Cable equation and dendritic modeling
The main communication between two neurons is achieved via axo-dendritic
synapses located at the top of the dendritic spines that are typical for the cortical
neurons. It is known that the dendritic postsynaptic membranes convert the
neuromediator signal into postsynaptic electric current. The neuromediator
molecules bind to specific postsynaptic ion channels and open their gates. The
ion species that enter the dendritic cytoplasm change the membrane potential.
The dendritic projections could be modeled as electric cables. That is the electric
impulses decrement as they are transmitted by the dendrites. The neuronal
membrane could be replaced with equivalent electric schema that takes into
account only the passive properties of the membrane.
Fig. 8 Equivalent electric schema ofpassive neuronal membrane.
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