell description file). This model and the model results in the original paper show good (but not perfect) aggrement. One problem is that cell morphology wasn't described in the papers, so I had to guess. See ink_channels.g and ink_motor.p for more details.

Cell compartment dimensions are not given in the original papers; additionally, all conductance and capacitance values are specified explicitly rather than as a function of cell geometry. In order to make the simulation easier to work with, I assumed a single compartment cell with dimensions 100um diameter and 100um length. Original values are noted in the script comments; all cell parameters are normalized to the proper units based on the assumed cell geometry.

The original paper uses mV and msec for ion channels units. For consistency I have converted to SI units (V and seconds), hence there are correction terms in the channel definitions.

In the original paper the cells are electrically coupled. However, neither electrical coupling nor synapses are included in this version of the model.

Chris Butson, December, 2002