title: A model of cooperative effect of AMPA and NMDA receptors in glutamatergic synapses.
abstract: Glutamatergic synapses play a pivotal role in brain excitation. The synaptic response is mediated by the activity of two receptor types (AMPA and NMDA). In the present paper we propose a model of glutamatergic synaptic activity where the fast current generated by the AMPA conductance produces a local depolarization which activates the voltage- and [Mg(2+)]-dependent NMDA conductance. This cooperative effect is dependent on the biophysical properties of the synaptic spine which can be considered a high input resistance specialized compartment. Herein we present results of simulations where different values of the spine resistance and of the Mg(2+) concentrations determine different levels of cooperativeness between AMPA and NMDA receptors in shaping the post-synaptic response.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Scienze Applicate e Sistemi Intelligenti, c/o Complesso Olivetti, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, NA Italy.
authors.forename: Vito
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3331-8771
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Di Maio
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Scienze Applicate e Sistemi Intelligenti, c/o Complesso Olivetti, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, NA Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ventriglia
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Scienze Applicate e Sistemi Intelligenti, c/o Complesso Olivetti, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, NA Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Santillo
keywords: AMPA; Glutamatergic synapse; Membrane resistance; NMDA; Synaptic model; Synaptic plasticity