"Burst firing in medial substantia nigra dopamine (mSN DA) neurons has been selectively linked to novelty-induced exploration behavior in mice. Burst firing in mSN DA neurons, in contrast to lateral SN DA neurons, requires functional ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K-ATP) both in vitro and in vivo. However, the precise role of K-ATP channels in promoting burst firing is un-known. We show experimentally that L-type calcium channel activity in mSN DA neurons en-hances open probability of K-ATP channels. We then generated a mathematical model to study the role of Ca2+ dynamics driving K-ATP channel function in mSN DA neurons during bursting. ..."

Model Type: Neuron or other electrically excitable cell

Region(s) or Organism(s): Basal ganglia

Cell Type(s): Substantia nigra pars compacta DA cell

Currents: ATP-senstive potassium current; I Calcium; I Sodium; Ca pump; I K

Receptors: NMDA

Model Concept(s): Calcium dynamics; Ion Channel Kinetics; Bursting

Simulation Environment: C or C++ program

Implementer(s): Canavier, CC; Knowlton, Christopher [cknow1 at lsuhsc.edu]

References:

Knowlton C, Kutterer S, Roeper J, Canavier CC. (2018). Calcium dynamics control K-ATP channel-mediated bursting in substantia nigra dopamine neurons: a combined experimental and modeling study. Journal of neurophysiology. 119 [PubMed]