"We describe a simple conductance-based model neuron that includes intra and extracellular ion concentration dynamics and show that this model exhibits periodic bursting. The bursting arises as the fast-spiking behavior of the neuron is modulated by the slow oscillatory behavior in the ion concentration variables and vice versa. By separating these time scales and studying the bifurcation structure of the neuron, we catalog several qualitatively different bursting profiles that are strikingly similar to those seen in experimental preparations. Our work suggests that ion concentration dynamics may play an important role in modulating neuronal excitability in real biological systems."

Model Type: Neuron or other electrically excitable cell

Region(s) or Organism(s): Generic

Cell Type(s): Hodgkin-Huxley neuron

Model Concept(s): Bursting; Oscillations; Simplified Models; Depolarization block

Simulation Environment: C or C++ program; XPPAUT

Implementer(s): Barreto, Ernest

References:

Barreto E, Cressman JR. (2011). Ion concentration dynamics as a mechanism for neuronal bursting. Journal of biological physics. 37 [PubMed]