Cooperation of intrinsic bursting and calcium oscillations underlying activity patterns of model pre-Bötzinger complex neurons.
Activity of neurons in the pre-Bötzinger complex (pre-BötC) within the mammalian brainstem drives the inspiratory phase of the respiratory rhythm. Experimental results have suggested that multiple bursting mechanisms based on a calcium-activated nonspecific cationic (CAN) current, a persistent sodium (NaP) current, and calcium dynamics may be incorporated within the pre-BötC. Previous modeling works have incorporated representations of some or all of these mechanisms. In this study, we consider a single-compartment model of a pre-BötC inspiratory neuron that encompasses particular aspects of all of these features. We present a novel mathematical analysis of the interaction of the corresponding rhythmic mechanisms arising in the model, including square-wave bursting and autonomous calcium oscillations, which requires treatment of a system of differential equations incorporating three slow variables.
Department of Mathematics and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, 301 Thackeray Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. cspark@pitt.edu
Choongseok
C
Park
Jonathan E
JE
Rubin
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D012125:Respiratory Center / Q000166:cytology*