title: Using a computational model to analyze the effects of firing frequency on synchrony of a network of gap junction-coupled hypoglossal motoneurons.
abstract: Hypoglossal motoneurons (HMs) are located in the brainstem and play an important role in the maintenance of upper airway patency. HMs are known to be coupled to one another via gap junctions and exhibit synchronous firing behavior when driven by premotor inputs. In the current study, we used a computational model to analyze the influence of firing frequency on synchronous firing behavior of a network of gap junction-coupled HMs. As there are many factors that can influence excitability and firing frequency of HMs, our simulations were focused on the effects of modulation of SK channel conductance and the magnitude of the input currents as a means of modifying firing frequency. Our simulations revealed that regardless of the mechanism by which firing frequency was modulated, increasing the firing frequency disrupted the synchrony in gap junction-coupled HM networks with low, medium, and high levels of gap junction coupling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Heraldo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Memelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Kyle G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Horn
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Larry D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Wittie
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA. Electronic address: irene.solomon@stonybrook.edu.
authors.forename: Irene C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Solomon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007002:Hypoglossal Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: computational model; coupling; firing frequency; gap junctions; hypoglossal motoneurons; network synchrony